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Mrsa 180507092652
Mrsa 180507092652
aureus (MRSA)
Presented by
Nagaraj.s
M.Sc. 3rd year microbiology.
Carbapenems penicillins cephalosporins monobactams
Beta-lactam ring
• Domain : Bacteria
• Phylum : Firmicutes
• Class : Bacilli
• Order : Bacillales
• Family : Staphylococcaceae
• Genus : Staphylococcus
Introduction
• Staphylococci are gram positive cocci that occur in grape like clusters. They are
ubiquitous and most common cause of localised suppurative lesions in humans.
• Their ability to develop resistance to penicillin and other antibiotics enhance their
importance as a human pathogen, especially in the hospital environment.
• Sir Alexander Ogston who gave it name Staphylococcus (staphyle= bunch of grapes,
kokkos= berry). He noticed that Non-virulent Staphylococci were also often present on
skin surfaces.
Cultural characteristics
• They grow readily on ordinary media with in a temperature range of 10 to 42c. The optimum being 37c and a pH of 7.4-
7.6.
• On Nutrient agar, it produces circular, opaque, smooth, shiny, and easily emulsifible. Most strains produce golden
yellow pigment. Pigment production is enhanced by 1% glycerol monoacetate or milk is incorporated in the medium.
• On Blood agar, most strains are haemolytic(beta-haemolytic), especially when incubated under 20-25% of CO2.
• In Mac Conkey agar, they produce lactose fermenting pink coloured colonies.
• Selective media are Ludlam’s media (LiCl2 and tellurite), Salt milk agar, salt broth.
Antigenic structures
Cell associated polymers
• Polysaccharide peptidoglycan layer
• Teichoic acid
• Capsular polysaccharide
• Coagulase
• Lipid hydrolases
• Hyaluronidase
• Protein receptors
Toxins
• Cytolytic toxins
I. Alpha haemolysin
• Enterotoxin
• Exfoliative toxin
Confirmatory tests for S.aureus
antibiotics active against penicillin-resistant S. aureus led to the development of methicillin also known as methicillin or
Staphcillin.5
• Methicillin is a semisynthetic derivative of penicillin, developed in the late 1950s, by a modification of the penicillin structure
which conferred resistance to penicillinase. 9 it kills bacteria by inhibiting bacterial cell-wall synthesis, a mechanism of action
• Methicillin resistance occurs due to the acquisition of mecA or mecC gene by previously susceptible strains.6 The mecA gene
codes for an altered penicillin-binding protein called penicillin-binding protein-2a (PBP2a) with reduced affinity to the entire
beta-lactam class of antibiotics including penicillin, cephalosporin and carbapenems 11 except the recently approved beta-
• MecC gene is a homolog of mecA. It was initially designated mecALGA251. It shares 69%
nucleotide homology with mecA.6 MRSA isolates carrying mecC have been isolated from
human as well as animal hosts.8
• the mecA PCR or PBP2a latex agglutination test fails to detect mecC. In sensitivity
testing, using both cefoxitin and oxacillin, mecA-MRSA show resistance to both antibiotics
whereas the majority of mecC MRSA will express resistance only to cefoxitin.8 This
discrepancy is explained by the observation that PBP2a produced by mecC strains have
higher affinity to oxacillin than cefoxitin.8
Types of MRSA
Types of MRSA
• When MRSA strains first occurred, they were usually confined to elderly patients admitted
to healthcare facilities especially those with previous antibiotic use. The MRSA strains
were also isolated from apparently healthy individuals in the communities of no previous
contact with healthcare facilities.
