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Geographic spread of epidemic multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus clone in Brazil
L A Teixeira1, C A Resende, L R Ormonde
1Instituto de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|September 1, 1995
Summary
A single clone of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has spread across Brazil. This epidemic MRSA strain shows resistance to multiple antibiotics, highlighting a significant public health concern.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Genetics
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus is a common pathogen with increasing antibiotic resistance.
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant global health threat.
- Understanding the genetic diversity and spread of MRSA is crucial for effective control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antibiotic resistance patterns and genetic backgrounds of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from geographically diverse locations in Brazil.
- To determine if a common MRSA clone is responsible for infections across Brazil.
Main Methods:
- Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed on 152 S. aureus isolates.
- Methicillin resistance was confirmed using agar dilution and a mecA gene-specific DNA probe.
- Molecular fingerprinting techniques, including pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), were used to analyze genetic relatedness.
Main Results:
- Eighty-five of 152 isolates were identified as MRSA.
- All MRSA isolates were resistant to multiple antibiotics, with vancomycin being the only effective agent for the majority.
- PFGE analysis revealed a common pattern among the isolates, indicating a single, epidemic MRSA clone spread across Brazil.
Conclusions:
- A single, genetically uniform MRSA clone is widely disseminated throughout Brazil.
- This epidemic clone exhibits extensive antibiotic resistance.
- The findings underscore the need for enhanced surveillance and infection control strategies to manage MRSA spread.