Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections: an emerging threat in Spain

Clin Microbiol Infect. 2008 Apr;14(4):377-80. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2007.01934.x. Epub 2008 Jan 11.

Abstract

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has not been recognised previously as a cause of MRSA infections in Spain. Nineteen patients carrying Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive MRSA were identified in a Barcelona hospital, of whom 15 were immigrants, mostly from South America. Twelve developed skin and soft-tissue infections. The associated isolates carried the PVL gene and staphylococcal chromosomal cassette (SCC)mecIV. A dominant clone belonging to sequence type (ST)8 and related to the USA300 clone was identified by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. This clone is emerging in Spain, primarily among immigrants from South America, but dissemination to the native Spanish population could increase.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bacterial Toxins / genetics
  • Child
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / epidemiology*
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / microbiology
  • Community-Acquired Infections / epidemiology*
  • Community-Acquired Infections / microbiology
  • Emigration and Immigration
  • Exotoxins / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukocidins / genetics
  • Male
  • Methicillin Resistance*
  • Middle Aged
  • Soft Tissue Infections / epidemiology
  • Soft Tissue Infections / microbiology
  • Spain / epidemiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / epidemiology*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Staphylococcal Skin Infections / epidemiology
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*

Substances

  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Exotoxins
  • Leukocidins
  • Panton-Valentine leukocidin