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Description and Interrelationship Analysis of the Phenotypic and Genotypic Characteristics of MSSA and MRSA Strains Isolated from Healthcare Workers in North-Eastern Brazil

Maraiza Alves De Oliveira1, Yasmin Monara Ferreira De Sousa Andrade2, Alisson Da Costa Souza1, Icaro Bonyek Santos Da Silva2, Guilherme Barreto Campos3, Lucas Miranda Marques3, Grace Anne Azevedo Doria1, Rafael Ciro Marques Cavalcante1*

Objective: To analyse the interrelationship between the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of methicillin-susceptible and MRSA strains isolated from healthcare workers in north-eastern Brazil.

Methods:  Staphylococcus aureus strains were isolated from nasal mucosa of nursing professionals. They are identified by biochemical analysis and the sensibility drug test were carried out by agar diffusion method. Biofilm formation was detected on the polystyrene plastic surface. Molecular characterization was conducted by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The chi-squared or fisher's exact tests were applied for the analysis of associations between phenotypic and genotypic characteristics.

Results: A total of 118 workers participated, 49.15% of whom presented Staphylococcus aureus. The inducible clindamycin resistance phenotype was detected in 48.84% of isolates. MRSA was found in 41.37% of isolates, while SCCmec type I was seen in 75%. In terms of virulence genes, eta, tst, pvl, spa, clfA, icaA, icaCandicaD genes were detected at least once. Biofilm formation was detected in 89.65% of the strains-18.97% of these were classified as strongly adherent. Multivariate analyses of clusters demonstrated variability between the strains, with the notable formation of three main clusters, according to phenotypic and genotypic characteristics.

Conclusion: Most isolates had multidrug resistance, significant virulence genes and the ability to form biofilms, increasing the severity of potential infections.