H B Veena Kumari
Neurocare Institute, India
Title: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus: A molecular insight of the predominant clones causing central nervous system infections, an experience from a Tertiary Neuro-Care Centre, South India
Biography
Biography: H B Veena Kumari
Abstract
Central Nervous System (CNS) infections by highly resistant organisms like Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) result is a considerable burden for both patients and healthcare services and challenges the hospital infection control. This study was carried out to understand the different molecular clones of MRSA causing CNS infections. Cases with positive CSF or brain abscess cultures caused by MRSA in a period of three years were included. A total of 22 MRSA (16 from post-operative meningitis and 6 from brain abscess) isolates were collected. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. MRSA isolates were characterized by SCCmec typing, agr typing, spa typing and also screened for the presence of clinically important toxin genes. The biofilm production was determined by Microtitre plate method. The isolates were 100% sensitive to Vancomycin and Linezolid whereas 90.9% of the isolates were multidrug resistant. Strong biofilm forming ability was noted in 54.5% of the isolates. The predominant SCCmec types were type-III (50%) followed by type-V (22.7%). The carriage of atleast one toxin gene was seen in 95.5% of the isolates with toxins like HLA and PVL observed in 77.3% and 63.6% respectively. Spa types t030, t037, t852 were predominantly noted. The study shows a variety of MRSA clones carrying potential virulent toxin genes exhibiting increased antibiotic resistance and biofilm forming ability causing threatening CNS infections. The understanding of molecular epidemiology of MRSA is crucial in controlling these infections and strengthening of infection control practices.