Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains from Ghana include USA300

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant global health threat.
• Limited data exists on circulating MRSA clones and their antimicrobial resistance profiles in Ghana.
• Understanding local MRSA epidemiology is crucial for effective treatment and control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish baseline data on MRSA clones in Ghana.
• To characterize the antimicrobial resistance patterns of MRSA isolates.
• To identify prevalent MRSA strains and their genetic features.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 30 MRSA isolates from Ghanaian patients and carriers (2010-2013).
• Utilized DNA microarray, spa typing, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (MIC).
• Determined resistance to 21 antimicrobial agents and identified specific resistance genes.

Main Results:

• High phenotypic resistance observed for tetracycline (67%), norfloxacin (40%), and erythromycin (37%).
• Prevalent resistance genes included tet(M) (43%) and erm(C) (13%).
• Dominant MRSA clones were ST88-IV (WA MRSA-2), ST8-IV (USA300), and ST247-I (North German/Iberian EMRSA).

Conclusions:

• High resistance to accessible non-β-lactam antibiotics complicates MRSA infection treatment in Ghana.
• The emergence of epidemic MRSA clones like USA300 is a public health concern.
• Inadequate MRSA surveillance and control infrastructure in Ghana exacerbates the issue.