title: METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS: 1-YEAR COLLECTION AND CHARACTERIZATION FROM PATIENTS IN TWO TERTIARY HOSPITALS, SOUTHERN THAILAND.
abstract: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important pathogen causing nosocomial and other types of infections worldwide. In a one-year survey of patients in two tertiary hospitals, namely, Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat and VachiraPhuket Hospitals, southern Thailand, 64 MRSA strains (prevalence of 8.1%) were obtained mainly from the elderly (> 45 years of age). PCR-based assay revealed high prevalence of virulence genes, femB (30%) and spa (34%), and of SCCmec type II from VachiraPhuket (36%) and Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat (38%) Hospitals. The majority of MRSA strains were resistant to clindamycin (98%), erythromycin (95%), gentamicin (84%), and tetracycline (80%), while still sensitive to chloramphenicol, cotrimoxazole, fusidic acid, and vancomycin. These data are important for effective treatment of MRSA-infected patients and for implementing control strategies to prevent spread of MRSA within hospitals.
authors.forename: Natthakul
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bunnueang
authors.forename: Sutthiporn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kongpheng
authors.forename: Patcharin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yadrak
authors.forename: Pattamarat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rattanachuay
authors.forename: Saowapar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khianngam
authors.forename: Pharanai
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sukhumungoon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D008875:Middle Aged; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D013785:Thailand; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents