Rosa Guillén1, Letizia Carpinelli1, Fátima Rodríguez1, Héctor Castro2, Beatriz Quíñónez2, Ana Campuzano3, María Macchi3, Juana Ortellado3, Patricia Almada3, Lorena Grau4, Mónica Rodríguez4, Gladys Velázquez4, Carmen Espínola4, Gloría Samudio5, Gloria Gómez5, Wilma Basualdo2. 1. Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Departamento de Análisis Clínicos y Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Paraguay. 2. Laboratorio de Microbiología, Departamento de Epidemiología y Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital General Pediátrico Niños de Acosta Ñú, Paraguay. 3. Hospital de Clínicas, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Paraguay. 4. Servicio de Pediatría y Laboratorio de Microbiología, Instituto de Previsión Social, Dpto. de Epidemiología y SIS, Hospital Central. 5. Servicio de Pediatría y Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Nacional de Itauguá, Paraguay.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in the community has increased, being the pediatric population the most affected. This fact highlights the need for epidemiological surveillance. AIM: To characterize clinical, phenotypic and genotypic isolates of S. aureus children's samples with community-acquired infections, collected in hospitals of Asuncion and the Central Department, between November 2009 and December 2010. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive and transverse analysis with analytical component. Clinical data collected by medical records, antibiotic susceptibility according to CLSI criteria and detection of mecA (encoding methicillin resistance) and luk-PV genes (encoding Panton Valentine leucocidin) by PCR using specific oligonucleotides. RESULTS: 123 isolates of S. aureus, 76% came from skin and soft tissue infections and 20% from sepsis. 18.7% (n = 23) were resistant to methicillin (MRSA). The presence of the mecA gene, a variant there and the PVL was detected in 12.2 and 48 isolates respectively. 43% of MRSA (n = 10) was carrying luk-PV. The clinical and demographic differences between patients infected with MRSA or MSSA were not statistically significant. DISCUSSION: This study constitutes the first phenotypic and genotypic characterization of S. aureus associated with pediatric patients in Paraguay.
INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in the community has increased, being the pediatric population the most affected. This fact highlights the need for epidemiological surveillance. AIM: To characterize clinical, phenotypic and genotypic isolates of S. aureuschildren's samples with community-acquired infections, collected in hospitals of Asuncion and the Central Department, between November 2009 and December 2010. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive and transverse analysis with analytical component. Clinical data collected by medical records, antibiotic susceptibility according to CLSI criteria and detection of mecA (encoding methicillin resistance) and luk-PV genes (encoding Panton Valentine leucocidin) by PCR using specific oligonucleotides. RESULTS: 123 isolates of S. aureus, 76% came from skin and soft tissue infections and 20% from sepsis. 18.7% (n = 23) were resistant to methicillin (MRSA). The presence of the mecA gene, a variant there and the PVL was detected in 12.2 and 48 isolates respectively. 43% of MRSA (n = 10) was carrying luk-PV. The clinical and demographic differences between patients infected with MRSA or MSSA were not statistically significant. DISCUSSION: This study constitutes the first phenotypic and genotypic characterization of S. aureus associated with pediatric patients in Paraguay.