Risk factors for specific methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clones in a Korean hospital

Dong Taek Cho1, Hwa Yun Cha, Hyun-Ha Chang

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu 700-422, Korea.

Abstract

Insights

Two main types of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) cause hospital infections. Different patient care factors are linked to each MRSA clonal type, ST239 and ST5, impacting treatment and outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Nosocomial infections pose a significant threat in healthcare settings.
  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of hospital-acquired infections.
  • Understanding the epidemiology of different MRSA strains is crucial for effective control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the risk factors associated with nosocomial infections caused by distinct clonal types of MRSA.
  • To differentiate the epidemiological characteristics of predominant MRSA clones.

Main Methods:

  • Molecular typing techniques were employed to determine the clonal types of 134 nosocomial MRSA isolates.
  • Retrospective analysis of medical records for 90 patients with documented MRSA infections.

Main Results:

  • Two predominant MRSA clones, ST239 (75 isolates) and ST5 (39 isolates), constituted 85% of all isolates.
  • Risk factors for ST239 infection included management in orthopaedic, neurosurgery, and plastic surgery departments.
  • Intravascular catheter use was a risk factor for ST5 infection, which was also associated with higher rates of pulmonary infection and longer antimicrobial therapy durations.

Conclusions:

  • ST239 and ST5 are the dominant MRSA clones in the studied hospital.
  • Significant differences in risk factors exist between ST239 and ST5 MRSA infections.
  • Findings support the design of prospective epidemiological studies focusing on MRSA clonal types.

Related Concept Videos

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA01:25

Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria arises when microorganisms evolve the ability to withstand drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This phenomenon, driven by genetic change and selection under antibiotic exposure, poses a profound threat to modern medicine. Mechanisms include drug-inactivating enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), efflux pumps that eject antibiotics, mutations altering antibiotic targets, decreased drug uptake, and acquisition...
Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
Development of Antibiotic Resistance01:30

Development of Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern that arises when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotic treatments. This resistance can be intrinsic, acquired through genetic mutations, or transferred between bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. The development of antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges in treating bacterial infections and necessitates ongoing research to develop new therapeutic strategies.Intrinsic resistance occurs when bacterial...
Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic01:26

Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur in a healthcare facility while a person receives care for another ailment. This category also includes work-related infections among healthcare staff.
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies. Common...