Changing molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in an Algerian hospital.

INTRODUCTION Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of both hospital- and community-acquired infections worldwide. However, data about the molecular epidemiology of MRSA in North Africa are still scarce. METHODOLOGY All MRSA isolates recovered between January 2006 and July 2011 from one Algerian hospital were genetically and phenotypically characterized. RESULTS The predominance of a European community-associated-MRSA (CA-MRSA) clone (ST80-SCCmec IV-PVL positive) was revealed by this analysis. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that a CA-MRSA clone recently invaded the hospital setting in Algiers and replaced a typical hospital-associated pandemic clone such as the Brazilian clone (ST239-SCCmec IIImercury-PVL negative).