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Multiplex PCR Assay for Typing of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Mec Types I to V in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
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Genotyping of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains Isolated from Hospitalized Children

Mouna Ben Nejma1, Abderrahmen Merghni1, Maha Mastouri2

  • 1Laboratoire des Maladies Transmissibles et Substances Biologiquement Actives "LR99ES27", Faculté de Pharmacie de Monastir, Avenue Avicenne, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia.

International Journal of Pediatrics
|November 19, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) causes skin infections in young children. Molecular analysis identified a single clone (ST80) responsible for these pediatric infections, highlighting a significant public health concern.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Molecular epidemiology
  • Bacteriology

Background:

  • Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is an increasing cause of skin and soft tissue infections in children.
  • Young children's developing immune systems may contribute to the higher incidence of CA-MRSA infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular characteristics and clonal relatedness of CA-MRSA strains causing infections in hospitalized children.
  • To identify the specific CA-MRSA clone prevalent in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

  • Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were used for molecular typing.
  • Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type and pvl gene presence were analyzed.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed.

Main Results:

  • All 8 pediatric patient isolates were identified as CA-MRSA, carrying SCCmec IV and pvl genes.
  • PFGE and MLST revealed that all strains belonged to a single clone, ST80.
  • All strains were resistant to kanamycin, and 2 strains showed resistance to erythromycin.

Conclusions:

  • A single clone of CA-MRSA (ST80) is responsible for skin infections in young children in this cohort.
  • The findings emphasize the need for surveillance and control measures for CA-MRSA in pediatric populations.

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