Characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated at Tripoli Medical Center, Libya, between 2008 and 2014
Bacterial pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) represent a
well-known public health problem affecting both healthcare-associated and community
populations. Past studies have clearly shown the value of characterizing problem organisms
including MRSA through the use of molecular techniques (i.e. strain typing), with the aim of
informing local, regional and national efforts in epidemiological analysis and infection control. The
country of Libya represents a challenge for such analysis due to limited historical infectious
disease information and major political unrest culminating in the Libyan Civil War (Libyan
Revolution) in 2011. A MRSA study population of 202 isolates, cultured from patients in Tripoli
Medical Center through this historical period (2008–2014), was characterized by both
phenotypic and molecular methods. The results revealed a diversification of epidemic MRSA
strains over time with generally increasing resistance to fluoroquinolone antibiotics. The study
identified prevalent MRSA in comparison to known global epidemic types, providing unique
insight into the change of strains and/or characteristics over time especially with reference to the
potential influence of the political revolution (i.e. pre- and post-2011).
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Elloulu BenDarif, Asma Khalil , Abdunnabi Rayes , Emad Bennour , Abdulgader Dhawi, John J Lowe , Shawn Gibbs, Richard V Goering (12-2016)
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