What are virulence factors of MRSA?

MRSA strains are particularly serious and potentially lethal pathogens that possess virulence mechanisms including toxins, adhesins, enzymes and immunomodulators. One of these is Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL), a toxin associated with abscess formation and severe necrotizing pneumonia.

Why is CA MRSA typically resistant to fewer antibiotics?

2 The smaller size of the SCC confers less resistance to the organism than the larger SCC and explains why CA MRSA is susceptible to more classes of antibiotics than HA MRSA. CA MRSA is always resistant to the beta-lactams and often to erythromycin but remains susceptible to several other antimicrobial agents.

Is CA MRSA more virulent than HA MRSA?

Recently, Wu and colleagues reported that CA-MRSA strains are more virulent in C. elegans than HA-MRSA strains; however, the genetic reason for the difference in virulence was not explored.

Is MRSA virulent?

Numerous clinical studies have indicated, based on mortality rates, that methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains are more virulent than methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) strains.

What kind of antibiotics are MRSA resistant to?

MRSA is any strain of S. aureus that has developed resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, which include the penicillins; methicillin, dicloxacillin, nafcillin, oxacillin, etc, and the cephalosporins. Strains unable to resist these antibiotics are classified as methicillinsensitive S. aureus (MSSA) [ 3 ].

How is MRSA tested for methicillin resistance?

Screening for methicillin resistance was done by agar disc diffusion method using cefoxitin discs. Out of the 59 S. aureus isolates, 48 ones were MRSA. Thereafter, all MRSA isolates were investigated for protease, lipase, hemolysin as well as biofilm formation.

Why is it important to study the virulence of MRSA?

This emphasizes the importance of rapid detection of MRSA and investigating their virulence determinants that may be used as a target for certain anti-infectious agents that could help in the control measures in our hospitals. The aim of this study was to investigate some virulence determinants in MRSA isolates.

What are some of the virulence characters of MRSA?

MRSA has many virulence factors and can cause a wide variety of infections including superficial lesions such as wound infection, toxinoses such as food poisoning, scalded skin syndrome or toxic shock syndrome, and systemic life-threatening conditions such as endocarditis, pneumonia, brain abscesses, meningitis, and bacteremia.