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Updated: Dec 17, 2025
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Prevalence and Molecular Genetics of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Colonization in Nursing Homes in
Ahmed Albarrag1, Ashwag Shami2, Abrar Almutairi2
1Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Objective:
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the main causative agents of nosocomial infections that has posed a major threat to those with compromised immune systems such as nursing home residents. The aim of this study was to determine the rates of MRSA strains and the types of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec (SCCmec)in nursing homes in Saudi Arabia.
Methods:
A total of 188 nasal swabs were collected from the residents and nursing staff in two nursing homes in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All MRSA isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility and analyzed for mecA and SCCmec typing by multiplex PCR assay. Detection of the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) gene was also tested in all positive MRSA isolates by multiplex PCR using specific primers.
Results:
Among the 188 collected nasal swabs (105 males and 83 females), MRSA colonization rate was 9.04% (11 (5.85%) females and 6 (5.71%) males). About 47% of MRSA were multidrug resistant (MDR) as acquired resistance to beta-lactam, macrolide, and aminoglycoside antibiotics. However, all the MRSA isolates showed susceptibility to vancomycin, tigecycline, and linezolid. All the MRSA isolates (n = 17) were mecA-positive with the SCCmec IVc (n = 7, 41.18%) as the most common SCCmec type followed by SCCmec V (n = 5, 29.41%) and SCCmec IVa (n = 2, 11.76%). The remaining isolates (n = 3) were nontypeable (17.65%). In addition, the PVL toxin gene was only detected in four of the male samples.
Conclusion:
MRSA nasal colonization is a common incident among nursing home residents. The prevalence of community-associated (CA) MRSA (SCCmec IV and V) was more common than hospital-associated (HA) MRSA in our study samples. It is crucial to investigate such rate of incidence, which is a key tool in preventive medicine and would aid in determining health policy and predict emergent outbreaks.
Insights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal colonization is common in Saudi nursing homes. Community-associated MRSA strains, particularly SCCmec IV and V, were more prevalent than hospital-associated strains.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant threat in healthcare settings, especially to vulnerable populations like nursing home residents.
- Nosocomial infections caused by MRSA are a major concern globally.
- Understanding MRSA epidemiology in long-term care facilities is crucial for infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of MRSA colonization in nursing home residents and staff in Saudi Arabia.
- To characterize the types of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec (SCCmec) elements present in these MRSA strains.
- To investigate the presence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes in MRSA isolates.
Main Methods:
- Collection of 188 nasal swabs from residents and staff in two nursing homes in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of all MRSA isolates.
- Multiplex PCR assay for mecA and SCCmec typing.
- PCR detection of the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) gene.
Main Results:
- MRSA colonization rate was 9.04% among the 188 participants.
- Approximately 47% of MRSA isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR).
- All MRSA isolates were susceptible to vancomycin, tigecycline, and linezolid.
- SCCmec type IVc was the most common (41.18%), followed by SCCmec V (29.41%) and SCCmec IVa (11.76%).
- PVL gene was detected in four male samples.
Conclusions:
- MRSA nasal colonization is a common occurrence in Saudi nursing homes.
- Community-associated MRSA strains (SCCmec IV and V) are more prevalent than hospital-associated strains in this population.
- These findings highlight the need for enhanced surveillance and preventive strategies in nursing homes to control MRSA spread.
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