International journal of antimicrobial agents
-
Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Nov 2009
Multicenter StudyMolecular analysis and susceptibility patterns of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains circulating in the community in the Ligurian area, a northern region of Italy: emergence of USA300 and EMRSA-15 clones.
For many years meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been considered a typical nosocomial pathogen. Recently, MRSA has emerged as a frequent cause of infections in the community. A multicentre surveillance study was carried out in the Ligurian area of Italy to evaluate the incidence, molecular nature and susceptibility patterns of MRSA strains circulating among outpatients. ⋯ Both community-associated MRSA and healthcare-associated MRSA epidemic international clones circulate among outpatients in our region. It is alarming that members of the most represented clonal group in our collection (USA300) can acquire multiresistance as well as PVL genes. Infection control measures in our area should be improved to avoid the selection of microorganisms displaying both traits simultaneously as well as the spread of these epidemic international clones.