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Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from Iranian hospitals: virulence factors and antibiotic

Hassan Momtaz1, Laleh Hafezi

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University. hamomtaz@yahoo.com.

Bosnian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
|November 28, 2014
PubMed

Insights

This study found 50% of Staphylococcus aureus isolates in Iranian hospitals were resistant to common antibiotics. High prevalence of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin and specific SCCmec types indicate a need for advanced care and new antibiotics.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Staphylococcus aureus is a significant opportunistic pathogen.
  • Widespread antibiotic use has led to increased resistance, particularly against commonly prescribed drugs.
  • Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a substantial threat in healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of the Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) gene, SCCmec types, and antibiotic resistance profiles of MRSA isolates from Iranian hospitals.
  • To understand the genetic and resistance characteristics of MRSA strains circulating in clinical settings.

Main Methods:

  • Collection of 132 clinical specimens from two major Iranian hospitals.
  • Culturing of samples and identification of Staphylococcus aureus.
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for detecting specific genes (PVL, mecA, SCCmec types, antibiotic resistance genes).
  • Disk diffusion method for assessing antibiotic resistance patterns.

Main Results:

  • 50% (66/132) of samples were positive for Staphylococcus aureus, predominantly from wounds (66.12%).
  • High incidence of antibiotic resistance genes including mecA (80.30%), tetK (34.84%), ermA (30.30%), and ermC (25.75%).
  • 40.90% of isolates carried the PVL gene. SCCmec types V, III, IVa, IVc, and IVb were identified in MRSA strains.
  • All isolates showed resistance to penicillin, cephalothin, cefazoline, and ceftriaxone.

Conclusions:

  • The study highlights a significant prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA strains harboring virulence factors like PVL and diverse SCCmec types in Iranian hospitals.
  • The observed resistance patterns necessitate enhanced hospital infection control measures and the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Urgent attention is required to manage infections caused by these multi-drug resistant strains effectively.

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