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Community-associated Staphylococcus aureus infections and nasal carriage among children: molecular microbial data and

G Sdougkos1, V Chini, D A Papanastasiou

  • 1Department of Orthopaedics, Karamandaneion Children's Hospital, Patras, Greece.

Clinical Microbiology and Infection : the Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
|September 24, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections carrying Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes are spreading among children in Greece. These skin infections can become invasive, with nasal carriage being a contributing factor.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Increasing incidence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections in Greece.
  • Need to understand the epidemiology and characteristics of these infections, particularly in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus infections, focusing on PVL-positive CA-MRSA in Greek children.
  • To identify risk factors and clinical presentations associated with these infections.

Main Methods:

  • Molecular investigation of MecA, PVL, and superantigen genes in S. aureus isolates from patients and nasal carriage studies.
  • Recording and statistical analysis of infection sites, laboratory findings, and patient demographics.

Main Results:

  • PVL genes were prevalent in S. aureus isolates, especially in MRSA strains (93%) and skin/soft-tissue infections (SSTIs).
  • PVL-positive CA-MRSA, particularly CC80 clone, spread easily among children, with higher leukocyte counts in MRSA infections.
  • Methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) predominated in invasive infections; children under 5 had a higher risk of MRSA infection.

Conclusions:

  • PVL-positive CA-MRSA infections are a significant concern in Greek children, with SSTIs posing a risk for invasive disease.
  • Nasal colonization with S. aureus may contribute to the emergence and spread of CA-MRSA.
  • Early identification and understanding of transmission dynamics are crucial for infection control.

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