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Published on: February 9, 2011
Genetic Variability of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Strains Isolated from Burns Patients
Mehdi Goudarzi1, Nobumichi Kobayashi2, Ali Hashemi1
1Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Objectives:
Staphylococcus aureus is a nosocomial pathogen that provides a major challenge in the healthcare environment, especially in burns units where patients are particularly susceptible to infections. In this study, we sought to determine molecular types of S. aureus isolates collected from burns patients, based on staphylococcal protein A and coagulase gene polymorphisms.
Methods:
Antibiotic susceptibility testing of 89 S. aureus strains isolated from burn wounds of patients was assessed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Strains were characterized by spa typing, coa typing, and resistance and toxin gene profiling.
Results:
A total of 12 different spa types were identified with the majority being t790 (18%). Panton-Valentine leucocidin encoding genes were identified in spa types t044 (5.6%), t852 (2.2%) and t008 (2.2%). The most commonly detected antibiotic resistance gene was ant (4')-Ia (60.7%). Ten different coa types were detected and the majority of the tested isolates belonged to coa III (47.2%). All the high-level mupirocin-resistant and low-level mupirocin resistant strains belonged to coa type III.
Conclusion:
The present study illustrated that despite the high frequency of coa III and spa t790 types, the genetic background of S. aureus strains in Iranian burns patients was diverse. The findings obtained are valuable in creating awareness of S. aureus infections within burns units.
Insights
Molecular typing of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) from burns patients revealed diverse spa and coa types, with spa t790 and coa III being most frequent. This highlights the genetic diversity of S. aureus in Iranian burns units.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Epidemiology
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus is a significant nosocomial pathogen, posing a major threat in healthcare settings.
- Burns units harbor patients with increased susceptibility to infections, making them vulnerable to S. aureus colonization and disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the molecular types of S. aureus isolates from burns patients.
- To investigate the genetic diversity based on staphylococcal protein A (spa) and coagulase (coa) gene polymorphisms.
Main Methods:
- Antibiotic susceptibility testing using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method on 89 S. aureus strains.
- Molecular characterization through spa typing, coa typing, and resistance/toxin gene profiling.
Main Results:
- Twelve distinct spa types were identified, with t790 being the most prevalent (18%).
- Panton-Valentine leucocidin genes were found in spa types t044, t852, and t008.
- The most common resistance gene was ant(4')-Ia (60.7%); ten coa types were detected, with coa III dominating (47.2%).
- All mupirocin-resistant strains belonged to coa type III.
Conclusions:
- Despite the prevalence of coa III and spa t790, S. aureus strains in Iranian burns patients exhibit genetic diversity.
- Findings contribute to understanding S. aureus epidemiology in burns units and inform infection control strategies.
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