Molecular Epidemiology of Staphylococcus saprophyticus Isolated from Women with Uncomplicated Community-Acquired Urinary Tract Infection

Abstract

Staphylococcus saprophyticus is a common cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women. Little is known about the molecular epidemiology of S. saprophyticus UTIs. In the current study, we compared 76 isolates of S. saprophyticus prospectively isolated from women with uncomplicated UTI participating in a randomized placebo-controlled treatment trial performed in northern Sweden from 1995 to 1997 with 50 strains obtained in 2006 from five different locations in northern Europe with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The aim was to elucidate the molecular epidemiology of this uropathogenic species and to investigate whether specific clones are associated with UTI in women. A total of 47 different PFGE profiles were detected among the 126 analyzed isolates. Ten clusters consisting of 5 to 12 isolates each showing PFGE DNA similarity of >85% were identified. Several clusters of genetically highly related isolates were detected in the original trial as well as among isolates obtained during 2006 from different locations. In the original trial, clonal persistence was found among 16 of 21 (76%) patients examined in the placebo group at follow-up 8 to 10 days after inclusion, indicating a low spontaneous short-time bacteriological cure rate. We conclude that multiple clones of S. saprophyticus were causing lower UTIs in women. The result suggests that some human-pathogenic clones of S. saprophyticus are spread over large geographical distances and that such clones may persist over long periods of time.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus saprophyticus Isolates Carrying Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec Have Emerged in Urogenital Tract Infections

“…On the other hand, the results of PFGE profiling and Southern hybridization for the other five isolates revealed different patterns, suggesting that multiple mecA-positive S. saprophyticus strains might circulate in Japanese communities. Similar to our observation, Widerstrom et al also reported that multiple clones of S. saprophyticus were associated with lower UTIs in women (24).…”

A molecular portrait of maternal sepsis from Byzantine Troy

“…In northern climates, there is marked seasonal variation in the incidence of S. saprophyticus UTI (Rupp et al, 1992; Hovelius and Mårdh, 1984; Ringertz and Torssander, 1986; Hedman et al, 1993; Widerström et al, 2007), whereas there is no evidence of seasonality in Mediterranean climates (Schneider and Riley, 1996). S. saprophyticus can be identified in environmental samples, with a strong seasonal peak that occurs just before peak rates of S. saprophyticus UTI in northern climates (Hedman et al, 1993; Soge et al, 2009).…”

“…S. saprophyticus can be identified in environmental samples, with a strong seasonal peak that occurs just before peak rates of S. saprophyticus UTI in northern climates (Hedman et al, 1993; Soge et al, 2009). Molecular epidemiological surveys also suggest S. saprophyticus is primarily acquired from an environmental reservoir, rather than as a result of person-to-person transmission (Widerström et al, 2007; Widerström et al, 2012). These observations suggest that the bacteria cycle between host-associated and environmental stages, with seasonal climatic effects on their abundance in the environment.…”

Time-based distribution of Staphylococcus saprophyticus pulsed field gel-electrophoresis clusters in community-acquired urinary tract infections

“…Few English-language studies have typed collections of S. saprophyticus by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and none of these studies were supported by epidemiological data. In a large study with isolates from women with uncomplicated UTI, the PFGE genotypes of 76 isolates collected in Northern Sweden from 1995-1997 were compared with 50 isolates obtained from five different locations in Northern Europe in 2006 (Widerström et al 2007). Ten PFGE genotypes, including those with up to three band differences and similarities (Dice coefficient) of 85-100%, were identified.…”