27 September 2010

Menzies research has found strains of golden staph bacteria are resistant to antibiotics and cause skin infections and can be fatal if they enter the blood stream.

Dr Steven Tong, Research Fellow with the Menzies School of Health Research explored the epidemiology of golden staph in northern Australia and has developed molecular tools (genetic fingerprinting techniques) to discriminate different clones.

“The annual incidence of golden staph bloodstream infections was six times higher in the Indigenous community compared with the non Indigenous population.” Dr Tong said.

Overcrowded houses, poor hygiene and high rates of skin infections were the most likely reason for the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains.

“It is likely that these antibiotic-resistant golden staph strains have arisen in remote Indigenous communities where staphylococcal disease is highly prevalent.”

“Investigations into alternative treatments effective against these strains for staphylococcal skin disease in remote communities are currently underway.”

Also of concern are that close to 50% of staphylococcal isolates were found to produce a toxin called Panton-Valentine leukocidin that results in more severe disease that affects younger and healthier patients.

Publications

Global Implications of the Emergence of Community‐Associated Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Indigenous Populations

Community‐Associated Strains of Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin‐Susceptible S. aureus in Indigenous Northern Australia: Epidemiology and Outcomes

Clinical Correlates of Panton‐Valentine Leukocidin (PVL), PVL Isoforms, and Clonal Complex in the Staphylococcus aureus Population of Northern Australia