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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
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.
Abstract:
There is a knowledge gap in the epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causing bloodstream infections (BSIs) in Peru. Through a surveillance study in 13 hospitals of 10 Peruvian regions (2017-2019), we assessed the proportion of MRSA among S. aureus BSIs as well as the molecular typing of the isolates. A total of 166 S. aureus isolates were collected, and 36.1% of them were MRSA. Of note, MRSA isolates with phenotypic and genetic characteristics of the hospital-associated Chilean-Cordobes clone (multidrug-resistant SCCmec I, non-Panton-Valentine leukocidin [PVL] producers) were most commonly found (70%), five isolates with genetic characteristics of community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA)-SCCmec IV, PVL-producer-(8.3%) were seen in three separate regions. These results demonstrate that hospital-associated MRSA is the most frequent MRSA found in patients with BSIs in Peru. They also show the emergence of S. aureus with genetic characteristics of CA-MRSA. Further studies are needed to evaluate the extension of CA-MRSA dissemination in 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.

