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Systematic Surveillance Detects Multiple Silent Introductions and Household Transmission of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300 in the East of England.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Repository DOI


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Authors

Toleman, Michelle S 
Reuter, Sandra 
Coll, Francesc 
Harrison, Ewan M 
Blane, Beth 

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The spread of USA300 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) across the United States resulted in an epidemic of infections. In Europe, only sporadic cases or small clusters of USA300 infections are described, and its prevalence in England is unknown. We conducted prospective surveillance for USA300 in the east of England. METHODS: We undertook a 12-month prospective observational cohort study of all individuals with MRSA isolated from community and hospital samples submitted to a microbiology laboratory. At least 1 MRSA isolate from each individual underwent whole-genome sequencing. USA300 was identified on the basis of sequence analysis, and phylogenetic comparisons were made between these and USA300 genomes from the United States. RESULTS: Between April 2012 and April 2013, we sequenced 2283 MRSA isolates (detected during carriage screening and in clinical samples) from 1465 individuals. USA300 was isolated from 24 cases (1.6%). Ten cases (42%) had skin and soft tissue infection, and 2 cases had invasive disease. Phylogenetic analyses identified multiple introductions and household transmission of USA300. CONCLUSIONS: Use of a diagnostic laboratory as a sentinel for surveillance has identified repeated introductions of USA300 in eastern England in 2012-2013, with evidence for limited transmission. Our results show how systematic surveillance could provide an early warning of strain emergence and dissemination.

Description

Keywords

MRSA, Staphylococcus aureus, USA300, molecular epidemiology, whole-genome sequencing, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Child, Child, Preschool, Disease Transmission, Infectious, England, Epidemiological Monitoring, Family Characteristics, Family Health, Female, Genotype, Humans, Male, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Middle Aged, Molecular Epidemiology, Prospective Studies, Sequence Analysis, DNA, Staphylococcal Infections, Young Adult

Journal Title

J Infect Dis

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0022-1899
1537-6613

Volume Title

214

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)
Sponsorship
Medical Research Council (G1000803)
Academy of Medical Sciences (unknown)
Medical Research Council (MR/N029399/1)
Medical Research Council (G1000803/1)
This work was supported by grants from the UK Clinical Research Collaboration Translational Infection Research Initiative, and the Medical Research Council (Grant Number G1000803) with contributions to the Grant from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the National Institute for Health Research on behalf of the Department of Health, and the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health Directorate (to Prof. Peacock); by a Healthcare Infection Society Major Research Grant (to Prof. Peacock), and by Wellcome Trust grant number 098051 awarded to the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. MST is a Wellcome Trust Clinical PhD Fellow. MET is a Clinician Scientist Fellow, supported by the Academy of Medical Sciences and the Health Foundation, and by the National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre.