Abstract
AIM: This study investigates the demographic distribution, antibiotic resistance profiles, and molecular characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus infections. METHODS: The study was carried out in 141 patients, 60.4% male, in patients from Chania and Heraklion, Crete. RESULTS: The highest infection prevalence observed in the older adults (≥65 years) age group. The predominant infection types were skin lesions (39.72) and respiratory tract infection (22.7%). Antibiotic resistance testing revealed that 57.44% of strains were MRSA, with high resistance to Tetracycline, Ciprofloxacin, Kanamycine Erythromycin and Clindamycin. Molecular analysis showed 19.14% of strains were Pvl-positive, highlighting the presence of both MRSA and MSSA strains with Pvl genes. CONCLUSIONS: The study underscores the need for continuous surveillance and targeted infection control strategies to manage the spread of MRSA, particularly in vulnerable populations.