Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infections in Hospitalized Patients in Peru

Coralith García1,2,3, Noemí Hinostroza1, Valeria Gordillo2

  • 1Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.

Insights

Hospital-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the most common cause of MRSA bloodstream infections (BSIs) in Peru. The study also identified emerging community-associated MRSA strains, highlighting the need for further surveillance.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology
  • Clinical Microbiology

Background:

  • Limited data exists on the epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections (BSIs) in Peru.
  • Understanding MRSA prevalence and characteristics is crucial for effective infection control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the proportion of MRSA among Staphylococcus aureus BSIs in Peru.
  • To perform molecular typing of MRSA isolates to identify prevalent clones.
  • To assess the emergence of community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) in Peru.

Main Methods:

  • A surveillance study was conducted across 13 hospitals in 10 Peruvian regions from 2017 to 2019.
  • A total of 166 Staphylococcus aureus isolates from BSIs were collected and analyzed.
  • Phenotypic and genetic characteristics, including SCCmec type and Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) production, were determined.

Main Results:

  • Overall, 36.1% of Staphylococcus aureus BSIs were caused by MRSA.
  • The predominant MRSA clone was the hospital-associated Chilean-Cordobes clone (70%), characterized by multidrug resistance, SCCmec type I, and non-PVL production.
  • Five isolates (8.3%) exhibited genetic characteristics of CA-MRSA (SCCmec IV, PVL-producer), found in three different regions.

Conclusions:

  • Hospital-associated MRSA is the primary cause of MRSA BSIs in Peru.
  • There is evidence of the emergence and potential dissemination of CA-MRSA in Peru.
  • Further research is required to understand the full extent of CA-MRSA spread and its clinical implications.