Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus in Saudi Arabia: Genotypes Distribution Review

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infections in hospital have obviously imposed a significant burden of morbidity and mortality, and strain on healthcare resources. Here, we review the genotype distribution of these pathogens in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). A PubMed literature search (until May 2014) specified 12 articles that characterized MRSA clones in KSA. Only two regions (Riyadh and Damamm) were represented in ten articles. Data from these articles showed that the pandemic Vienna/Hungarian/Brazilian clone (CC8/ST239-III) is the most frequent in Saudi regions (Riyadh and Damamm). Several other clones such as Barnim/UK-EMRSA-15 (CC22-IV), Southwest Pacific clone (ST30-IV) and European community-associated-MRSA clone (CC80-IV) have been detected in the Riyadh region. A variety of MRSA clones is beginning to circulate in Saudi hospitals. Continued collection and molecular characterization of MRSA is crucial for the effective prevention and treatment.