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Namoune R, Djebbar A, Mekler R, McHugh M, Bekara MEA, Decano A, Holden MTG, Sebaihia M. Whole Genome Sequencing and Molecular Epidemiology of Clinical Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from Algeria. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2047. [PMID: 37630607 PMCID: PMC10457831 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11082047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen responsible for various healthcare- and community-acquired infections. In this study, whole genome sequencing (WGS) was used to genotype S. aureus clinical isolates from two hospitals in Algeria and to characterize their genetic determinants of antimicrobial resistance. Seventeen S. aureus isolates were included in this study. WGS, single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based phylogenetic analysis, in silico multilocus sequence typing (MLST), spa and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing and in silico antimicrobial resistance profiling were performed. Phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the Vitek 2 system and the disk diffusion method. The isolates were separated into sequence types (STs), with ST80 being predominant; five clonal complexes (CCs); four spa types (t044, t127, t368, t386); and two SCCmec types (IVc and IVa). Whole genome analysis revealed the presence of the resistance genes mecA, blaZ, ermC, fusB, fusC, tetK, aph(3')-IIIa and aad(6) and mutations conferring resistance in the genes parC and fusA. The rate of multidrug resistance (MDR) was 64%. This work provides a high-resolution characterization of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) isolates and emphasizes the importance of continuous surveillance to monitor the spread of S. aureus in healthcare settings in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachida Namoune
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University Hassiba Benbouali of Chlef, Chlef 02000, Algeria; (R.N.); (A.D.)
| | - Abla Djebbar
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University Hassiba Benbouali of Chlef, Chlef 02000, Algeria; (R.N.); (A.D.)
| | - Rebecca Mekler
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TF, UK (M.T.G.H.)
| | - Martin McHugh
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TF, UK (M.T.G.H.)
| | - Mohammed El Amine Bekara
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University Hassiba Benbouali of Chlef, Chlef 02000, Algeria; (R.N.); (A.D.)
| | - Arun Decano
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TF, UK (M.T.G.H.)
| | - Matthew T. G. Holden
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TF, UK (M.T.G.H.)
| | - Mohammed Sebaihia
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University Hassiba Benbouali of Chlef, Chlef 02000, Algeria; (R.N.); (A.D.)
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Lakhundi S, Zhang K. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Molecular Characterization, Evolution, and Epidemiology. Clin Microbiol Rev 2018; 31:e00020-18. [PMID: 30209034 PMCID: PMC6148192 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00020-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 724] [Impact Index Per Article: 120.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus, a major human pathogen, has a collection of virulence factors and the ability to acquire resistance to most antibiotics. This ability is further augmented by constant emergence of new clones, making S. aureus a "superbug." Clinical use of methicillin has led to the appearance of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). The past few decades have witnessed the existence of new MRSA clones. Unlike traditional MRSA residing in hospitals, the new clones can invade community settings and infect people without predisposing risk factors. This evolution continues with the buildup of the MRSA reservoir in companion and food animals. This review focuses on imparting a better understanding of MRSA evolution and its molecular characterization and epidemiology. We first describe the origin of MRSA, with emphasis on the diverse nature of staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). mecA and its new homologues (mecB, mecC, and mecD), SCCmec types (13 SCCmec types have been discovered to date), and their classification criteria are discussed. The review then describes various typing methods applied to study the molecular epidemiology and evolutionary nature of MRSA. Starting with the historical methods and continuing to the advanced whole-genome approaches, typing of collections of MRSA has shed light on the origin, spread, and evolutionary pathways of MRSA clones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahreena Lakhundi
- Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance, Alberta Health Services/Calgary Laboratory Services/University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kunyan Zhang
- Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance, Alberta Health Services/Calgary Laboratory Services/University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- The Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Boswihi SS, Udo EE. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus : An update on the epidemiology, treatment options and infection control. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cmrp.2018.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Conceição T, Coelho C, Santos Silva I, de Lencastre H, Aires-de-Sousa M. