Characterization of methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates by molecular typing methods.
Two groups of clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolates were examined by molecular typing methods. Detailed protocols for the technical procedures are described. By means of plasmid DNA profiles, plasmid DNA restriction enzyme digestion, as well as whole-cell DNA endonuclease digestions subjected to conventional agarose gel electrophoresis and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, eight methicillin-susceptible S. aureus strains from three patients segregated into three different groups. Consecutive isolates from the same patient revealed identical fingerprints. Generally, good agreement between different molecular typing methods also was achieved in the investigation of 28 methicillin-resistant isolates. However, compared to whole-cell DNA restriction endonuclease analysis, plasmid DNA profiling (all but one strain had detectable plasmid DNA) showed a somewhat greater discriminatory ability. The techniques evaluated were reproducible and relatively easy to perform and provided valuable tools for studying the epidemiology of S. aureus in hospitals.
Kaufhold
A
A
University of Minnesota Medical School, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Minneapolis 55455.
Livdahl
C
C
Ferrieri
P
P
D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific / Q000378:metabolism; D016106:Methicillin Resistance / Q000235:genetics*; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific