Identification and characterization of SCCmec typing with psm-mec positivity in staphylococci from patients with coagulase-negative staphylococci peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis

Background Peritonitis is the most important complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) are a frequent cause of dialysis-related infections.

The association between SCC mec typing with psm-mec positivity in staphylococci and PD-related infections has not been identified.

We aim to investigate the molecular epidemiology of CNS isolated from PD-peritonitis in a single Chinese center, focusing on the genetic determinants conferring methicillin resistance.

Methods We collected 10 genetically unrelated CNS isolates from 10 patients with CNS PD-related peritonitis.

The patients were divided into two groups based on the results of MIC to oxacillin: the methicillin-resistant CNS (MRCNS) and methicillin-sensitive CNS (MSCNS) groups.

The biofilm formation group (BFG) and the non-biofilm formation group (NBFG) were used as the control groups.

Phenotypic and molecular methods were used to analyze SCC mec types I, II and III, associated genes and biofilm formation and the existence of psm-mec .

The demographic data and clinical indicators were collected.

Results Ten CNS PD-related peritonitis patients were enrolled for this study.

There were 6 MRCNS and 4 MRCNS isolates.

SCC mec types were fully determined in 10 isolates.

Seven staphylococci (70%) carried SCC mec , of which 4 isolates carried single SCC mec type I (40%) and 3 isolates had multiple SCC mec elements (I + III).

Of the 6 MRCNS isolates, 3 carried SCC mec type I (50%) and 2 isolates carried SCC mec type I + III (33.3%).

A high diversity of ccr types, mec complexes and ccr-mec complex combinations was identified among the 10 CNS isolates.

The psm-mec gene was detected in 2/10 (20%) CNS isolates.

There was no mutation in the psm-mec gene.

Conclusions The majority of isolates were hospital-associated isolates.

Furthermore, 2 psm-mec positive isolates were MRCNS in the NBFG.

The PD patients frequent exposure to hospital would be the main risk factor.

The presence of the psm-mec signal in the spectra of the MRCNS tested here demonstrates the presence of certain SCC mec cassettes that convey methicillin resistance.