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the Community in Luanda, Angola: Blurred Boundaries with the Hospital Setting. Microb Drug Resist 2015; 22:22-7. [PMID: 26505094 DOI: 10.1089/mdr.2015.0236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the nosocomial prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Angola is over 60% and one of the highest in Africa, the extent of MRSA in the community is unknown. To fill this gap, we conducted a hospital-based study in which 158 children attending the emergency ward and ambulatory services of a pediatric hospital in Luanda, the capital of Angola, were screened for S. aureus nasal colonization. Overall, 70 (44.3%) individuals were colonized with S. aureus, of which 20 (28.6%) carried MRSA, resulting in a prevalence of 12.7% (20/158) of MRSA in the population screened. Molecular characterization by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), spa typing, multilocus sequence typing, and SCCmec typing distributed the isolates into two major MRSA clones and one dominant methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) lineage, corresponding to the main clones circulating in hospitals in Luanda. The MRSA isolates mainly belonged to clones A (PFGE type A, spa type t105, ST5-IVa-65%) and B (PFGE B, t3869, ST88-IVa-30%), while MSSA isolates mainly belonged to clone L (PFGE type L, t861, ST508-42%). S. aureus isolates showed resistance to penicillin (96%), rifampin (87%), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (21%). In conclusion, the prevalence of MRSA among children in the community in Luanda is high and seems to originate from hospitals, warranting continuous monitoring and implementation of additional infection control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Conceição
- 1 Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier (ITQB), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL) , Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Céline Coelho
- 1 Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier (ITQB), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL) , Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Isabel Santos Silva
- 2 Escola Superior de Saúde da Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa (ESSCVP) , Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Hermínia de Lencastre
- 1 Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier (ITQB), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL) , Oeiras, Portugal .,3 Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, The Rockefeller University , New York, New York
| | - Marta Aires-de-Sousa
- 2 Escola Superior de Saúde da Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa (ESSCVP) , Lisboa, Portugal
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Harastani HH, Tokajian ST. Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clonal complex 80 type IV (CC80-MRSA-IV) isolated from the Middle East: a heterogeneous expanding clonal lineage. PLoS One 2014; 9:e103715. [PMID: 25078407 PMCID: PMC4117540 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The emergence of community-associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has caused a change in MRSA epidemiology worldwide. In the Middle East, the persistent spread of CA-MRSA isolates that were associated with multilocus sequence type (MLST) clonal complex 80 and with staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type IV (CC80-MRSA-IV), calls for novel approaches for infection control that would limit its spread. Methodology/Principal Findings In this study, the epidemiology of CC80-MRSA-IV was investigated in Jordan and Lebanon retrospectively covering the period from 2000 to 2011. Ninety-four S. aureus isolates, 63 (67%) collected from Lebanon and 31 (33%) collected from Jordan were included in this study. More than half of the isolates (56%) were associated with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), and 73 (78%) were Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) positive. Majority of the isolates (84%) carried the gene for exofoliative toxin d (etd), 19% had the Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin-1 gene (tst), and seven isolates from Jordan had a rare combination being positive for both tst and PVL genes. spa typing showed the prevalence of type t044 (85%) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) recognized 21 different patterns. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed the prevalence (36%) of a unique resistant profile, which included resistance to streptomycin, kanamycin, and fusidic acid (SKF profile). Conclusions The genetic diversity among the CC80 isolates observed in this study poses an additional challenge to infection control of CA-MRSA epidemics. CA-MRSA related to ST80 in the Middle East was distinguished in this study from the ones described in other countries. Genetic diversity observed, which may be due to mutations and differences in the antibiotic regimens between countries may have led to the development of heterogeneous strains. Hence, it is difficult to maintain “the European CA-MRSA clone” as a uniform clone and it is better to designate as CC80-MRSA-IV isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houda H. Harastani
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Sima T. Tokajian
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
- * E-mail:
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Tokajian S. New epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus infections in the Middle East. Clin Microbiol Infect 2014; 20:624-8. [DOI: 10.1111/1469-0691.12691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Figueiredo AMS, Ferreira FA. The multifaceted resources and microevolution of the successful human and animal pathogen methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2014; 109:265-78. [PMID: 24789555 PMCID: PMC4131778 DOI: 10.1590/0074-0276140016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2014] [Accepted: 03/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most important bacterial pathogens based on its incidence and the severity of its associated infections. In addition, severe MRSA infections can occur in hospitalised patients or healthy individuals from the community. Studies have shown the infiltration of MRSA isolates of community origin into hospitals and variants of hospital-associated MRSA have caused infections in the