ABSTRACT

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is gram-positive cocci, which causes multiple complications such as bone, skin, joint and soft tissue infections. Penicillin was the first antibiotic that showed resistance to S. aureus; however, following penicillin, S. aureus became resistant to Methicillin and became a problem in many parts of the world. Worldwide epidemiology of  S. aureus varies by country. In Austria, CA-MRSA accounts for 10% of all MRSA isolates. Many clones of S. aureus were discovered in Asian and as well as in European countries. Many patients in Southeast Asia are infected with various S. aureus variants.

Aim: The aim of this study was to review epidemiology and antibiotic resistance of S. aureus in different countries.

Results: Previous findings revealed that Panton-Valentine leukeocidin (PVL) genes were present in S. aureus strains. Furthermore, most widely accepted antibiotic resistance genes in clinical isolates of S. aureus strains are mecA. S. aureus spread throughout the hospital and into the community as well. They differ from one another in some ways, such as PVL genes and staphylococcal Chromosomal Cassette Mec (SCCmec) subtyping.

Conclusion: It is concluded based on previously published research as well as review articles that different clones are of S. aureus are present in different regions of the world which further shows similar characteristics in some regions while totally different from the clones found in other countries. S. aureus infection can be treated by combining some antibiotics such as Vancomycin with Rifampin and Gentamicin. It can also be avoided by practicing good hand hygiene and avoiding intravenous drugs, which can cause a variety of infections.