Distribution of genes encoding resistance to macrolides, lincosamides, and streptogramins among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from burn patients

Abstract

The increasing resistance to macrolide, lincosamide, and streptogramin B agents among methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (MRSA) is a worldwide problem for the health community. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of <i>ermA, ermB, ermC</i>, and <i>msrA</i> in MRSA strains isolated from burn patients in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran. A total of 76 isolates of <i>S. aureus</i> were collected from January to May 2017 from Taleghani Burn Hospital in Ahvaz. Among 76 <i>S. aureus</i> strains collected, 60 (78.9%) isolates were MRSA. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing for MRSA showed extreme high resistance rate to clarithromycin (100%) and azithromycin (100%), followed by erythromycin (98.3%). The PCR assay revealed that the frequency rates of <i>msrA, ermA</i>, and <i>ermC</i> genes were 23 (38.3%), 28 (46.7%), and 22 (36.7%), respectively. In addition, none of the MRSA isolates had the <i>ermB</i> gene. Because of the high prevalence of macrolide and lincosamide resistance found in MRSA isolates from infections of burn patients in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran, it is recommended that local periodic survey be performed for controlling the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance.