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• This study characterized the complete genome of an ST338 CA-MRSA strain isolated from a patient in China. • ST59 and ST338 MRSA are closely related in both phenotype and genotype, revealing a limitation of MLST in identifying similarities among isolates having different sequence types. • ST59 and ST338 MRSA may be transmitted among the communities of Taiwan and the Chinese mainland. To determine the molecular characteristics of a sequence type 338 community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) strain and the relationship among MRSA strains from various lineages and areas. Whole-genome sequencing, genomic comparison, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and hemolysis analysis were performed to identify the resistance determinants and virulence factors of strain ZY05 and the relationships among CC59 clones. MRSA strain ZY05 was resistant to tetracycline, erythromycin, and clindamycin, and the resistance genes erm (B) and tet (K) were detected in the genome. ZY05 harbors the genomic islands νSaα, νSaβ, νSaγ, and ΦSa2, the pathogenicity island νSa1, and virulence factors such as Panton–Valentine leukocidin, phenol-soluble modulins, alpha-hemolysin, enterotoxin B, enterotoxin K, and enterotoxin Q, which are the same as those present in ST59 strains. In addition, the virulence potential of ST338 did not differ from that of ST59. This strain contains the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCC mec) type V T , a distinct SCC mec type previously reported from Taiwan. The results of core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) analysis showed that the gene distances between ST59 and ST338 were close among CC59 isolates, while strains from Taiwan were identical to isolates from the Chinese mainland with respect to these two sequence types. The ST338 strain ZY05, which has a close genetic relationship to ST59 strains, is multidrug-resistant and highly virulent. Strains of two identical lineages, ST59 and ST338, from Taiwan and the Chinese mainland may have the same genetic background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Local application of recombinant interferon α-2b spray showed better performance. • Body temperature of experimental group recovered faster than that in control group. • Recombinant interferon α-2b spray was safe to use. The treatment of acute herpangina is inconsistent. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of interferon α-2b spray versus Ribavirin for this disease. A randomized, controlled trial was conducted in eight hospitals in China between 2016 and 2018. 668 patients (1–7 years old) were randomized into an experimental group (treated with Interferon α-2b spray) or control group (received Ribavirin Aerosol). Body temperature returning to normal within 72 h and remaining so for 24 h was the primary outcome; release of oral herpes and adverse events were the secondary outcomes. (1) The average age of onset was 2.5 years old. (2) After 72 h treatment, body temperature of 98.5% patients in experimental group and 94.3% in control group returned to normal and remained so for 24 h (P = 0.004). The differences were greater at 48 h treatment (95.2% vs. 85.9%, P < 0.001) and at 24 h (77.5% vs. 66.5%, P = 0.001). (3) The rate of improved oral herpes in the experimental group was higher than that in control group (46.7% vs.37.1%, P = 0.011). No adverse reaction occurred. Local application of recombinant interferon α-2b spray showed better efficacy for acute herpangina in children. It was safe for use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To determine the molecular characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility of healthcare-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) in Zhejiang Province. Methods A total of 391 HA-MRSA isolates were collected from 12 hospitals in five cities of Zhejiang Province, between January 2012 and May 2013. Susceptibility to vancomycin, teicoplanin, linezolid, tigecycline, and daptomycin was determined. Resistant isolates were screened for resistance mutations. Ten isolates from each hospital were then chosen at random for molecular typing. Results The isolates showed good susceptibility to all five anti-MRSA agents; only five sporadic non-susceptible isolates were detected. CC5/ST5-MRSA-II-t311 (39/120, 32.5%) was found to be the predominant HA-MRSA clone and was spread between the different hospitals in Hangzhou. CC5/ST5-MRSA-II-t002 was the most prevalent clone in Ningbo, while CC239/ST239-MRSA was epidemic only in certain hospitals in Wenzhou and Shaoxing. Fifteen ST59 isolates (15/120, 12.5%) were identified among the HA-MRSA isolates. Conclusions CC5/ST5-MRSA-II-t311 has become the predominant HA-MRSA clone in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. ST59 MRSA has spread into hospitals. The isolates showed good susceptibility to all five anti-MRSA agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]