title: Epidemiology and population structure of Staphylococcus aureus in various population groups from a rural and semi urban area in Gabon, Central Africa.
abstract: Little data is available on the epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus in Africa. In the present study we aim at characterizing the population structure of S. aureus in healthy subjects from a rural and a semi-urban area in Lambaréné, Gabon as well as in hospital staff and inpatients. In total, 500 subjects were screened for S. aureus colonization of the nares, axillae and inguinal region. Overall, 146 (29%) were positive. We found 46 different spa types. The most frequent spa types were t084 (35%) and the agr II was the most prevalent subtype of the accessory gene regulator (56%, n=82). Five isolates (3%) were methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Carriage rates of S. aureus in Gabon are comparable to developed countries. MRSA is for the first time described and could pose a significant health threat in this region with limited access to microbiological laboratory facilities and to adequate antimicrobial agents.
authors: Medical Research Unit, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Lambaréné, Gabon. ulyssus7000@gmail.com
authors: Ulysse
authors: U
authors: Ateba Ngoa
authors: Frieder
authors: F
authors: Schaumburg
authors: Ayola Akim
authors: AA
authors: Adegnika
authors: Katrin
authors: K
authors: Kösters
authors: Tina
authors: T
authors: Möller
authors: Elisabeth
authors: E
authors: Gaus
authors: Jose Francisco
authors: JF
authors: Fernandes
authors: Abraham
authors: A
authors: Alabi
authors: Saadou
authors: S
authors: Issifou
authors: Karsten
authors: K
authors: Becker
authors: Martin Peter
authors: MP
authors: Grobusch
authors: Peter Gottfried
authors: PG
authors: Kremsner
authors: Bertrand
authors: B
authors: Lell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001365:Axilla / Q000382:microbiology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005681:Gabon / Q000453:epidemiology; D005838:Genotype; D006119:Groin / Q000382:microbiology; D006282:Health Personnel; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D058889:Molecular Typing; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology; D012424:Rural Population; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D013205:Staphylococcal Protein A / Q000235:genetics; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C095698:Agr protein, Staphylococcus aureus; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D013205:Staphylococcal Protein A; D015534:Trans-Activators