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Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
14:04

Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria

Published on: May 8, 2013

The emergence of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among injecting drug users

S R Atkinson1, J Paul, E Sloan

  • 1Microbiology, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Road, Brighton BN2 5BE, UK.

The Journal of Infection
|April 7, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections increased in injecting drug users (IDUs) from 2000-2008, with a shift to a specific MRSA clone. Despite rising MRSA, IDU hospital visits for infection decreased.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Injecting drug users (IDUs) are a population with unique healthcare needs and potential risk factors for infections.
  • Previous studies in Brighton indicated a low prevalence of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in IDUs.
  • An observed increase in MRSA infections necessitates further investigation into the clinical epidemiology and molecular characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify the rise in MRSA infections among IDUs.
  • To analyze the genetic makeup and clinical presentation of MRSA isolates in IDUs.
  • To compare current findings with historical data to understand the evolving landscape of MRSA in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Collection of Staphylococcus aureus isolates and clinical data from IDUs between 2006 and 2008.
  • Characterization of isolates using antibiotic susceptibility testing, multilocus-sequence typing (MLST), and spa typing.
  • Comparison of molecular epidemiology and clinical presentation patterns with data from 1999-2000 and 2000-2003.

Main Results:

  • MRSA prevalence among clinical isolates from IDUs rose significantly from 0% (1999-2000) and 7% (2000-2003) to 49% (2006-2008).
  • Despite the increase in MRSA, monthly hospital attendances by IDUs for infection treatment declined from 3.2 to 1.1.
  • MLST revealed a dominance of a single MRSA clone, ST1, replacing previously observed epidemic hospital-associated strains.

Conclusions:

  • A notable increase in community-associated MRSA was observed in IDUs between 2000-2003 and 2006-2008.
  • IDUs may serve as a reservoir and potential focus for the emergence and spread of resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains.
  • The shift in MRSA epidemiology within the IDU population warrants continued surveillance and targeted interventions.

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