Molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Costa Rican children

Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2014 Jul;33(7):e180-2. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000000291.

Abstract

We collected all Staphylococcus aureus isolates from the National Children's Hospital in Costa Rica to evaluate the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Of 299 S. aureus isolates, 61% were MRSA. Most MRSA isolates (94.5%) carried SCCmec IV, and 45.6% carried Panton-Valentine leukocidin-encoding genes. The high prevalence of MRSA in this population highlights the need for improvement of antibiotic prescription and infection control measures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Toxins / genetics
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chromosomes, Bacterial
  • Costa Rica / epidemiology
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Exotoxins / genetics
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Leukocidins / genetics
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / classification*
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / genetics*
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
  • Molecular Epidemiology
  • Molecular Typing*
  • Prevalence
  • Prospective Studies
  • Staphylococcal Infections / epidemiology*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology

Substances

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