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Multiply- and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated in the German Democratic Republic in 1985
Abstract:
Multiply- and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains have been isolated from five small outbreaks of nosocomial infection in five different hospitals. The MRSA were typed by phage patterns, biochemical traits, resistance phenotypes and plasmid patterns. Three different groups of strains can be distinguished. The MRSA from three outbreaks in one country share identical characters. Phage typing by the use of the International Basic Set for Phage Typing staphylococci as well as experimental phages does not completely discriminate between the strains. Attribution of several resistance determinants to plasmids in two of the described strain groups proved valuable for strain differentiation. These multiply-resistant strains are sensitive to vancomycin and to rifampicin.
Insights
Multiple hospital outbreaks involved methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. Plasmid analysis aided in differentiating these multiply-resistant strains, which remained sensitive to vancomycin and rifampicin.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
Background:
- Nosocomial infections pose a significant threat in healthcare settings.
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of hospital-acquired infections.
- Understanding the genetic diversity and transmission of MRSA is crucial for infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize multiply-resistant MRSA strains isolated from hospital outbreaks.
- To differentiate between MRSA strains using various typing methods.
- To identify potential genetic markers for strain discrimination.
Main Methods:
- MRSA strains were isolated from five hospital outbreaks.
- Typing methods included phage patterns, biochemical traits, resistance phenotypes, and plasmid profiling.
- Plasmid analysis was utilized to attribute resistance determinants.
Main Results:
- Three distinct groups of MRSA strains were identified.
- MRSA strains from three outbreaks within one country exhibited identical characteristics.
- Plasmid profiling proved effective in differentiating MRSA strain groups.
- All identified multiply-resistant MRSA strains remained susceptible to vancomycin and rifampicin.
Conclusions:
- MRSA strains from different hospital outbreaks can exhibit varying genetic profiles.
- Plasmid analysis is a valuable tool for discriminating between multiply-resistant MRSA strains.
- The identified MRSA strains represent a potential treatment challenge due to multiply resistance but retain susceptibility to key antibiotics.