Clonal spread among Swedish children of a Staphylococcus aureus strain resistant to fusidic acid.
An increased incidence of fusidic acid-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains causing superficial infections among children in Sweden has been noted since the mid-1990s. Based on routine susceptibility testing data from 10 laboratories representing 8/21 Swedish counties during 1990-2001, the increase was first demonstrated in southern Sweden and subsequently became apparent throughout the country. Epidemiological typing using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of recent isolates of fusidic acid-resistant S. aureus from 11 laboratories representing 8/21 Swedish counties revealed a high degree of similarity of band patterns, indicating a clonal relationship. Data from 1 of the laboratories demonstrated a close connection between this clone and impetigo. Sales statistics showed a pronounced increase in the use of fusidic acid ointments in the 0-12 y age group from 1998 onwards. There was, however, no statistically significant correlation between sales of fusidic acid ointments and resistance among S. aureus strains to fusidic acid.
Osterlund
A
A
Department of Clinical Microbiology, Central Hospital, Växjö, Sweden. osterlund@ltkronoberg.se
Eden
T
T
Olsson-Liljequist
B
B
Haeggman
S
S
Kahlmeter
G
G
D000287:Administration, Topical; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D005260:Female; D005672:Fusidic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007169:Impetigo / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D009824:Ointments; D015995:Prevalence; D011336:Probability; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
D009824:Ointments; D005672:Fusidic Acid