[Evaluation of great gene variations in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus--controlled study in 363 strains from 192 patients].
BACKGROUND
We tested a hypothesis that major gene variations of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are detectable in a single patient.


METHODS
We isolated 363 strains of MRSA in 192 patients diagnosed as having MRSA infection in Yamagata University Hospital. By an established pulsed-field gel electrophoresis method, all strains were analysed by Sma I macrorestriction patterns of genomic DNA.


RESULTS
A total of 54 different electrophoresis was observed, (8 major types each of which has 5-8 subtypes). Two or more strains could be isolated in 68 patients. Out of these patients 2-4 different gene variations were detected in a single patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that gene variations can be detectable in a single patient and that caution should be paid for diagnosis of MRSA cross infection.
Sakai
Michiko
M
Department of Anesthesiology, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata 990-9585.
Ota
Reiko
R
Kotani
Naoki
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification
D004269:DNA, Bacterial