Global distribution of Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, 2006

Tristan, A, Bes, M, Meugnier, H, Lina, G, Bozdogan, B, Courvalin, P, Reverdy, ME, Enright, Mark, Vandenesch, F and Etienne, J (2007) Global distribution of Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, 2006. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 13 (4). pp. 594-600. ISSN 1080-6040

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Abstract

We determined the agr type, multilocus sequence type, protein A gene type (spa typing), toxin gene profile, and antimicrobial drug resistance profile of 469 isolates of Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates (PVLpositive CA-MRSA). The isolates had been collected from around the world from 1999 through 2005 by the French National Reference Center for Staphylococci. We found that some continent-specific clones described in 2003, such as clone ST8, have now spread all over the world. Likewise, some PVL-positive CA-MRSA have spread to several countries on various continents. New clones have emerged (e.g., ST377) on new genetic backgrounds. PVLpositive CA-MRSA that were usually susceptible to most antistaphylococcal antimicrobial agents have acquired new resistance determinants (e.g., to gentamicin) in certain countries. The major trait shared by all these clones is a short staphylococcal chromosomal cassette mec element of type IV or V.