• MRSA strains circulating in the healthcare settings and the community were classified as
either nosocomial or healthcare associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) and community-
associated MRSA (CA-MRSA).10
• This was followed by a new type of MRSA that arose from animals, designated Livestock-
associated MRSA (LA-MRSA) has recently been described.10
Healthcare-associated MRSA
• Healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) were isolated from patients admitted to
healthcare facilities such as nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
• Risk factors for acquiring HA-MRSA include previous admission to healthcare facilities,
impaired immune system, use of multiple antibiotics, use of invasive medical devices and
old age.11
• Genetically, the HA-MRSA carried SCC mec types I, II and III, are usually multi resistant
to antibiotics, and tend to multiply slowly in culture.11
Community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA)
• Community-associated MRSA (CA-MRA) strains were initially reported in the late 1980s among individuals living in
remote communities in Western Australia with no previous history of hospitalization. 9
• CA-MRSA were mostly associated with skin and soft tissue infections such as impetigo, cellulitis, folliculitis and boils
and those at risk were the young patients.10
• some CA-MRSA strains have been reported to cause severe infections including necrotizing fasciitis, post-influenza
pneumonia, septic thrombophlebitis, septic arthritis, and bacteremia .10
• CA-MRSA are usually susceptible to non-beta lactam antibiotics carry smaller-sized SCC mec types IV, V and VI.10
• CA-MRSA strains often express lower levels of resistance to oxacillin (MIC; 8–32 mg/L) and multiply faster than HA-
MRSA strains with significantly shorter doubling times which may help CA-MRSA achieve successful colonization by
enabling it to out compete commensal bacterial flora. 10
Livestock-associated MRSA
• Staphylococcus aureus is also an important cause of infections in live stock resulting in economic losses in the food
industry.11
• Livestock-associated MRSA (LA-MRSA) strains were initially identified because they were non-typeable by pulsed-field
gel electrophoresis following digestion with SmaI restriction enzyme.12
• The molecular typing revealed that LA-MRSA defined to a new lineage of MRSA that belonged to clonal complex 398
(CC398).16 the LA-MRSA ST398 was initially reported among livestock, 11,12
• it has also appeared in the community among human patients in contact with infected or colonized animals which is
considered the major risk factor for LA-MRSA colonization.12
• Other LA-MRSA lineages reported in humans include ST9, ST97 and ST433. 18 LA-MRSA has also caused invasive
infections including endocarditis, osteomyelitis, and ventilator-associated pneumonia in humans.13,14
• By applying epidemiological typing methods such as multilocus-sequence typing (MLST),
classification of the mobile genetic element Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec(SCCmec),
spa typing, and DNA microarray for detection of resistance and virulence genes, a number of
important clones have been identified.15
• Most of the epidemic MRSA isolates belong to eight major clonal complexes (CCs) including CC1,
CC5, CC8, CC22, CC30, CC45, CC59 and CC80.15
• In addition, strains belonging to sporadically distributed clonal complexes such as CC6, CC7, CC9,
CC12, CC15, CC20, CC75, CC88, CC93, CC96/ST154, CC97, CC130, CC121, CC152, CC188,
CC361, CC395/ST426, CC398, CC509, CC779 and CC913 have been reported.15,16
• By inserting the smaller mobile SCC mec type IV into PVL-positive MSSA, the
community-associated MRSA would possess resistance determinants and
enhanced toxins, potentially gaining a fitness advantage.
• Gordon and Lowy discuss the molecular epidemiology and virulence associated
with community-associated MRSA in this supplement.
Changes in the epidemiology of MRSA isolates
• Beginning in the late 1980s, the MRSA population expanded with the emergence of community
isolates.9,10
• clones that have been isolated widely include the HA-MRSA clones ST239/ST241-III-MRSA, ST22-
IV-MRSA and the CA- MRSA clones ST80-IV-MRSA, ST30-IV-MRSA, ST772-V-MRSA. On the
other hand, clones such as ST59-IV, ST93-IV and ST8-IV (USA300) have restricted geographical
spread.15
• The USA300 is the dominant CA-MRSA clone causing infections in North America.26,27 USA300
have been reported sporadically in some European countries and Australia.15
• It is commonly associated with skin and soft tissue infections, necrotizing pneumonia and
endocarditis.17,18
Virulence determinants in MRSA
Panton Valentine-leukocidin
• Panton Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a toxin composed of two components, LukS-PV and LukF-PV.
