葡萄球菌临床分离株对抗生素的药物敏感性

目的 了解天津8家三级甲等医院葡萄球菌临床分离株对常用抗生素的耐药情况和趋势。方法 收集天津市8所医院葡萄球菌临床株,用纸片扩散法进行药物敏感性测定。结果 2001～2002年分离的葡萄球菌临床株490株。金黄色葡萄球菌319株,MRSA占51.7%;凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌171株,MRCNS占65.6%。其中一医院2002～2003年分离的葡萄球菌临床株共103株.金黄色葡萄球菌81株,MRSA占%;凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌22株,MRCNS占72.84%;未发现万古霉素耐药株。结论 葡萄球菌的标本来源主要是痰培养和尿培养。MRSA的分离率与我国其他地区的数据相似。万古霉素在该地区仍然是最有效的治疗葡萄球菌感染的抗菌药物。     

Occurrence of macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B resistant isolates of Staphylococcus aureus in clinical specimens in 2003-2004

The aim of the study was the analysis of frequency of macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLS(B)) resistance among MSSA (n=1682) and MRSA (n=272) strains which were isolated in 2002-2004 from various clinical materials from patients hospitalized in the University Hospital at the L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, University of Nicolaus Copernicus in Toruń. Susceptibility testing and examination of methicillin-resistant strains were performed by the disc diffusion techniques according to recommendation of NCCLS. Resistance to the MLS(B) antimicrobials agents was higher among MRSA compared to MSSA isolates. The MLS, constitutive phenotype was more prevalent than the MLS(B) inducible phenotype among investigated MRSA (65.4%) and MSSA (7.6%) isolates. Inducible resistance had only 2.5% of the MSSA and 2.6% of the MRSA strains. Moreover in 2004 there were found increasing frequency of inducible MLS(B) resistance from 1.1% to 5.7% and decreasing frequency of constitutive MLS(B) resistance from 9.2% to 4.7% among MSSA strains, in comparison to 2003. The investigated MSSA MLS(B)-, MLS(B)- and MRSAMLS(B)+, MLS(B)- strains were the most frequently isolated from pus (adequately 5.2%, 28.8% and 30.5%, 10.7%) and also from nosopharynx swabs (1.7% MSSA MLS(B)+ and 22.9% MSSA MLS(B)-) and biomaterials (15,1% MRSA MLS(B)+ and 9.6% MRSA MLS(B)-). They mainly came from patients of the outpatient clinic (2,4% MSSA MLS(B)+ and 19.9% MSSA MLS(B)-) and patients treated at the neurosurgical ward (20.6% MRSA MLS(B)+ and 12.1% MRSA MLS(B)-).     

新生儿耐甲氧西林凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌败血症40例分析

目的：探讨耐甲氧西林凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌（MRCNS）在新生儿败血症中的分布,临床特征及耐药性特点。方法：应用全自动血培养系统（BACTE/9050）,ATB细菌鉴定仪,从80例新生儿血培养阳性瓶中分离出40株MRCNS。应用ATB药敏系统,测定了青霉素等17种抗生素的耐药性。结果：80株细菌中,分离出40株MRCNS（占50%）,其中溶血葡萄球菌17株（42.5%)居首位,表皮葡萄球菌15株（37.5%),其他葡萄球菌8株（20%）。药敏结果显示多重耐药。结论：凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌（CNS）已成为小儿血培养的第一位检出菌,主要为溶血葡萄球菌和表皮葡萄球菌,MRCNS占主导地位（达50%左右）,成为新生儿病房院内感染的主要致病菌。药敏结果显示MRCNS呈多重耐药,万古霉素及其他糖肽类抗生素是治疗MRCNS感染的首选药物,MRCNS在新生儿病房造成院内感染的危害性以及耐药性应引起广泛关注。     

儿童血液凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌的感染情况及耐药性分析

目的了解本院儿童血培养凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌（CNS）的感染率及其药物敏感情况,为儿科合理使用抗生素提供依据。方法对本院2006年1月至2007年12月间住院及门诊儿童血液培养的结果进行回顾性统计分析。结果在1265例儿童血培养中共检出CNS117株,其中表皮葡萄球菌41株（占35．0％）,人葡萄球菌27株（占23．1％）,溶血葡萄球菌21株（占18．0％）,其他凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌28株（占23．9％）;耐甲氧西林凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌（MRCNS）分离率为79．5％;MRCNS药敏结果显示多重耐药。结论CNS已成为儿童血液感染的重要致病菌,MRCNS检出率高且多重耐药,万古霉素、喹宁始霉素-达福普汀、呋西地酸是治疗MRCNS感染的首选药物。     

