ACTA FAC MED NAISS 2021;38(4):360-370

UDC:577.181.5.08   DOI:10.5937/afmnai38-25349

Original article

Constellation of Methicillin-Resistant Genomic Islands (SCCmec) among Nasal
Meticillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates

Shuaibu Suleiman Adeiza, Josiah Ademola Onaolapo, Busayo Olalekan Olayinka

Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna, Nigeria

SUMMARY

                    The apprehensiveness for the knowledge vacuum on existential threat of nasal carriage of pvl+ healthcare-acquired meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) strains amongst subjects in hospitals have led us to pursue a grasp on the constellation of staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) types and pvl gene among mecA positive MRSA nasal strains. This was accomplished by phenotypic (catalase, coagulase, Microgen staph ID, ORSAB) and genotypic (polymerase chain reaction) biotyping techniques. All the mecA+ strains harboured the SCCmec gene; SCCmec type I prevailed in 43.75% and pvl was found in 42.1% of the isolates. Dual carriage of mecA and pvl genes occurred in six (37.5%, n = 6/16) strains. Overall, majority of the mecA+ MRSA strains documented in this study carried SCCmec elements of the HA genotype with a hint of community-acquired (CA)- genotype suggesting a possible coexistence of both HA-MRSA and community-acquired- healthcare-acquired meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) strains. Consequently, the implementation of methodical surveillance is needed for the evaluation of potential shifts in directionality of (HA-MRSA/CA-MRSA) pvl+ MRSA clones in our hospitals for effective and prudent antimicrobial stewardship.