Characterisation of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated in Hungary

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a worldwide facultative pathogenic bacterium, which may be carried asymptomatically by 10–30% of the human and domesticated mammalian populations. The S. aureus-related syndromes range from benign skin and soft tissue infections to lifethreatening necrotic pneumonia, endocarditis, and osteomyelitis. By the extensive use of antibiotics, the methicillin-resistant variants of S. aureus (MRSA) nowadays are among the most successful and best known multidrug-resistant pathogens. Strains of MRSA have first emerged in human healthcare settings and later have also been observed in the community without any link to healthcare.