MRSA ST22-IVa (EMRSA-15 clone) in Palermo, Italy.
Epidemic spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains carrying the Staphylococcal Chromosomal Cassettes (SCC) mec type IV is being increasingly reported in many geographical areas. A survey to determine the prevalence and characteristics of MRSA SCCmec IV isolates identified in four general hospitals in Palermo, Italy, was carried out. During the period February-June 2009, SCCmec type IVa has been found in 12 out of 94 isolates. Nine isolates from all hospitals and all strains from a NICU outbreak occurring in the same period were attributed with the ST22-IVa (EMRSA-15) clone. In our setting, due to the changing MRSA epidemiology, detection of SCCmec IV could be poorly predictive of CA-MRSA.
Department of Sciences for Health Promotion G. D'Alessandro, Section of Microbiology, University of Palermo, Italy.
Celestino
C
Bonura
Maria Rosa Anna
MR
Plano
Paola
P
Di Carlo
Cinzia
C
Calà
Domenico
D
Cipolla
Giovanni
G
Corsello
Caterina
C
Mammina
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015995:Prevalence; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*