An additional set of phages to characterize epidemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains from Spain (1989-92).
In recent years, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates in Spain have increased dramatically; in 1986 there were only 1.2% MRSA amongst all nosocomial Staphylococcus aureus (SA) isolates, by 1989 this percentage had risen to 44% in some hospital causing a very serious epidemic situation in the country. We have characterized these isolates by direct, reverse and Fisk phage typing and we have also looked for an additional local set of phages to help us to differentiate these strains. We have been able to differentiate an epidemic strain from other MRSA strains which cause sporadic hospital outbreaks, and we have also distinguished between some variants of the epidemic strain.
Vindel
A
A
Laboratorio de Referencia de fagotipia de S. aureus, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
Trincado
P
P
Gomez
E
E
Aparicio
P
P
Martin de Nicolas
M
M
Boquete
T
T
Saez Nieto
J A
JA
D001434:Bacteriophage Typing / Q000379:methods*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000145:classification*