High frequency of Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes in invasive methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus strains and the relationship with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Córdoba, Argentina.
In the study presented here, the genetic characteristics of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) strains isolated from patients attending hospitals in the city of Córdoba, Argentina, during 1999-2002 were evaluated to determine their genetic relationship with methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) clones as part of an effort to control the potential emergence of new epidemic MRSA strains. The results showed there is a high frequency of MSSA strains carrying Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes in invasive infections in Córdoba, Argentina, particularly in those occurring in hospital settings. Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes were found in the genomic background of one clone (ST30-N pulsotype) belonging to a successful internationally distributed MSSA lineage (clonal complex 30), which is closely related to the EMRSA-16 pandemic clone. These genes were also detected in the ancestral clone (ST5-M pulsotype) of the most prevalent MRSA epidemic clone causing healthcare-associated infections in this region, known as the Cordobes/Chilean clone. The molecular characterization of circulating MSSA strains, including the detection of Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes, is thus a useful marker for investigating the evolving epidemiology of hospital- and community-acquired MRSA clones.
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Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y M. Allende s/n Ciudad Universitaria, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina.
Saka
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Vindel
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Bocco
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000235:genetics*; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field / Q000379:methods; D005098:Exotoxins / Q000235:genetics*; D022761:Gene Transfer, Horizontal / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007956:Leukocidins / Q000235:genetics*; D016106:Methicillin Resistance / Q000235:genetics*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D005098:Exotoxins; D007956:Leukocidins; C078284:Panton-Valentine leukocidin