SCCmec typing of PVL-positive community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) at a Japanese hospital

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections are a growing global health concern.
• Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a key virulence factor associated with severe CA-MRSA infections.
• Understanding the epidemiology of PVL-positive CA-MRSA is crucial for effective treatment and control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of PVL-positive CA-MRSA strains in Japan.
• To determine the SCCmec types and genetic features of PVL-positive CA-MRSA isolates.
• To compare the epidemiology of PVL-positive CA-MRSA in Japan with Western countries.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and identification of 342 CA-MRSA strains from various clinical samples collected between 2009 and 2017.
• Detection of the PVL gene using PCR.
• Characterization of SCCmec types (IV, V, VII, and unclassified) and specific genetic elements (CZ049, ccr5).

Main Results:

• PVL gene was detected in 46 out of 342 CA-MRSA strains (13.5%).
• SCCmec type IV was the most prevalent (33 strains), followed by type V (5), type VII (4), and unclassified (4).
• The PVL-positive rate in Japan was lower compared to Western countries, with diverse SCCmec types observed in PVL-positive strains.

Conclusions:

• PVL-positive CA-MRSA is present in Japan, albeit at a lower rate than in Western regions.
• The genetic diversity of SCCmec types among PVL-positive CA-MRSA strains suggests multiple origins and spreading pathways.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the specific transmission dynamics and clinical implications of PVL-positive CA-MRSA in the Japanese population.