Korean J Vet Res.  2011 Dec;51(4):267-275.

Genetic characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from humans and animals within the community

• Cho JK
• Kim JH
• Sung MS
• Kim KS

Abstract

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (S.) aureus (MRSA) is one of the most important nosocomial pathogens worldwide and the emergence of this strain has become a major clinical problem. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of MRSA and their genetic characteristics in 69 S. aureus isolated from humans and animals. In human isolates, higher antimicrobial resistance rates were observed against penicillin (80.6%), followed by erythromycin (11.9%) and tetracycline (9.0%). All of them were susceptible to clindamycin, enrofloxacin, novobiocin, pirlimycin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and vancomycin. The resistance patterns in animal isolates were similar to those of human isolates. Two (2.9%) MRSA strains were isolated from human (n = 1) and animal (n = 1), and these isolates were confirmed as carrying the mecA gene. One isolate originating from human was resistant to 7 drugs and the other isolate derived from animal was resistant to 11 drugs. Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) variant IIIB was identified in animal isolate but SCCmec type of an isolate from human was not exactly determined. Two MRSA isolates showed unrelated PFGE pattern between them. Our results indicated although the frequency of MRSA isolates from humans and animals was low, a continuous surveillance and monitoring should be called for to prevent the contamination and spread of MRSA in the community. To our knowledge, this is the first time that SCCmec type variant IIIB was detected from animals in Korea.

Keyword

mecA gene; MRSA; PFGE; SCCmec type

MeSH Terms

Adenosine
Animals
Clindamycin
Erythromycin
Fluoroquinolones
Humans
Korea
Lifting
Methicillin Resistance
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Novobiocin
Penicillins
Prevalence
Sprains and Strains
Staphylococcus
Tetracycline
Vancomycin
Adenosine
Clindamycin
Erythromycin
Fluoroquinolones
Novobiocin
Penicillins
Tetracycline
Vancomycin