Reduced susceptibility to triclosan in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Susceptibility to triclosan in Staphylococcus aureus was determined. The study was carried out on 200 strains, including 100 resistant (MRSA) and 100 susceptibile (MSSA) to methicillin. The examined strains were isolated from varied clinical samples and patients in 18 medical centers, in majority from hospitals in the region of Gdansk. The susceptibility was estimated by the MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) using dilution test in Mueller-Hinton agar. The antimicrobial resistance patterns were determined, including resistance to methicillin and mupirocin. The most of MRSA strains (62%) demonstrated reduced susceptibility to triclosan (MIC 2mg/L), while 93% of MSSA strains were highly sensitive to this antibacterial agent (MIC 0,031mg/L). The majority (66,1%) of MRSA strains with reduced susceptibility to triclosan demonstrated the same antimicrobial resistance pattern. Reduced susceptibility to triclosan was observed in 8 from 9 high - level mupirocin resistant strains, but the most of MRSA strains with reduced triclosan susceptibility (91,5%) were found among fusidic acid resistant strains.     

Molecular characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in hospitals in Niigata, Japan: divergence and transmission

The major methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) distributed among hospitals in Japan is New York/Japan clone [multilocus sequence type 5 (ST5), agr type 2 and methicillin resistance locus type (SCC mec) II] which possesses both the toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 gene (tst) and staphylococcal enterotoxin C gene (sec). In this study, we collected 245 MRSA strains from four hospitals during 2001 to 2005 in Niigata, Japan, and analyzed tst and sec genes and SCC mec type among them. A total of 13 strains were further examined for their genotypes, virulence gene patterns and drug resistance. Among the 245 strains four tst sec genes patterns were observed; tst(+) sec(+) strains represented a majority of 86.5% and 9.4% were tst(-) sec(-). SCCmec typing revealed that 91.4% had type II, 4.1% type IV and 4.1% type I. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) revealed that 10 of the 13 typed strains belonged to clonal complex 5 (7 had ST5 while 3 were single locus variants of ST5) with similar characteristics to the New York/Japan clone and possessed multi-drug resistance with high virulence gene content. The remaining 3 strains were ST8 (n=2) and ST91 (n=1). The ST91 strain had SCC mec IV and seemed to originate in the community, while ST8 strains exhibited SCC mec type I, which is distinct from community type IV. The data suggest that MRSA in hospitals in Niigata now mainly includes the New York/Japan clone (undergoing genomic divergence and clonal expansion) and other minor types (e.g. ST8) as well as the community type.     

Characteristics of defective strains of methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus that do not produce coagulase or CF

The aim of the study was to estimate frequency of coagulase-negative and CF-negative strains among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and to assess their homogeneicity in respect of genotype, phagotype and drug resistance pattern. A total of 186 MRSA strains collected from different hospitals in Gdańsk region were studied. Gens: nuc, mecA, and coa were identified by PCR method. The coagulase tube test for staphylocoagulase and the slide test for clumping factor were used. Coagulase-negative and CF-negative MRSA strains were confirmed by PCR-RFLP method of coa gene; phage typing and drug resistance pattern were evaluated by disc diffusion test. The results of the study showed low frequency of both coagulase-negative and CF-negative MRSA strains (7.25% and 3.76% respectively). Among MRSA population tested the simultaneous occurrence of the strains lacking coagulase and clumping factor was not observed. All coagulase negative MRSA had coagulase gene (coa) and differed from CF-negative strains in respect of coa gene.     

