HOSPITAL INFECTIONS IN SPAIN .1. STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS (1978-91)

This study was undertaken to determine the distribution of phage types of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from hospital outbreaks or sporadic cases received in our laboratory during the past 14 years. The record s for 15 803 isolates from 55 Spanish hospitals have been analysed, In relation to sporadic isolates we have been able to detect the predomi nance of phage group I and non-typable staphylococcal strains. Since 1 989, we have observed a considerable increase in hospital infection ca used by methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains which we could differe ntiate in to two groups; one belonging to phage group III (6/47/54/75/ 77/84/85) and other groups of non-typable strains which could be class ified as phage group I-III after heat treatment (29/77/84) and with si milar patterns by reverse typing (6/47/53/54/75/83A/84/85/W57/1030/180 42). During 1990 and 1991, these strains have extended widely to at le ast six different autonomous regions creating an epidemic situation in Spain.