Biomedical Research

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been recognized as a nosocomial pathogen since the 1960s. Cases of MRSA infection presenting from the community were first described in the early 1980s and there had been a growing concern in the development of Methicillin- Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Nowadays, the increase in incidence of CA-MRSA was reported and was recognized as a threat by health professionals. Generally, CA-MRSA strains carry the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) virulence genes, which is a bicomponent leukocidin and causes leukocyte destruction, tissue necrosis and possess a mobile staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SSCmec). Based on this serious health concern, the prevalence of CAMRSA with other parameters such as pvl and SSCmec from different three communities (countries) was investigated. The subjects in this collaborative research were 200 students of CEU, 100 of DHC, and 94 of KHSU. Stapylococcal cassette chromosome mec and Panton-Valentine leukocidin gene were investigated using a multiplex PCR. The prevalence of MRSA from CEU, DHC and KHSU observed was, 12%, 3% and 3.2%, respectively. In the case of PVL, it was found in 3% of the samples from CEU, but was not detected in any of the samples of DHC and KHSU. SSCmec was not always carried by CA-MRSA strains. This collaborative study is the first trial of its kind among the three communities representing the three countries, South Korea, Japan and the Philippines. The information elicited will help understand the prevalence of CAMRSA.

Author(s): Chikateru Nozaki, Takayuki Masaki, Su Jung Kim, Rogelio S. Cruz, Charito M. Bermido, Kyung-Yong Kim, Cheolin Park
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