Clonal replacement of epidemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains in a German university hospital over a period of eleven years

Worldwide, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pose an increased risk for healthcare- and community-associated infections. Since the first report of MRSA in England in 1961, several distinct clones or strains have emerged. Changes within the MRSA population of whole countries, small regions or of single hospitals have been observed with some clones replacing others. In this study, the clonal replacement of MRSA isolates in a South-eastern German tertiary care hospital between 2000 and 2010 is described based on microarray analyses of 778 isolates and at least 50 MRSA per year. Within these eleven years, four common epidemic strains, CC22-MRSA-IV, CC45-MRSA-IV, CC5/ST228-MRSA-I (including a variant with a truncated SCCmec element) and CC5-MRSA-II were identified. The PVL-negative CC22-MRSA-IV strain (Barnim Epidemic Strain, UK-EMRSA-15) was detected for the first time in 2001 and its abundance increased since then to 58.6% in 2010. CC5-MRSA-II increased from 2% (2000) to about 30% (2003), and since then it fluctuates between 23 and 37% of isolates. CC5/ST228-MRSA-I decreased from about the half of tested isolates (2000) to 2.3% (2010). A similar trend was observed for CC45-MRSA-IV, which decreased drastically down to 3.4% in 2010 after reaching a maximum of 62.0% in 2002. Seventeen other PVL-negative MRSA strains were identified sporadically with no significant trend being observed. Seven PVL-positive MRSA strains were found, but they remained rare during the study period accounting together for 2.7% of isolates.     

血培养病原菌构成及耐药性分析

了解2008年至2012年哈尔滨医科大学附属第一医院血培养常见病原菌构成及耐药性。对血培养分离出的病原菌进行鉴定,用MIC法、K-B法测定药物敏感性,用WHONET 5.6统计软件进行细菌菌谱及耐药性分析。共分离出病原菌4 245株;其中凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌最多,947株占22.3%;其次为大肠埃希菌822株,肺炎克雷伯菌520株,鲍曼不动杆菌195株,金黄色葡萄球菌142株;耐甲氧西林凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌(MRCNS)和耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)检出率分别为81.1%、38.8%,未发现耐万古霉素、利奈唑胺及替考拉宁的凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌和金黄色葡萄球菌;大肠埃希菌及肺炎克雷伯菌产ESBLs检出率分别为55.2%、53.8%,对头孢哌酮/舒巴坦、哌拉西林/他唑巴坦、头孢替坦、头孢西丁、阿米卡星的耐药率较低,对碳青霉烯类抗菌药物存在耐药现象;鲍曼不动杆菌对抗菌药物的耐药率普遍较高。及时、准确地对血培养分离出的病原菌进行监测,以便指导临床合理用药,控制耐药株的产生。     

烧伤病房患者创面金葡菌分布及耐药性分析

目的分析烧伤病房患者不同创面金葡菌的分布及耐药性,为临床合理选用抗菌药提供依据。方法对2006年1月至2013年12月间中国人民解放军第八五医院烧伤病房患者创面分离出金葡菌,采用K—B纸片扩散法进行药物敏感试验。分析金葡菌的耐药性,并对难愈性创面、非难愈性创面的耐甲氧西林金葡菌（MRSA）与甲氧西林敏感金葡菌（MSSA）的耐药性进行对比分析。结果分离出金葡菌112株,其中难愈性创面有70株MRSA和17株MSSA来自难愈性创面,16株MRSA和9株MSSA来自非难愈性创面。金葡菌对青霉素、红霉素、克林霉素的耐药率较高（分别为94．64％、81．25％和74．11％）,对复方新诺明、呋喃妥因的耐药率较低（分别为16．07％和1．79％）,对万古霉素、利奈唑烷的耐药率为0。MRSA的耐药率高于MSSA。来源于难愈性创面与非难愈性创面的MRSA仅在对利福平的耐药率上有明显差异,而来源于两创面的MSSA的耐药率无明显差异。结论创面金葡菌中MRSA的构成比高,难愈性创面MRSA耐药严重,应积极防控创面MRSA感染和扩散。     

Comparison of methods for the detection of methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus isolates from food products

AIMS: To compare several methods for detection of methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus isolates from food. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two hundred S. aureus isolates from food of animal origin were screened for methicillin resistance by a PCR assay specific for the mecA gene, an oxacillin agar screen test and a cefoxitin disk diffusion test. Six out of 200 strains (3%) were found to be methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by PCR. The oxacillin agar screen test detected only one of the MRSA isolates (sensitivity of 16.7%) and mischaracterized three additional strains as MRSA (specificity of 98.45%). None of the MRSA strains was detected by the cefoxitin test (sensitivity of 0%), while 15 methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) strains were misclassified as resistant (specificity of 92.3%). Fifteen MSSA strains displayed a beta-lactamase hyperproducer-like phenotype. The six MRSA (mecA-positive) strains resembled the characteristics of heteroresistant strains. CONCLUSIONS: As MRSA of animal origin may display atypical phenotypes, PCR appears to be more reliable for detection of methicillin resistance in animal strains. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The study stresses the need for implementing the methods of screening S. aureus from food of animal origin for methicillin resistance.     

