Scientists link gene to Asian MRSA epidemic

Scientists from the National Institutes of Health, together with colleagues in China, have identified the Staphylococcus aureus gene (sasX) as playing a pivotal role in establishing methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) epidemics in most of Asia. The research suggests that the sasX gene is involved in molecular processes that help MRSA spread and cause disease. MRSA is a leading cause of severe infections and occurs mainly in hospitals. In laboratory and mouse studies, the research team found that sasX helps bacteria colonize in the nose, cause skin abscesses and lung disease, and evade immune defenses in humans. New data showed that sasX is more prevalent in MRSA strains from China than previously thought and its frequency is increasing. From 2003 to 2011, the percentage of MRSA samples containing sasX almost doubled, from 21 to 39 percent. This study identifies a potential target for novel therapies for MRSA infections.