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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

The first vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from patients in Thailand

Aroonlug Lulitanond1, Chulapan Engchanil, Prajuab Chaimanee

  • 1Centre for Research and Development in Medical Diagnostic Laboratory 2, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|May 1, 2009
PubMed

Insights

We identified increasing rates of vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) in a Thai university hospital. This study highlights the emergence of VRSA and heterogeneous VRSA strains, necessitating vigilant monitoring.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant global health threat.
  • Vancomycin remains a critical antibiotic for treating MRSA infections.
  • The emergence of vancomycin resistance in MRSA strains (VRSA) is a growing concern.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) and heterogeneous VRSA strains.
  • To analyze trends in VRSA and heterogeneous VRSA isolation over time.
  • To report the first isolation of VRSA strains from patients in Thailand.

Main Methods:

  • Screening of MRSA strains isolated from a university hospital.
  • Phenotypic detection of vancomycin resistance.
  • Analysis of strain data from two distinct time periods (2002-2003 and 2006-2007).

Main Results:

  • Identified 4 (0.8%) heterogeneous VRSA strains in 2002-2003.
  • Identified 8 (2.2%) heterogeneous VRSA strains in 2006-2007, showing an increase.
  • Detected 3 (0.8%) VRSA strains in 2006-2007.
  • This marks the first report of VRSA strains in Thailand.

Conclusions:

  • The prevalence of heterogeneous VRSA and VRSA strains has increased over the study period.
  • The findings underscore the emergence of vancomycin resistance in S. aureus in Thailand.
  • Continuous surveillance for VRSA is crucial for effective infection control and treatment strategies.

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