血培养中病原菌分布及药敏调查分析

目的了解血培养中病原菌的分布及药敏情况,供临床借鉴。方法对中山大学附属第三医院血培养标本中所分离到的细菌及药敏结果进行统计分析。结果从血培养标本中分离到细菌239株,其中其中革兰阴性杆菌(G-b)131株,占52.6%,革兰阳性球菌(G+c)99株,占39.8%(99/236),真菌占6.8%,大肠埃希菌和肺炎克雷伯菌产ESBLs菌检出率分别是54.2%和48.6%,只对亚胺培南、特治星和阿米卡星敏感,敏感率超过85%,G+c中,耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)和耐甲氧西林凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌(MRCNS)的检出率分别是42.9%和89.2%,只对万古霉素敏感(100%),检出的肠球菌已出现对万古霉素耐药。结论血培养分离的病原菌分布复杂,产ESBLs菌和MRS菌株检出率高,临床应重视血培养检测结果.合理用药。     

神经外科重症监护病房常见病原菌及耐药性分析

目的:了解神经外科重症监护病房(NICU)常见病原菌及其耐药情况,为临床抗菌药物合理使用提供理论依据。方法:收集2009年1月-2010年12月NICU收治患者的各种标本,对病原菌的分布情况及其对抗菌药物的耐药情况进行回顾性分析。结果:分离出病原菌537株,其中革兰氏阴性菌239株(占68.72%),革兰氏阳性菌139株(占25.88%),真菌29株(占5.40%);前5位病原菌依次为鲍曼不动杆菌(19.93%)、肺炎克雷伯菌(18.44%)、金黄色葡萄球菌(12.29%)、铜绿假单胞菌(7.82%)、大肠埃希氏菌(5.77%);产超广谱β-内酰胺酶(ESBLs)肺炎克雷伯菌和大肠埃希氏菌分离率分别为37.37%、64.52%;耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)分离率和耐甲氧西林凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌(MRCNS)分离率分别为63.08%、87.50%。结论:NICU病原菌以革兰氏阴性菌为主,对常用抗菌药物的耐药性高。需持续进行细菌流行病学及耐药性监测,指导临床合理使用抗菌药物,减少细菌耐药性产生。     

Characterisation of virulence genes in methicillin susceptible and resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from a paediatric population in a university hospital of Medellín, Colombia

Virulence and antibiotic resistance are significant determinants of the types of infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and paediatric groups remain among the most commonly affected populations. The goal of this study was to characterise virulence genes of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains isolated from a paediatric population of a Colombian University Hospital during 2009. Sixty MSSA and MRSA isolates were obtained from paediatric patients between zero-14 years. We identified the genes encoding virulence factors, which included Panton-Valentine leucocidine (PVL), staphylococcal enterotoxins A-E, exfoliative toxins A and B and toxic shock syndrome toxin 1. Typing of the staphylococcal chromosome cassette mec (SCCmec) was performed in MRSA strains. The virulence genes were more diverse and frequent in MSSA than in MRSA isolates (83% vs. 73%). MRSA strains harboured SCCmec types IVc (60%), I (30%), IVa (7%) and V (3%). SCCmec type IVc isolates frequently carried the PVL encoding genes and harboured virulence determinants resembling susceptible strains while SCCmec type I isolates were often negative. PVL was not exclusive to skin and soft tissue infections. As previously suggested, these differences in the distribution of virulence factor genes may be due to the fitness cost associated with methicillin resistance.     

