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Comparative molecular analysis of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from children with atopic

W-T Lo1, S-R Wang, M-H Tseng

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, No. 325, Cheng-Kung Road, Section 2, Nei-hu 114, Taipei, Taiwan.

The British Journal of Dermatology
|February 6, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Nasal Staphylococcus aureus colonization is more common in children with atopic dermatitis (AD). This study links nasal MRSA colonization to subsequent skin infections in children with AD.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Dermatology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Children with atopic dermatitis (AD) exhibit higher rates of Staphylococcus aureus colonization compared to healthy children.
  • Investigating the link between nasal colonization and infections is crucial for understanding disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if nasal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization is associated with subsequent skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTI) in children.
  • To compare the molecular characteristics of MRSA isolates from different patient groups.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative molecular analyses were performed on MRSA isolates from children with AD, healthy controls, and children with AD and concurrent SSTI.
  • Isolates were analyzed for specific sequence types (ST), pulsotypes, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) types, and the presence of Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) and staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB).

Main Results:

  • Nasal MRSA colonization was significantly higher in children with AD (17.3%) than in healthy individuals (9.0%).
  • Distinct molecular profiles were observed between MRSA isolates from children with AD and healthy controls.
  • A specific clone (ST59/pulsotype B/SCCmec V(T)/PVL-positive/SEB-positive) predominated in children with AD, while another (ST59/pulsotype A/SCCmec IV/PVL-negative/SEB-positive) was common in healthy controls.

Conclusions:

  • A significant number of Taiwanese children, particularly those with AD, are colonized by MRSA in their anterior nares.
  • The study provides evidence linking MRSA colonization to MRSA-infecting isolates causing concurrent SSTI in children with AD.

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