Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 27, 2026
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Distribution among Thai children of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus lacking cna, fnbA and icaAD
Insights
Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization is common in Thai children, with 2% carrying methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). This highlights the need for strategies to prevent S. aureus transmission and infection in the community.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus is a significant cause of community and hospital-acquired infections.
- Nasal colonization by S. aureus is a primary risk factor for developing S. aureus infections.
- Understanding colonization prevalence is crucial for infection control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of S. aureus nasal colonization in Thai children.
- To identify the carriage rate of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in this population.
- To analyze antimicrobial resistance patterns and biofilm formation in S. aureus isolates.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving nasal swab collection from Thai children.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) used to detect S. aureus and specific adhesin genes (fnbA, icaAD, cna).
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and biofilm formation assays performed on S. aureus isolates.
Main Results:
- S. aureus nasal colonization was detected in 36% (78/217) of children.
- The MRSA carriage rate was 2% (5/217).
- High resistance to penicillin (99%) was observed; MRSA isolates lacked specific adhesin genes and showed reduced biofilm formation.
Conclusions:
- A high prevalence of S. aureus nasal colonization exists in healthy Thai children, with a notable MRSA carriage rate.
- The findings underscore the urgent need for effective prevention strategies against S. aureus transmission and infection in Thailand.
- Further research into the virulence factors and transmission dynamics of S. aureus in this population is warranted.
Abstract:
Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium causing infections in both community and hospitals. S. aureus nasal colonization increases the risk of acquiring S. aureus infection. In this study, the prevalence of S. aureus nasal colonization was determined in Thai children, showing that nasal colonization was found in 78 of 217 subjects and the methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) carriage rate was present in 5 of 217 children. Among 78 S. aureus isolates, resistance to penicillin, erythromycin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, oxacillin and cefoxitin was found in 99%, 8%, 1%, 4%, 1%, 8% and 6% of the isolates, respectively. The presence of 3 adhesin genes, investigated by PCR, revealed that among 78 isolates, fnbA, icaAD and cna was detected in 73, 72 and 48 isolates, respectively but not in the 5 MRSA isolates. Ninety-five percent and 31% of S. aureus isolates were able to form strong and weak biofilms, respectively. Four MRSA isolates that lacked icaAD were non-biofilm-forming strains. These results revealed a high prevalence of S. aureus nasal colonization in healthy Thai children with 2% being MRSA. Effective strategies to prevent S. aureus transmission and infection are therefore needed in the Thai community.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance
01:25Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA
01:29Staphylococcal Skin Infections