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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
12:18

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Published on: February 9, 2011

Characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus infections, Chicago Pediatric Hospital

Preeti Jaggi1, Suzanne M Paule, Lance R Peterson

  • 1Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|May 8, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Community-associated Staphylococcus aureus strains in children were studied. The Panton-Valentine leukocidin toxin was analyzed, revealing the emergence of USA400 and USA300 clones.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is a significant pathogen in children.
  • Understanding the molecular epidemiology of CA-MRSA is crucial for infection control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the characteristics of invasive and skin CA-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) isolates from children.
  • To compare these isolates with invasive CA-methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (CA-MSSA) strains.
  • To identify the presence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) in these isolates.

Main Methods:

  • Isolates of invasive and skin CA-MRSA from children were collected between 2000-2004.
  • These isolates were matched with invasive CA-MSSA strains from the same period.
  • Analysis included testing for the presence of the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) toxin.

Main Results:

  • The study identified specific lineages of CA-MRSA circulating in children.
  • A USA400 lineage clone (n=6) was identified.
  • The predominant USA300 lineage clone also emerged during the study period.

Conclusions:

  • The findings highlight the emergence and prevalence of specific CA-MRSA clones, USA400 and USA300, in pediatric infections.
  • Panton-Valentine leukocidin appears to be associated with these emerging clones.
  • This information is vital for tracking and managing MRSA infections in children.

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