Journal de recherche médico-légale

Molecular Typing of Staphylococcus aureus: Understanding and Controlling Epidemic Spread

Abstract

Sima Tokajian

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections continue to spread worldwide. From an epidemiological perspective, risk factors for hospital acquired (HA) infections are most associated, but not limited to, with invasive medical devices, prolonged hospitalization, and surgical procedures. Strains causing infections in patients without risk factors for MRSA are known as community acquired (CA-MRSA). The line between HA- and CA-MRSA is blurring and clones of this pathogen are spreading across geographical borders due to international travel. Strain typing is an important component of epidemiological investigations that should be done to identify outbreak-related strains and hence to control new waves of MRSA infections both locally and internationally.