Molecular Epidemiology and Recycling of Staphylococcus aureus Resistant to Methicillin Among the Staff, Patients, and Surfaces in University Hospital in West Iran, Ilam

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a human pathogen causing nosocomial infections and increased hospitalization and mortality among human communities. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains are considered a severe threat in nosocomial infections and cause complications in the remedy process of bacterial infections. In this study, 137 samples were collected from different departments, staff, and patients in Ilam hospital. Methods: Eighty-eight samples of these strains were examined to test antibiotic resistance and diffusion. MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) were performed on the samples resistant to oxacillin. 36 (40.9%) strains were MRSA, and 52 (59.1%) isolates were MSSA. 44.4% of MRSA strains with IV SCCmec type. Results: Fourteen different spa types were found using spa typing, of which the most abundant types were t037, t030, and t701, and three new types, including t15471, t15474, and t17470, were identified among the strains. The molecular analysis by MLST showed that the strains are classified into 11 different sequence types. Sequence type 239 and clonal complexes of 329 and 22 were dominant. ST239- spat037-SCCmec III was also identified as the most frequent clone of MRSA. The most identified clones were MRSA ST239-spa t037-SCCmec III. Conclusion: The results show the spa-type distribution between samples of patients, personnel, and surfaces, demonstrating MRSA circulation between patients and the environment. The results show the need to control environmental health.