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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA

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Characterization of nasal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from international human and

Virginia Post1, Llinos G Harris2, Mario Morgenstern1,3

  • 1AO Research Institute Davos, Davos, Switzerland.

Journal of Medical Microbiology
|December 23, 2016
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Surgeons show low rates of nasal colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), similar to the general population. The identified MRSA strains were common clonal lineages, with some veterinary isolates linked to livestock-associated MRSA.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Nasal colonization by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant concern in healthcare settings.
  • Surgeons, due to their frequent contact with patients and healthcare environments, are a population of interest for MRSA carriage studies.
  • Limited data exists on the molecular characteristics and antimicrobial resistance profiles of MRSA colonizing surgeons.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular epidemiology of MRSA nasal colonization in human and veterinary surgeons.
  • To determine the antimicrobial resistance patterns and virulence factors of MRSA isolates from surgeons.
  • To understand the potential for MRSA transmission between surgeons, patients, and animals.

Main Methods:

  • Collected 26 MRSA isolates from the nares of 1166 human and 60 veterinary surgeons.
  • Performed molecular typing including agr, spa, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST).
  • Screened for 22 virulence factors using PCR, assessed biofilm formation, and determined antibiotic resistance. Sequenced the genome of one rifampicin-resistant isolate.

Main Results:

  • Approximately 50% of isolates belonged to known MRSA clonal lineages (ST1, ST5, ST8, ST45, ST59).
  • Veterinary MRSA isolates included epidemic livestock-associated lineages (ST398, ST8), indicating potential animal-to-human transmission.
  • While virulence gene patterns varied, 35% carried genes like Panton-Valentine leukocidin (lukFS-PV), exfoliative toxin (eta), or toxic shock syndrome toxin (tst).

Conclusions:

  • Surgeons exhibit low rates of MRSA nasal colonization, comparable to the general population.
  • The MRSA strains colonizing surgeons are typically common clonal lineages.
  • The findings suggest that while surgeons are not a high-risk group for MRSA colonization, vigilance for specific lineages, especially in veterinary surgeons, is warranted.

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