Molecular epidemiology of clinical and carrier strains of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the hospital settings of north India

Background

The study was conducted between 2000 and 2003 on 750 human subjects, yielding 850 strains of staphylococci from clinical specimens (575), nasal cultures of hospitalized patients (100) and eye & nasal sources of hospital workers (50 & 125 respectively) in order to determine their epidemiology, acquisition and dissemination of resistance genes.

Methods

Organisms from clinical samples were isolated, cultured and identified as per the standard routine procedures. Susceptibility was measured by the agar diffusion method, as recommended by the Nat ional Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS). The modified method of Birnboin and Takahashi was used for isolation of plasmids from staphylococci. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing of clinical and carrier Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains isolated during our study was performed as described previously.

Results

It was shown that 35.1% of Staphylococcus aureus and 22.5% of coagulase-negative staphylococcal isolates were resistant to methicillin. Highest percentage of MRSA (35.5%) was found in pus specimens (n = 151). The multiple drug resistance of all MRSA (n = 180) and Methicillin resistant Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus aureus (MRCNS) (n = 76) isolates was detected. In case of both methicillin-resistant as well as methicillin-sensitive Saphylococcal isolates zero resistance was found to vancomycin where as highest resistance was found to penicillin G followed by ampicillin. It was shown that the major reservoir of methicillin resistant staphylococci in hospitals are colonized/infected inpatients and colonized hospital workers, with carriers at risk for developing endogenous infection or transmitting infection to health care workers and patients. The results were confirmed by molecular typing using PFGE by SmaI-digestion. It was shown that the resistant markers G and T got transferred from clinical S. aureus (JS-105) to carrier S. aureus (JN-49) and the ciprofloxacin (Cf) and erythromycin (E) resistance seemed to be chromosomal mediated. In one of the experiments, plasmid pJMR1O from Staphylococcus aureus coding for ampicillin (A), gentamicin (G) and amikacin (Ak) resistance was transformed into Escherichia coli. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for A and G were lower in E. coli than in S. aureus. However, the MIC for Ak was higher in E. coli transformants than in S. aureus.

Conclusion

There is a progressive increase in MRSA prevalence and multi-drug resistance in staphylococci. Vancomycin is still the drug of choice for MRSA infections. The major reservoir of methicillin resistant staphylococci in hospitals is colonized/infected inpatients and colonized hospital workers. Resistance transfer from staphylococci to E. coli as well as from clinical to carrier staphylococci due to antibiotic stress seemed to be an alarming threat to antimicrobial chemotherapy.     

Sensitivity of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from the patients of the SP ZOZ Hospital in Nidzica to bacteriocidal agents

The aim of this study was to evaluate a frequency of isolation and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from clinical specimens obtained from patients hospitalized in different hospital wards (SP ZOZ) in Nidzica from 01. 09. 2000 to 31. 12. 2003. During over three years 716 Staphylococcus aureus strains were cultured out of 15517 clinical specimens supplied to the Bacteriological Laboratory of SP ZOZ in Nidzica. S. aureus strains were isolated from 4.6% of examined samples. Samples were collected from patients hospitalized in all wards (five wards). Analysis of susceptibility to antimicrobial agents of identified S. aureus strains was performed. Seventy strains (9.8%) were metihicillin-resistant (MRSA). One hundred twenty four strains (17.3%) revealed inducible resistance to macrolides, linkosamides and streptogramins B (MLS, mechanism). The greatest activity in vitro against clinical S. aureus strains showed glycopeptide antibiotic--vancomycin (100% of susceptible strains). Clinical S. aureus strains isolated from patients of hospital in Nidzica are in the majority susceptible to antibiotics/chemotherapeutics, except of penicillin. Percentage of methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA) is not high (<10). Nevertheless, constant monitoring of a drug susceptibility of nosocomial S. aureus strains is important, considering the necessity of control of current epidemiological and therapeutic situation.     

