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JAC Advance Access published online on July 21, 2004
Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, doi:10.1093/jac/dkh373
© 2004 by The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
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Received March 9, 2004
Revised June 24, 2004
Accepted June 24, 2004

Original article

Survey, characterization and susceptibility to fusidic acid of Staphylococcus aureus in the Carmarthen area

D. El-Zimaity 1*, A. M. Kearns 2, S. J. Dawson 1, S. Price 1, G. A. J. Harrison 1

1 Microbiology Carmarthenshire, National Public Health Service for Wales, West Wales General Hospital, Carmarthen SA31 2AF, UK
2 Staphylococcus Reference Laboratory, Health Protection Agency, Specialist and Reference Microbiology Division, London NW9 5HT, UK

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: khalik{at}bigfoot.com.


  Abstract

Objective: This retrospective study was designed to investigate the possible reasons for an apparent increase in fusidic acid resistance among Staphylococcus aureus.

Materials and methods: The Datastore records of the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, Wales, UK were reviewed in conjunction with information concerning the prescribing of fusidic acid.

Results: During the 5 year study period (1997-2001), a rise in the incidence of fusidic acid resistance was noted, particularly among paediatric patients presenting with infected eczema and impetigo, which may be related to the observed increase in prescriptions of topical fusidic acid. Extended phenotypic and genotypic characterization of a limited number (n=31) of isolates from 2002 showed that fusidic acid-resistant strains of S. aureus were typically from patients with impetigo and isolates fell into a single clonal group. Conversely, isolates from other skin disease (eczema, dermatitis and abscesses) were usually susceptible to fusidic acid and proved a diverse group.

Conclusion: This study provides valuable data on the prevalence of fusidic acid-resistant S. aureus, the genetic background of the strains, and their association with clinical disease in both the healthcare environment and community setting in the catchment area served by the Laboratory.

Keywords: impetigo; infections; dermatological infections; antibiotic resistance.
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[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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