Abstract

      The worldwide spread of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) skin infections is becoming an emerging problem. These bacteria can produce virulence factors. The objectives of this study were to determine the rate of MRSA and frequency of mecA gene by PCR and detect genes eta and etb encoding exfoliatin A and B. This is a prospective study focused on school children of 5 to 15 years with a cutaneous infection from October 2007 to June 2008. The skin samples taken were allowed to isolate strains of S. aureus by standard bacteriological methods. Susceptibility testing was performed to detect strains of MRSA with cefoxitin disk. Detection of mecA, eta and etb genes was performed using PCR. The rate of MRSA was 14.8%. The mecA gene was present in 2 strains of S. aureus (3.7%). The genes encoding the exfoliatin were detected in 5.6%.

Key words: Community-acquired skin infection, MRSA, exfoliatin A and B.