Increasing trend of antimicrobial resistance among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains in Southwest Finland, 2007-2016: An analysis of shifting strain dynamics and emerging risk factors.

Objective: Substantial rise in the annual incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was reported in Southwest Finland (12.4-24.9/100,000 people) between 2007 and 2016.

Whole genome sequencing reveals new links between spa t172/CC59 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus cases in low-endemicity region of Southwest Finland, 2007‒2016.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) rates have remained relatively low in Finland. In Southwest Finland, however, annual MRSA incidence increased from 12 to 25/100,000 between 2007 and 2016 with spa t172 strain causing one fourth (237/983) of all cases. This provoked us to study the molecular epidemiology of t172-MRSA, aiming to better understand the transmission of this strain type.

Changing epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a low endemicity area-new challenges for MRSA control.

The incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has increased sharply in Hospital District of Southwest Finland (HD). To understand reasons behind this, a retrospective, population-based study covering 10 years was conducted. All new 983 MRSA cases in HD from January 2007 to December 2016 were analysed.