Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections: an emerging threat in Spain.
Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has not been recognised previously as a cause of MRSA infections in Spain. Nineteen patients carrying Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive MRSA were identified in a Barcelona hospital, of whom 15 were immigrants, mostly from South America. Twelve developed skin and soft-tissue infections. The associated isolates carried the PVL gene and staphylococcal chromosomal cassette (SCC)mecIV. A dominant clone belonging to sequence type (ST)8 and related to the USA300 clone was identified by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. This clone is emerging in Spain, primarily among immigrants from South America, but dissemination to the native Spanish population could increase.
Manzur
A
A
Infectious Diseases Service, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. admanzur@yahoo.com.ar
Dominguez
A M
AM
Pujol
M
M
González
M P M
MP
Limon
E
E
Hornero
A
A
Martín
R
R
Gudiol
F
F
Ariza
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005098:Exotoxins / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007956:Leukocidins / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008875:Middle Aged; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013207:Staphylococcal Skin Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D005098:Exotoxins; D007956:Leukocidins; C078284:Panton-Valentine leukocidin