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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
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Characterization of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus From Children at Hospital Admission: Experiences From

Regina Selb1,2, Sabine Albert-Braun3, Alexandra Weltzien4

  • 1From the Unit for Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|June 15, 2022
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Community-associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections, particularly skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI), are significant in children. Molecular analysis reveals diverse CA-MRSA clones circulating in community and hospital settings.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Community-associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) emerged in the 1990s, distinct from healthcare-associated strains.
  • CA-MRSA commonly colonizes and infects healthy, immunocompetent individuals, especially younger populations.
  • While skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) are most common, severe, life-threatening CA-MRSA syndromes can also occur.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the characteristics of MRSA strains isolated from community-onset infections in children.
  • To analyze MRSA strains identified through screening of children admitted to a tertiary-care hospital.
  • To understand the molecular epidemiology and virulence factors of CA-MRSA in a pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 102 MRSA isolates from 2012-2018.
  • Antibiotic susceptibility testing using broth microdilution.
  • Molecular typing including spa-typing, multilocus sequence typing, and SCCmec typing.
  • Detection of virulence and resistance genes (e.g., lukPV) via polymerase chain reaction.

Main Results:

  • The majority of isolates (80/102) were from community-onset infections, primarily SSTIs (70/80).
  • A significant proportion (61.8%) of MRSA isolates carried the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (lukPV) gene.
  • Molecular characterization identified prevalent epidemic MRSA clones, including CC80-MRSA-IV, ST772-MRSA-V, and ST8-MRSA-IVa, circulating in both community and hospital settings.

Conclusions:

  • CA-MRSA is a significant cause of SSTI in children.
  • Enhanced microbiological and molecular surveillance of CA-MRSA in pediatric populations is crucial.
  • Data from molecular analysis aids in targeted treatment and pathogen surveillance strategies.

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