Molecular investigation of a furunculosis outbreak at a penitentiary in southern Brazil.

Background: The overcrowding of prison cells, combined with precarious and unsanitary conditions, is a critical factor for the health of inmates. This study carried out phenotypic and molecular characterization of the pathogen responsible for an outbreak of furunculosis in a penitentiary in southern Brazil.

Methods: Samples were collected using sterile swabs from the furuncles, then subjected to biochemical identification, disk diffusion, and RAPD-PCR.

Results: Biochemical tests identified Staphylococcus aureus as the etiological agent of this skin infection, while the RAPD-PCR technique revealed a common genetic profile among the affected individuals. All strains analyzed showed susceptibility to most of the antimicrobials evaluated, except penicillin.

Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for investment in prison facilities, efficient disinfection protocols, continuous monitoring, and equitable health treatment for growing inmates in Brazil's prison complex.