Clonal diversity, virulence, and antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients with skin and soft tissue infections from a private tertiary teaching and referral hospital in Kenya
Document Type
Article
Department
Pathology (East Africa)
Abstract
Background: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) remains a significant global health concern because of its strong virulence factors and ability to develop antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Objective: This study investigated the clonal diversity, virulence, and antimicrobial resistance of S. aureus isolated from patients with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) at a Private Tertiary Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kenya.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between October 2019 and November 2020. Wound specimens were cultured for S. aureus and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using the VITEK® 2 platform. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was sequenced using a MinION Mk1B sequencer. Resistance genes were identified using ResFinder and ARIBA, and virulence genes were screened using Virulence Finder.
Results: Out of 327 specimens, 98 (30.0%) were positive for S. aureus. Among these, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) accounted for 16 (16.3%) of the isolates. Resistance was highest to penicillin (90.8%), followed by trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (63.2%). Whole-genome sequencing confirmed the presence of key resistance and virulence determinants in MRSA, with a high concordance (≥87.5%) between genotypic and phenotypic profiles Regarding molecular characterization, isolate typing revealed four clonal complexes, nine sequence types (STs), ten staphylococcal protein A (spa) types, and three staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) types.
Conclusion: The study reveals the emergence of highly virulent and multidrugresistant MRSA clones in Kenya. By uncovering the evolving genetic landscape of S. aureus, the study provides critical evidence to inform antimicrobial stewardship and regional genomic surveillance in East Africa.
Publication (Name of Journal)
East African Medical Journal
DOI
https://www.ajol.info/index.php/eamj/article/view/310546
Recommended Citation
Omuse, G.,
Onyango, S.,
Revathi, G.,
Mutiso, R. M.
(2025). Clonal diversity, virulence, and antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients with skin and soft tissue infections from a private tertiary teaching and referral hospital in Kenya. East African Medical Journal, 102(8).
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/eastafrica_fhs_mc_pathol/320