Initial stage of hospital contamination with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Lao People's Democratic Republic

Abstract

Monitoring drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has been carried out in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) since 1993. No methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains were detected until 2001 when two isolates were found: 01LP40, which was coagulase type IV, enterotoxin non-productive, and SCCmec (staphylococcal chromosome cassette mec) type III; and 01LP63 from a different hospital, which was coagulase type II, enterotoxin productive, and the SCCmec belonged to a new type. In 2002 four MRSA isolates similar to the latter were detected, 02LP211, 02LP214, 02LP217 from the same hospital as 01LP63, and 02LP100 from a third hospital. This appears to be the initial stage of a MRSA epidemic in Lao PDR. Careful monitoring and intensive monitoring and precautions are recommended.