title: Molecular epidemiology of community-associated meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Asia.
abstract: In Asia, most reports on the epidemiology of community-associated meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) are from developed countries, with few data from resource-limited countries, not because of low actual prevalence, but probably because of scarce diagnostic facilities. The rate of MRSA in all community-associated S. aureus infections in Asian countries ranges from 2·5% to 39%. Unlike the predominance of USA300-sequence type (ST) 8 staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type IV in the USA, the molecular epidemiology of CA-MRSA in Asia is characterised by clonal heterogeneity, similar to that in Europe. The emergence of CA-MRSA is a threat in both community and hospital settings because such strains are now more prevalent than are health-care-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) strains. Many epidemic clones are in circulation in Asia and with scarce data available, concern has arisen that CA-MRSA could have devastating results if it becomes epidemic in resource-poor regions. The epidemiology of CA-MRSA in Asia is closely linked with the health of both developing and developed countries. The present situation of CA-MRSA in Asia is important not only for local public health, but also to provide a better understanding of the successful epidemic clones of this global pathogen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, St Mary's Hospital, Luodong, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Yu
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: Yhu-Chering
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D001208:Asia / Q000453:epidemiology; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000235:genetics*; D015995:Prevalence; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology