Genetic diversity and antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus from recurrent tonsillitis in children

The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in the tonsils of children subjected tonsillectomy due to recurrent tonsilitis and to determine the spa types of the pathogens, carriage of virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance profiles. The study included 73 tonsillectomized children. Bacteria, including S. aureus were isolated from tonsillar surface prior to tonsillectomy, recovered from tonsillar core at the time of the surgery, and from posterior pharynx 2-4 weeks after the procedure. Staphylococcus aureus isolates were compared by spa typing, tested for antimicrobial susceptibility and for the presence of superantigenic toxin genes (sea-seu, eta, etb, tst, lukS/lukF-PV) by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Seventy-three patients (mean 7.1 ± 4.1 years, 61.6% male) were assessed. The most commonly isolated bacteria were S. aureus. The largest proportion of staphylococcal isolates originated from tonsillar core (63%), followed by tonsillar surface (45.1%) and posterior pharynx in tonsillectomized children (18.2%, p = 0.007). Five (6.3%) isolates were identified as MRSA (mecA-positive). Up to 67.5% of the isolates synthesized penicillinases (blaZ-positive isolates), and 8.8% displayed MLS_B resistance. The superantigenic toxin genes were detected in more than half of examined isolates (56.3%). spa types t091, t084, and t002, and clonal complexes (CCs) CC7, CC45, and CC30 turned out to be most common. Staphylococcus aureus associated with RT in children showed pathogenicity potential and considerable genetic diversity, and no clones were found to be specific for this condition although further studies are needed.