Frequency of small-colony variants and antimicrobial susceptibility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in cystic fibrosis patients

A significant proportion of MRSA isolates recovered from patients with CF have the SCV morphology. Compared to individuals with NCV MRSA, those with SCV MRSA have higher rates of persistent MRSA infection and lower lung function. SCV MRSA isolates were more resistant than NCV, but they are highly susceptible to vancomycin, linezolid and ceftaroline.