Slime formation as a marker of serious infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are potential pathogens in patients undergoing major surgery and in patients who are immunocompromised. Some MRSA produce a viscous extracellular slime that may interfere with immune function. In this study, slime formation by MRSA was examined in cases of nosocomial infection by this pathogen at a single hospital. The antibacterial resistance, phage and enterotoxin characteristics of strains isolated from patients with fatal infections were determined. MRSA strains were classified as those associated with fatal infection; causing progressive infection; causing superficial infection; and those isolated from the nasal cavity of the health-care professionals as a control group. The incidence of slime formation was highest in the MRSA associated with fatal infection. The incidence of slime formation in the control group was significantly lower than that in the other groups. Results suggest that slime formation by MRSA may be associated with a more severe infection. Rapid identification of slime-forming MRSA may facilitate the initiation of appropriate treatment and improve the patient's prognosis.
Takahashi
A
A
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gunma University School of Medicine, Japan.
Yomoda
S
S
Kanda
T
T
Fukumura
Y
Y
Ohkubo
T
T
Inoue
M
M
Kobayashi
I
I
D015415:Biomarkers; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011379:Prognosis; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D013204:Staphylococcus Phages / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*
D015415:Biomarkers; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial