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Extensive genetic diversity identified among sporadic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates recovered

Peter M Kinnevey1, Anna C Shore, Grainne I Brennan

  • 1Microbiology Research Unit, Dublin Dental University Hospital, University of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
|January 8, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Sporadic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Irish hospitals shows significant genetic diversity, including novel types. Ongoing surveillance is crucial for detecting emerging MRSA clones and their resistance genes.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Nosocomial methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clonal replacement is documented in Ireland.
  • Limited knowledge exists on sporadically occurring MRSA in Irish hospitals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize sporadic MRSA isolates from Irish hospitals (2000-2012).
  • To identify genetic diversity, resistance, and virulence factors in these isolates.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 88 pvl-negative sporadic MRSA isolates.
  • Utilized pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, spa typing, and DNA microarray profiling.
  • Assigned multilocus sequence type (MLST) clonal complex (CC)/sequence type (ST) and SCCmec types.

Main Results:

  • Identified extensive diversity: 38 spa types, 13 MLST-CCs, and 25 SCCmec types.
  • Detected 54 MLST-spa-SCCmec type combinations, including potential novel elements.
  • 68.5% of isolates belonged to nosocomial lineages; community-associated and animal-associated clones were also found.
  • 53.3% and 47.8% harbored resistance to multiple antimicrobial classes and multiple virulence factors, respectively.

Conclusions:

  • Sporadic MRSA in Irish hospitals exhibit considerable genetic diversity.
  • The presence of various MRSA lineages highlights the need for continuous surveillance.
  • Early detection of emerging clones and reservoirs of resistance/virulence genes is essential.

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