Predominance of dfrG as determinant of trimethoprim resistance in imported Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

To investigate the global occurrence of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistance and the genetic mechanisms of trimethoprim resistance, we analysed Staphylococcus aureus from travel-associated skin and soft-tissue infections treated at 13 travel clinics in Europe. Thirty-eight per cent (75/196) were trimethoprim-resistant and 21% (41/196) were resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Among methicillin-resistant S. aureus, these proportions were 30% (7/23) and 17% (4/23), respectively. DfrG explained 92% (69/75) of all trimethoprim resistance in S. aureus. Travel to South Asia was associated with the highest risk of acquiring trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-resistant S. aureus. We conclude that globally dfrG is the predominant determinant of trimethoprim resistance in human S. aureus infection.

Keywords: Communicable diseases; Panton–Valentine leukocidin; emerging drug resistance; methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; molecular epidemiology; sentinel surveillance; staphylococcal skin infections; travel; trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole combination.