A novel multiplex real-time PCR assay for rapid typing of major staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec elements.
We describe a novel procedure for rapid typing of the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec element, a molecular marker allowing discrimination between community- and hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. Oligonucleotides targeting the recombinase genes were type specific and used to type a collection of 399 MRSA isolates recovered during patient screening at admission. This novel assay constitutes a valuable tool for evaluating the molecular epidemiology of MRSA and adjusting infection control strategies against MRSA.
Francois
Patrice
P
Genomic Research Laboratory, University of Geneva Hospitals, CH-1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland. patrice.francois@genomic.ch
Renzi
Gesuele
G
Pittet
Didier
D
Bento
Manuela
M
Lew
Daniel
D
Harbarth
Stephan
S
Vaudaux
Pierre
P
Schrenzel
Jacques
J
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D002876:Chromosomes, Bacterial; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; C487789:mecA protein, Staphylococcus aureus