Prophage and antibiotic resistance profiles of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains in Iran

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Virology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant global health threat.
• Bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) can influence MRSA virulence and antibiotic resistance.
• Understanding phage populations in MRSA is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the diversity and prevalence of bacteriophages in MRSA isolates from Tehran, Iran.
• To identify specific phage types, including those encoding virulence factors.
• To correlate phage presence with antibiotic resistance patterns in MRSA.

Main Methods:

• Collected 114 MRSA isolates from hospitals in Tehran, Iran.
• Employed multiplex PCR to detect six different prophage classes.
• Assessed antibiotic resistance profiles of the MRSA isolates.

Main Results:

• Detected high diversity of bacteriophages, with four types and eight patterns identified.
• Found Φ-77-like phage, associated with virulence factors, in 97% of isolates.
• Observed high resistance rates to penicillin, ciprofloxacin, tobramycin, and kanamycin.

Conclusions:

• This is the first study to report high prevalence and diversity of bacteriophages in Iranian MRSA strains.
• The widespread presence of Φ-77-like phage suggests its significant role in MRSA pathogenesis in this region.
• The findings highlight the urgent need for strategies to combat antibiotic-resistant MRSA.