Massive Dissemination of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Bloodstream Infections in a High MRSA Prevalence Country: Establishment and Diversification of EMRSA-15

Portugal is the European country with the highest prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), in which EMRSA-15 (ST22-IVh) has been the dominant clone since soon after its introduction in Portuguese hospitals in 2001. In this study, we intend to not only, assess the evolution of the invasive MRSA in Portuguese hospitals, but also to evaluate the invasive methicillin susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) population and the relationship between both populations. In the current study, two major MRSA clones were identified: EMRSA-15 that has been dominant for more than 10 years and accounts for 75% of the MRSA isolates, and ST105-II, a clone related with the New York/Japan clone (ST5-II). In contrast, among MSSA, several clonal backgrounds were identified. Despite of the massive predominance of EMRSA-15 in the last decade, an increase in spa diversity has been observed in the last few years, which suggests a recent and local diversification of this clone. Interestingly, MRSA and MSSA populations with related clonal backgrounds appear to have increased as a result of the dissemination of MRSA to the community environment.