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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Prevalence of MRSA as an Infectious Agent in Sanitary Swimming Pools and Jacuzzis
Fatemeh Khamesi1, Mohammad Hasan Ehrampoush2, Vali Dad3
1Student Research Committee, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Introduction:
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is considered resistant to beta-lactam antibiotic groups. Infection caused by this strain is more difficult to treat with antibiotics, and hence, it will be more dangerous. This study focused on detecting the mecA gene Staphylococcus in sanitary swimming pools and Jacuzzis in Yazd city, Iran (2019). Also, the relationship between methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the water quality standards has been investigated.
Materials And Methods:
60 samples were randomly collected in sterile bottles from 20 active pools and Jacuzzis. Quality parameters were analyzed by standard methods. Antibiotic resistance and the mecA gene's presence were detected by the disk diffusion and PCR method, respectively.
Results:
The results of this study showed that the resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolates was high against erythromycin (41.20%), tetracycline (35.10%), clindamycin (28.90%), and cefoxitin (25.80%). Out of 97 samples, 9 (25.80%) strains of Staphylococcus aureus were identified as MRSA, 30 samples (30.92%) showed multiple patterns of antibiotic resistance, and 9 samples (9.27%) carried the mecA gene. The results revealed that water quality has greatly impacted the mecA gene strain presence, especially microbial parameters. On the other hand, in the presence of mecA gene strains, the averages of microbial qualities were higher than standard in Jacuzzis; the latter finding was confirmed for swimming pools due to physicochemical parameters.
Conclusion:
The number of reported sanitary water is increasing, and this study's results are useful examples of these findings. Therefore, a lack of careful and regular monitoring of swimming pools and Jacuzzis can lead to MSRA prevalence and outbreak sources.
Insights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was detected in Yazd swimming pools and Jacuzzis. Poor water quality, particularly microbial parameters, correlated with the presence of the mecA gene, increasing MRSA risks.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Public health microbiology
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses significant treatment challenges due to its resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics.
- Sanitary water environments like swimming pools and Jacuzzis can act as reservoirs for pathogenic bacteria.
- The presence of the mecA gene is a key indicator of MRSA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detect MRSA and the mecA gene in sanitary swimming pools and Jacuzzis in Yazd city.
- To investigate the relationship between MRSA and water quality standards.
Main Methods:
- Collected 60 water samples from 20 active pools and Jacuzzis.
- Analyzed water quality parameters using standard methods.
- Detected antibiotic resistance via disk diffusion and the mecA gene using PCR.
Main Results:
- 9 out of 97 Staphylococcus aureus isolates (25.80%) were identified as MRSA.
- 9 samples (9.27%) carried the mecA gene.
- Water quality, especially microbial parameters, significantly impacted the presence of mecA gene strains; higher microbial counts were observed in environments with MRSA.
Conclusions:
- Poor water quality in swimming pools and Jacuzzis is linked to the prevalence of MRSA.
- Regular monitoring of sanitary water is crucial to prevent MRSA outbreaks.
- Findings highlight the public health risk associated with contaminated recreational water.
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