First report of a sequence type 239 vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus isolate in Mainland China

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of hospital and community infections.
• Vancomycin is a critical antibiotic for treating MRSA infections.
• The extensive use of vancomycin in Mainland China raises concerns about antimicrobial resistance.

Observation:

• A vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) isolate was identified in a 34-year-old male patient with a steam burn.
• The patient's VISA isolate belonged to sequence type 239 (ST239), a prevalent MRSA clone in Mainland China.
• ST239-III is the most common MRSA clone in Mainland China.

Findings:

• This case report documents the first identification of a VISA isolate in Mainland China.
• The VISA isolate was identified as ST239-III, a dominant MRSA clone in the region.
• The emergence of VISA is a potential consequence of high vancomycin usage in the context of widespread MRSA.

Implications:

• The emergence of VISA strains necessitates enhanced surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship programs.
• This finding highlights the urgent need for alternative treatment strategies for MRSA infections.
• Continued monitoring of antimicrobial resistance patterns is crucial to combat the spread of resistant bacteria.