• These two components act together to form pores on the polymorpho- nuclear cells membranes
leading to neutrophil lysis.19
• PVL has been reported in HA-MRSA as well as MSSA strains belonging to diverse genetic
backgrounds.20 The toxin is encoded by bacteriophages which explains its carriage in strains
belonging to diverse genetic backgrounds.20
• The most PVL- positive S. aureus strains are associated with skin and soft tissue and
musculoskeletal infections, some PVL-positive strains also cause invasive infections such as
bacteraemia, and necrotizing pneumonia in diverse patient populations.19,21
Arginine catabolic mobile element
• The arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME) is a novel class of virulence determinants
carried on a genomic island which varies in size from 31-kb to 46-kb in staphylococcus.17
• ACME encodes a putative virulence determinant which provides for several immune
modulating functions, including resistance to polyamines which serve as a non-specific
immune response both on intact skin, and following the inflammatory response in wound
healing.
• Additional risk factors includes, sharing personal products such as shampoo or nail clippers,
infrequent showers and hand washing.
• Another mode of transmission noted within the federal prison system is illicit, unsanitary tattoo
practices.
• In other settings close physical contact, body shaving, turf burns and sharing athletic equipment
have been associated with MRSA transmission.
• Persons with asymptomatic MRSA nasal carriage can shed MRSA resulting in transmission to other
persons or contamination of food that may cause toxin mediated acute gastroenteritis.
• Some MRSA strains, CC398 are readily transmitted with in the
host species to which they are adopted.
• A bacterial inoculum of each strain was made and turbidity was adjusted to
0.5 McFarland.
• For each strain, a bacterial suspension adjusted to 0.5 McFarland was used.
Subsequently, a swab was dipped in the suspension and streaked onto a CHROM agar
plate.
• The growth of any green colony was considered to be positive, indicating MRSA
A latex agglutination MRSA screen test (Denka Seiken) was carried out for all strains
according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• For MRSA, cotrimoxazole (25 mg), erythromycin (15 mg), clindamycin (10 mg),
ciprofloxacin (30 mg), netilmicin (30 mg), amikacin (10 mg), linezolid (30 mg), vancomycin
(30 mg) and dalfopristin/quinpristin (15 mg) are tested.
• For MSSA, the same antibiotics as for MRSA are used, as well as ampicillin (10 mg),
cephalexin (30 mg) and amoxicillin/ clavulanic acid (30 mg).
• The Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method is used routinely to detect the sensitivity of all S.
aureus isolates and interpretations are made according to CLSI (2008) guidelines.
Differences between oxacillin and cefoxitin
Oxacillin Cefoxitin
Sensitivity is 73.1% Sensitivity is 96.2%
• virulence genes including: sea (102 bp), seb (164 bp) , sed(278
bp), tst (326 bp), eta (93 bp), etb (226 bp), LuKS/F-PV (443 bp)
, hla (209 bp) and hld (11 bp) and mec A (147 bp) in methicillin-
resistant S. aureus.
• The increase in the incidence of infections due to S. aureus is partially advances in patient care and
also the pathogen ability to adapt a changing environment.
• The first appearance of methicillin resistance S. aureus strains in 1960, has become widespread in
hospitals and intensive care units (ICUs).
• National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (NNIS) System data demonstrates that, increase in the
incidence of nosocomial infections caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) among ICU
patients over time.
• The MRSA now accounts for >60% of S. aureus isolates in US hospital ICUs.
Hospital associated MRSA
• The increase in MRSA infections most likely reflects the growing impact of medical
interventions, devices, older age of patients.
• Antibiotic use and overuse probably also contribute to the emergence of resistance.
