Colonization and virulence factors of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a pediatric population in Montería, Colombia

• Published in: Iatreia (Medellín, Colombia) Colombia), 2015-07, Vol.28 (3), p.259-268
• Main Authors: Ricardo-Caldera, Dina Marcela, Buelvas-Doria, Francisco Alberto, Escobar-Pérez, Javier Antonio, Tovar-Acero, Catalina
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Subjects: Child; Child Day Care Centers; Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Virulence Factors
• ISSN: 0121-0793; 2011-7965
• DOI: 10.17533/udea.iatreia.v28n3a04

Introduction: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is able to colonize the human body, most frequently the nostrils, but also the hands, perineum and throat. Such colonization has been proposed as a risk factor to acquire future infections. Objective: To determine the prevalence, and the microbiological and molecular characteristics of MRSA in healthy children. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was done of 150 children from 13 day care centers in Montería, Colombia. Nasal and throat swabs were obtained. The isolates were identified and characterized by microbiological and molecular methods. Results: The MRSA colonization rate was 9.3% (14/150). 62.5% of the isolates carried the subtype IVc of SCCmec, and 87.5% had the genes encoding for PVL and Sek, while 81.2% carried the gene bsaB. Conclusion: The percentage of colonization found is one of the highest reported among children from the Colombian Caribbean region, and the isolates have virulence factors that have been associated with an aggressive clinical course.