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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Published on: February 9, 2011
[Community acquired infections with methicillin resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus: report of five cases]
Luis Miguel Noriega1, Patricia González, Juan Carlos Hormazábal
1Unidad de Infectología y Departamento de Medicina, Clínica Alemana, Santiago, Chile. lnoriega@alemana.cl
Abstract:
Community acquired infections with methicillin resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections have a more aggressive clinical course and involve mostly skin and lungs. These infections appear as outbreaks among prisoners, sportsmen, men having sex with men and military personnel. The higher aggressiveness of these strains is due to the production of several toxins, mainly Panton- Valentine leukocidine. The detection of the gene that codes for this toxin is a distinctive feature of these strains. We report five patients with community acquired MRSA infections. The clinical presentation was a skin infection in all. One patient had a pleuropneumonia in addition. Apart for resistance to beta-lactam antimicrobials, the strains were resistant to erythromycin and ciprofloxacin. Patients were treated with vancomycin, clotrimoxazole or intravenous clindamycin with a good evolution. An epidemiological surveillance for community acquired MRSA strain infections should be started and measures to adequately treat infected patients and avoid dissemination should be implemented.
Insights
Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are aggressive, often affecting skin and lungs. Early detection and surveillance are crucial for managing these resistant bacterial strains.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections present with aggressive clinical courses, primarily affecting skin and lungs.
- Outbreaks of CA-MRSA are observed in specific populations including prisoners, athletes, men who have sex with men, and military personnel.
- The increased virulence of CA-MRSA is attributed to toxins like Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), with its gene serving as a key identifier.
Observation:
- This report details five patients with CA-MRSA infections, all presenting with skin infections.
- One patient also developed pleuropneumonia.
- Isolates exhibited resistance to beta-lactam antimicrobials, erythromycin, and ciprofloxacin.
Findings:
- CA-MRSA strains identified in these patients were resistant to multiple antibiotics beyond beta-lactams.
- The presence of specific toxin genes, like PVL, contributes to the aggressive nature of these infections.
- Treatment with vancomycin, clotrimoxazole, or intravenous clindamycin resulted in favorable patient outcomes.
Implications:
- Implementing epidemiological surveillance for CA-MRSA infections is recommended.
- Developing effective treatment strategies and control measures is essential to prevent the dissemination of CA-MRSA.
- Understanding the genetic basis and clinical presentation of CA-MRSA is vital for public health interventions.
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