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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Genetic Diversity Analysis of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains Isolated from Intensive Care Unit
Mehdi Goudarzi1, Maryam Fazeli2, Gita Eslami1
1Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Objectives:
Staphylococcus aureus has emerged as a major public health concern. It is a common pathogen in high-risk hospital intensive care units (ICUs). We analyzed the molecular characteristics on the SCCmec and spa genes of S. aureus isolates gathered from ICUs. The antibiotic resistance patterns and carriage of resistance and virulence determinants were also identified.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, 84 non-duplicated S. aureus strains isolated from ICU patients in were genotyped using SCCmec and spa typing. The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion and micro-broth dilution methods were used to determine resistance patterns. Virulence and resistance gene profiling were also determined using the polymerase chain reaction technique.
Results:
All isolates were methicillin-resistant S. aureus and belonged to seven spa types: t388 (36.9%), t852 (14.3%), t924 (13.1%), t790 (11.9%), t064 (10.7%), t037 (9.5%), and t084 (3.6%). They differed in the carriage of resistance and toxin genes. The most common SCCmec type was III detected in 50 isolates (59.5%), followed by type IV in 34 isolates (40.5%). The pvl gene was detected in 14.3% (n = 12) of isolates, of which 66.7% (n = 8) belonged to t852 and 33.3% (n = 4) belonged to t790. Among the tested strains, 9.5% (n = 8) carried the mupA gene and belonged to the t064 spa type.
Conclusions:
The data revealed a high resistance rate to antibiotics, which could be a threat to ICU patients. It is necessary to detect antimicrobial resistance and resistance and toxin-encoding of gene profiles in different molecular types.
Insights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains from ICUs show high antibiotic resistance. Molecular typing revealed diverse spa types and SCCmec types, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring of resistance genes.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus is a significant pathogen, particularly in hospital intensive care units (ICUs).
- Understanding the molecular characteristics and antibiotic resistance of S. aureus is crucial for infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the molecular characteristics (SCCmec and spa genes) of S. aureus isolates from ICUs.
- To determine antibiotic resistance patterns and identify carriage of resistance and virulence determinants.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 84 S. aureus strains from ICU patients.
- Genotyping using SCCmec and spa typing.
- Antibiotic resistance determined by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion and micro-broth dilution.
- Virulence and resistance gene profiling using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Main Results:
- All isolates were methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA).
- Seven spa types were identified, with t388 being the most prevalent (36.9%).
- SCCmec types III (59.5%) and IV (40.5%) were most common. The pvl gene was found in 14.3% of isolates, and the mupA gene in 9.5%.
Conclusions:
- ICU S. aureus isolates exhibit high rates of antibiotic resistance, posing a threat to patients.
- Detecting antimicrobial resistance and specific gene profiles (resistance and toxin-encoding) across different molecular types is essential.
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