• Some of the therapies suggesting that β-lactam antibiotics are superior for treatment of
these infections.
• Risk factors for HA-MRSA
• Being hospitalized. MRSA remains a concern in hospitals, where it
can attack those most vulnerable — older adults and people with
weakened immune systems.
• Having an invasive medical device. Medical tubing — such as
intravenous lines or urinary catheters — can provide a pathway for
MRSA to travel into your body.
• Residing in a long-term care facility. MRSA is prevalent in nursing
homes. Carriers of MRSA have the ability to spread it, even if they're
not sick themselves.
Community Acquired MRSA
• The causative bacteria of MW2 strain of community-associated MRSA, which appears to
have acquired staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCC) mec type IV, the S.
aureus pathogenicity island (SaPI3), and the bacteriophage Sa2 in its evolution from
MSSA476.
• in France from 1986 to 1998, children's with pneumonia caused by S. aureus strains
positive for Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL). of 16 children, 12 (75%) presented with an
influenza-like illness, and 37.5% died within 48 h after hospital admission.
• In this series, MRSA isolates were susceptible to non–β-lactam antibiotics and caused
clinical disease. Most children presented with skin infections, including cellulitis or
abscess.
Treatment
Daptomycin
Linezolid
Quinupristin/ dalfopristin
• MIC values of vancomycin against MRSA has been increasing worldwide, leading to the emergence
of VISA.
• The combination therapy mainly included the combined regimen of vancomycin and carbapenems
with other aminoglycoside drugs, which increase the risk of developing nephrotoxicity and
ototoxicity.
• If combined therapy is needed for MRSA infection, the third generation cephalosporins should be
administrated.
Combination therapy
• Combination with vancomycin
• The Synergetic interactions between the vancomycin and wide variety of beta-lactams are there, but the mechanism is
still not clear.
(if decreased vancomycin susceptibility, which results, decreased transcription of mecA gene and increase the
susceptibility of beta-lactams).
• Daptomycin with beta-lactams, which kills the daptomycin susceptible and daptomycin non-susceptible MRSA.
Preventing HA-MRSA
• In the hospital, people who are infected or colonized with MRSA often are
placed in contact precautions as a measure to prevent the spread of
MRSA.
• Visitors and health care workers caring for people in isolation may be
required to wear protective garments and must follow strict hand hygiene
procedures.
• Keep wounds covered. Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with sterile, dry bandages until they heal. The pus from
infected sores may contain MRSA, and keeping wounds covered will help prevent the bacteria from spreading.
• Keep personal items personal. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, sheets, razors, clothing and athletic equipment.
MRSA spreads on contaminated objects as well as through direct contact.
• Shower after athletic games or practices. Shower immediately after each game or practice. Use soap and water. Don't share
towels.
• Sanitize linens. If you have a cut or sore, wash towels and bed linens in a washing machine set to the hottest water setting
(with added bleach, if possible) and dry them in a hot dryer. Wash gym and athletic clothes after each wearing.
Antibiotic stewardship
• Antimicrobial stewardship is defined as “the optimal selection, dosage, and duration of antimicrobial
treatment that results in the best clinical outcome for the treatment or prevention of infection, with
minimal toxicity to the patient and minimal impact on subsequent resistance”. 24
• The goals of antibiotic stewardship are to work with health care practitioners to help each patient
receive the most appropriate antimicrobial with the correct dose and duration, to prevent
antimicrobial overuse, misuse, abuse and minimize the development of resistance.24
• An added benefit of programs that aim to optimize antibiotic use is that they generally experience
cost savings. Because, fewer doses of antibiotic are used and less expensive antibiotics are
chosen.
• Both at the individual patient level and at the community level, antibiotic use changes
susceptibility patterns.
• Antimicrobial stewardship can provide all practitioners with tools to prevent the overuse of
valuable resources and help to control the increase in antimicrobial resistance.24,25
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