Detection of virulence factor gene and drug susceptibility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from patients at the National Dermatology Center

Abstract

Background: Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) is one of the microorganisms that inhabit the skin and nasal cavity of 25-30% of all healthy adults. This pathogen mainly causes skin and soft tissue infections. Since the discovery of methicillin-resistant strains of S.aureus, the infection has spread rapidly throughout the globe, and it is included as a high-priority micoorganism on the list of drug-resistant microorganisms issued by the WHO. In S.aureus strains associated with skin and soft tissue, mecA and PVL genes encode the methicillin-resistance and virulence factor exotoxin respectively. According to S.aureus prevalence study conducted in Ulaanbaatar since 2006, there has been a rapid increase in the prevalence of MRSA in the last 14 years. Aim: Our purpose was to collect samples from skin infection site and nasal swabs of 300 clients, performed detected mecA and PVL genes by screening and confirmatory tests. Materials and Methods: We collected samples from skin infection site and nasal swabs of 300 clients, performed detected mecA and PVL genes by screening and confirmatory tests. Results: In the current study the results of the drug-resistant bacteria detection test, Staphylococcus aureus was cultured in 71.7% of the affected skin lesions. Of these, methicillin-resistant strains were found in 51.1% of all patients, which were confirmed by screening and confirmatory tests. Also, 23.3% of nasal swabs cultured positive for S.aureus. Of these, methicillin-resistant strains were found in 47.1% of all patients, which were confirmed by screening and confirmatory tests. According to our findings, the prevalence of MRSA in Mongolia has increased significantly compared to 2009. Conclusion: Upon investigating the relationship between purulent wound infection and nasal swab findings, S. aureus infection was observed to be an independent infection rather than as nasal colonization, S.aureus strains isolated both from the skin lesion and nasal swab showed similar high rates of drug-resistance.