深圳市人民医院近五年临床分离金黄色葡萄球菌的 分布及耐药性分析

目的分析医院感染患者金黄色葡萄球菌的临床分布特征及耐药性变化,为临床治疗金黄色葡萄球菌感染提供依据。方法回顾性分析2012年1月至2016年12月我院从临床各类标本中分离获得的1 141株金黄色葡萄球菌,统计其在各类标本和病区中的分布特点,并用K-B法测定该菌对常用抗菌药物的敏感性。结果 5年中共分离出1 141株金黄色葡萄球菌,标本来源构成比最多的是伤口分泌物(43.3%)、呼吸道标本(24.0%)和血液标本(10.2%)。耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)共有339株,占29.7%。各年MRSA的检出数依次为53株(31.9%)、51株(26.0%)、82株(35.2%)、81株(30.3%)和72株(26.0%)。MRSA主要分离自神经外科(13.8%)、呼吸监护室(10.6%)、重症监护室(8.8%)和骨科(7.7%)。MRSA对抗菌药物的耐药性普遍高于MSSA,二者比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。未发现对万古霉素、利奈唑胺、替考拉宁耐药的金黄色葡萄球菌。结论 MRSA感染多发生于长期使用抗菌药物,有皮肤软组织伤口及侵入性操作的科室及患者。MRSA具有多重耐药性,应严格掌握抗菌药物的使用适应证;同时临床治疗应根据药物敏感性报告针对性地合理用药,以便及时有效地控制感染并防止耐药菌株的扩散。     

重症监护病房凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌分布及耐药性分析

目的了解重症监护病房(ICU)凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌(CNS)临床分布及耐药情况,以期指导临床合理使用抗菌药物。方法采用VITEK-2细菌鉴定及药敏分析系统,对2009年10月至2010年9月重症监护病房的患者各类标本分离的凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌进行鉴定和药敏试验。结果共检出CNS 189株,以表皮葡萄球菌和溶血葡萄球菌为主,占71.42%。耐甲氧西林凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌(MRCNS)122株,分离率为61.5%,β-内酰胺酶检出率达100%,MRCNS对青霉素、红霉素、苯唑西林耐药率最高,分别达100%、93.44%、91.80%,对复方新诺明、喹诺酮类药的耐药率次之,对利福平、呋西地酸、替考拉宁、喹奴普汀/达福普汀等耐药率均较低;甲氧西林敏感凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌(MSCNS)67株,分离率为38.5%,β-内酰胺酶检出率为61.1%,MSCNS对大多数抗生素敏感;189株CNS中未检测到万古霉素耐药株。结论 ICU分离的CNS以表皮葡萄球菌和溶血葡萄球菌为主,MRCNS检出率高且呈多重耐药,万古霉素、呋西地酸、替考拉宁、喹奴普汀/达福普汀是治疗MRCNS感染的首选药物。     

Molecular analysis and antimicrobial susceptibility of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in one of the hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences: high prevalence of sequence type 239 (ST239) clone

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), particularly the multidrug-resistant clones, is an increasing worldwide problem. The average incidence rate of MRSA in Tehran was found to be over 40%. A total of 140 MRSA isolates obtained from patients attending a teaching hospital in Tehran, from May 2009 to December 2009, were included in this study. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile of MRSA isolates was determined by the agar disk diffusion method. Molecular analysis of MRSA strains was accomplished by Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) and Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). Detection of mecA gene was used to confirm resistance to methicillin among the MRSA isolates. All the MRSA isolates were susceptible to chloramphenicol, teicoplanin, tigecycline and vancomycin. All MRSAisolates were resistant to oxacillin, whilst 139 strains showed resistance against ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, gentamicin, tetracycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. PFGE analysis of all the 140 MRSA isolates produced five distinct pulsotypes designated as pulsotypes A-E. Most of the isolates (n=132) were clustered into pulsotype A. The most prevalent sequence type (ST) was ST 239 (pulsotype A) found in 82% (37/45) of the tested isolates. The second most prevalent type was ST 1238 (pulsotypes B, C and D) found in 15% (7/45) of the isolates. The remaining type, ST 8 (pulsotype E) was found in a single isolate. The results of this study indicated that the MRSA clone ST 239 was a major clone in the selected university hospital of Tehran and that it was widely spread among the different wards as well as all the age groups of patients.     

The presence of qacA/B gene in Brazilian methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

A total of 74 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains isolated from three government hospitals in 2002 and 2003 were examined concerning the distribution of qacA/B gene, which is the determinant of resistance to quaternary ammonium compounds largely employed in hospital disinfection. By polymerase chain reaction the qacA/B gene was found in 80% of the isolates, which is a significant result considering it is the first time that qacA/B gene is being reported for Brazilian MRSA strains and it is presented at a high rate.