Genetic characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from humans and animals within the community

• Published in: Taehan Suŭi Hakhoe chi Vol. 51; no. 4
• Main Authors: Cho, J.K., Metropolitan Health and Environmental Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea, Kim, J.H., Gangwondo Veterinary Serivice Laboratory, Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea, Sung, M.S., Gyeongbuk Veterinary Serivice Laboratory, Daegu, Republic of Korea, Kim, K.S., Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 01.12.2011
• Subjects: mecA gene; MRSA; PFGE; SCCmec type; STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS
• ISSN: 1225-0198

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (S.) aureus (MRSA) is one of the most important nosocomial pathogens worldwide and the emergence of this strain has become a major clinical problem. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of MRSA and their genetic characteristics in 69 S. aureus isolated from humans and animals. In human isolates, higher antimicrobial resistance rates were observed against penicillin (80.6%), followed by erythromycin (11.9%) and tetracycline (9.0%). All of them were susceptible to clindamycin, enrofloxacin, novobiocin, pirlimycin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and vancomycin. The resistance patterns in animal isolates were similar to those of human isolates. Two (2.9%) MRSA strains were isolated from human (n = 1) and animal (n = 1), and these isolates were confirmed as carrying the mecA gene. One isolate originating from human was resistant to 7 drugs and the other isolate derived from animal was resistant to 11 drugs. Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) variant IIIB was identified in animal isolate but SCCmec type of an isolate from human was not exactly determined. Two MRSA isolates showed unrelated PFGE pattern between them. Our results indicated although the frequency of MRSA isolates from humans and animals was low, a continuous surveillance and monitoring should be called for to prevent the contamination and spread of MRSA in the community. To our knowledge, this is the first time that SCCmec type variant IIIB was detected from animals in Korea.