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Staphylococcus aureus with decreased susceptibility to glycopeptides in cystic fibrosis patients

Anne Filleron1, Raphaël Chiron, Marie-Elisabeth Reverdy

  • 1Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Montpellier, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, Service de Pédiatrie générale, Maladies Infectieuses, Immunologie Clinique, 371, Avenue du Doyen Gaston Giraud, 34295 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.

Journal of Cystic Fibrosis : Official Journal of the European Cystic Fibrosis Society
|June 4, 2011
PubMed

Insights

We found Staphylococcus aureus strains with reduced glycopeptide susceptibility in five cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. These emerging glycopeptide-intermediate S. aureus (GISA) strains require increased awareness and detection in CF care.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients are susceptible to bacterial infections, including Staphylococcus aureus.
  • Glycopeptide antibiotics are crucial for treating serious S. aureus infections.
  • Emergence of antimicrobial resistance in CF pathogens poses a significant clinical challenge.

Observation:

  • Isolation of Staphylococcus aureus with decreased glycopeptide susceptibility in five CF patients.
  • Three patients experienced pulmonary exacerbations potentially linked to these resistant strains.
  • Two of these patients responded well to linezolid treatment.

Findings:

  • Glycopeptide-intermediate S. aureus (GISA) strains were identified in two patients and were methicillin-susceptible.
  • Methicillin-resistant GISA strains were found in the remaining three patients.
  • GISA is rarely reported in CF, suggesting potential underestimation due to detection difficulties.

Implications:

  • Clinicians and microbiologists must be vigilant for GISA emergence in the CF population.
  • Improved diagnostic methods may be needed to detect GISA effectively.
  • Understanding GISA epidemiology in CF is crucial for guiding treatment strategies and infection control.

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