community. These rapid epidemiological changes represent a challenge for the molecular characterisation of such bacteria as a hospital or community-acquired pathogen. To efficiently control the spread of MRSA, it is important to promptly detect the mecA gene, which is the determinant of methicillin resistance, using a polymerase chain reaction-based test or other rapidly and accurate methods that detect the mecA product penicillin-binding protein (PBP)2a or PBP2'. The recent emergence of MRSA isolates that harbour a mecA allotype, i.e., the mecC gene, infecting animals and humans has raised an additional and significant issue regarding MRSA laboratory detection. Antimicrobial drugs for MRSA therapy are becoming depleted and vancomycin is still the main choice in many cases. In this review, we present an overview of MRSA infections in community and healthcare settings with focus on recent changes in the global epidemiology, with special reference to the MRSA picture in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Marie Sá Figueiredo
- Departamento de Microbiologia Médica , Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de
Góes , Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , RJ ,
Brasil
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Paul SK, Ghosh S, Kawaguchiya M, Urushibara N, Hossain MA, Ahmed S, Mahmud C, Jilani MSA, Haq JA, Ahmed AA, Kobayashi N. Detection and genetic characterization of PVL-positive ST8-MRSA-IVa and exfoliative toxin D-positive European CA-MRSA-Like ST1931 (CC80) MRSA-IVa strains in Bangladesh. Microb Drug Resist 2014; 20:325-36. [PMID: 24552553 DOI: 10.1089/mdr.2013.0153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe skin lesions caused by Staphylococcus aureus infection are associated with production from bacterial cells of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), a typical virulence factor of community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA), as well as other toxins represented by exfoliative toxins. Through a retrospective study of 26 S. aureus strains isolated from skin lesions of diabetic patients admitted to a hospital in Bangladesh, 2 PVL-gene-positive MRSA-IVa strains and 8 PVL-negative, exfoliative toxin D (ETD) gene (etd)-positive MRSA-IVa strains were isolated. A PVL-positive MRSA-IVa strain had a type I arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME), belonged to ST8/agr-type I/spa-type t121 (a variant of t008), and harbored blaZ, tet(K), msrA, and aph(3')-IIIa, which are mostly typical characteristics found in USA300, a predominant CA-MRSA clone in the United States. Another PVL-positive MRSA strain, belonging to ST1929 (CC88)/agr-type III/spa-type t3341, was negative for ACME, but possessed blaZ and tet(K). The etd-positive MRSA-IVa strains possessed the epidermal cell differentiation inhibitor B (EDIN-B)-encoding gene (edinB) and belonged to ST1931 (CC80)/agr-type III/spa-type t11023 (a variant of t044), which was genetic trait similar to that of the European CA-MRSA ST80 clone. However, unlike the European ST80 strains, the etd-positive MRSA strains detected in the present study harbored seb, sek, and seq, while they were negative for tet(K), aph(3')-IIIa, and fusB, showing susceptibility to fusidic acid. These findings suggested that etd-positive ST1931 MRSA strains belong to the same lineage as the European ST80 MRSA clone, evolving from a common ancestral clone via acquisition of a different pathogenicity island. This is the first report of a USA300-like MRSA-IV strain, PVL-positive ST1929 (CC88) MRSA-IV, and European ST80 CA-MRSA-like etd-positive ST1931 (CC80) MRSA-IV strains isolated in Bangladesh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shyamal Kumar Paul
- 1 Department of Microbiology, Mymensingh Medical College , Mymensingh, Bangladesh
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Schmid D, Simons E, Ruppitsch W, Hrivniaková L, Stoeger A, Wechsler-Fördös A, Peter L, Geppert F, Allerberger F. Limited value of routine spa typing: a cross-sectional study of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-positive patients in an Austrian hospital. Am J Infect Control 2013; 41:617-24. [PMID: 23375573 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2012.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2012] [Revised: 09/12/2012] [Accepted: 09/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We investigated whether spa typing is useful for indicating the setting of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) acquisition (community or health care acquired), the clinical relevance (colonization or infection), the type of infection (invasive or noninvasive), and the clinical outcome. METHODS Between August 2006 and December 2009, 381 routinely diagnosed culture-confirmed MRSA-positive patients were included into a cross-sectional study at an 800-bed hospital. RESULTS Out of 159 patients with colonization, 27 (17%) acquired MRSA in the community (CA-MRSA) and 123 (77.4%) in health care settings (HA-MRSA), and, of the 222 patients with infections, 119 (53.6%) had HA-MRSA and 103 (46.4%) had CA-MRSA. The 10 most frequent spa types accounted for 68.2% of the 346 typed MRSA isolates: t190 (28.3%), t032 (16.5%), t041 (9.4%), t008 (8.4%), t001 (3.4%), t002 (2.9%), t044 (3.1%), t223 (2.1%), t015 (2.1%), t127 (1.3%). CONCLUSION Spa typing of routinely identified MRSA isolates is unsuitable to predict the likeliness of an infection, of an invasive infection, and the clinical outcome. Molecular criteria such as spa type or Panton-Valentine leukocidin positivity used for classifying MRSA as either belonging to a community or hospital clone are of limited value to indicate the setting, where the MRSA strain was actually acquired according to epidemiologic criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Schmid
- Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), Vienna, Austria
