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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Published on: February 9, 2011
Community-acquired meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Palestine
Maha H Kaibni1, Mohammad A Farraj1, Kamel Adwan2
1Master Program in Clinical Laboratory Science (MCLS), Birzeit University, Birzeit, Palestine.
Abstract:
Community-acquired meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is becoming an important public-health problem. This study attempted to investigate S. aureus and MRSA colonization in nasal swabs obtained from 843 patients without a history of hospitalization at the time of hospital admission and from 72 health-care workers chosen for comparison. Of the patients, S. aureus was detected in 218/843 (25.9%) and MRSA in 17/843 (2.0%). Of the health-care workers, S. aureus was detected in 15/72 (20.8%) and MRSA in 10/72 (13.9%). The majority of the 27 MRSA isolates exhibited a sensitivity pattern expected for CA-MRSA. Multilocus restriction fragment typing resolved the isolates into eight restriction fragment types. The predominant restriction fragment types were AAACCAA and AAAAAAA, accounting for 51.9% (14/27) of the MRSA isolates and included CC5 and CC1 groups, respectively. This study thus demonstrated the transmission of CA-MRSA strain types into a health-care setting, emphasizing the need for implementation of a revised set of control measures in both hospital and community settings.
Insights
Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is a growing public health concern. This study found CA-MRSA strains are transmitted into healthcare settings, necessitating updated control measures for hospitals and communities.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) represents a significant and escalating public health challenge.
- Understanding the prevalence and transmission dynamics of CA-MRSA is crucial for effective control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the colonization rates of Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA in hospitalized patients and healthcare workers.
- To characterize the prevalent CA-MRSA strains and identify potential transmission pathways into healthcare settings.
Main Methods:
- Nasal swabs were collected from 843 patients admitted to the hospital and 72 healthcare workers.
- S. aureus and MRSA colonization were identified using standard microbiological techniques.
- Multilocus restriction fragment typing was employed to characterize MRSA isolates and determine strain relatedness.
Main Results:
- Staphylococcus aureus colonization was detected in 25.9% of patients and 20.8% of healthcare workers.
- MRSA colonization was identified in 2.0% of patients and 13.9% of healthcare workers.
- Predominant MRSA strains belonged to CC5 and CC1 groups, indicating transmission of specific CA-MRSA types into the healthcare environment.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates the presence and transmission of CA-MRSA strains within a healthcare setting.
- Findings highlight the urgent need for enhanced infection control measures in both community and hospital environments to combat CA-MRSA spread.
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