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Nowrouzian FL, Karami N, Welinder-Olsson C, Åhrén C. Virulence gene typing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus as a complement in epidemiological typing. J Microbiol Methods 2013; 93:173-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2013.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2012] [Revised: 03/16/2013] [Accepted: 03/17/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Urbina O, Ferrández O, Espona M, Salas E, Ferrández I, Grau S. Potential role of tedizolid phosphate in the treatment of acute bacterial skin infections. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2013; 7:243-65. [PMID: 23589680 PMCID: PMC3622392 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s30728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Tedizolid phosphate (TR-701), a prodrug of tedizolid (TR-700), is a next-generation oxazolidinone that has shown favorable results in the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin-structure infections in its first Phase III clinical trial. Tedizolid has high bioavailability, penetration, and tissue distribution when administered orally or intravenously. The activity of tedizolid was greater than linezolid against strains of Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., and Enterococcus spp. in vitro studies, including strains resistant to linezolid and those not susceptible to vancomycin or daptomycin. Its pharmacokinetic characteristics allow for a once-daily administration that leads to a more predictable efficacy and safety profile than those of linezolid. No hematological adverse effects have been reported associated with tedizolid when used at the therapeutic dose of 200 mg in Phase I, II, or III clinical trials of up to 3 weeks of tedizolid administration. Given that the clinical and microbiological efficacy are similar for the 200, 300, and 400 mg doses, the lowest effective dose of 200 mg once daily for 6 days was selected for Phase III studies in acute bacterial skin and skin-structure infections, providing a safe dosing regimen with low potential for development of myelosuppression. Unlike linezolid, tedizolid does not inhibit monoamine oxidase in vivo, therefore interactions with adrenergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic drugs are not to be expected. In conclusion, tedizolid is a novel antibiotic with potent activity against Gram-positive microorganisms responsible for skin and soft tissue infections, including strains resistant to vancomycin, linezolid, and daptomycin, thus answers a growing therapeutic need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olatz Urbina
- Services of Hospital Pharmacy, Hospital Universitari del Mar, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
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Mediavilla JR, Chen L, Mathema B, Kreiswirth BN. Global epidemiology of community-associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA). Curr Opin Microbiol 2012; 15:588-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2012.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 269] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2012] [Revised: 08/20/2012] [Accepted: 08/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Willems RJL, Hanage WP, Bessen DE, Feil EJ. Population biology of Gram-positive pathogens: high-risk clones for dissemination of antibiotic resistance. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2011; 35:872-900. [PMID: 21658083 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2011.00284.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections caused by multiresistant Gram-positive bacteria represent a major health burden in the community as well as in hospitalized patients. Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium are well-known pathogens of hospitalized patients, frequently linked with resistance against multiple antibiotics, compromising effective therapy. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes are important pathogens in the community and S. aureus has recently emerged as an important community-acquired pathogen. Population genetic studies reveal that recombination prevails as a driving force of genetic diversity in E. faecium, E. faecalis, S. pneumoniae and S. pyogenes, and thus, these species are weakly clonal. Although recombination has a relatively modest role driving the genetic variation of the core genome of S. aureus, the horizontal acquisition of resistance and virulence genes plays a key role in the emergence of new clinically relevant clones in this species. In this review, we discuss the population genetics of E. faecium, E. faecalis, S. pneumoniae, S. pyogenes and S. aureus. Knowledge of the population structure of these pathogens is not only highly relevant for (molecular) epidemiological research but also for identifying the genetic variation that underlies changes in clinical behaviour, to improve our understanding of the pathogenic behaviour of particular clones and to identify novel targets for vaccines or immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rob J L Willems
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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De Angelis G, Cipriani M, Cauda R, Tacconelli E. Treatment of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections Due to Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Europe: The Role of Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Clin Infect Dis 2011; 52:1471-2; author reply 1472. [DOI: 10.1093/cid/cir247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Otter JA, French GL. Molecular epidemiology of community-associated meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Europe. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2010; 10:227-39. [DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(10)70053-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 231] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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