title: Molecular characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates collected in Asunción, Paraguay.
abstract: We characterized 34 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated in Paraguay in 2005. The strains belonged to two clones. The major clone (sequence type 5 [ST5] or ST221, spa type t149, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec [SCCmec] type I) was similar to the Cordobes/Chilean clone spreading through South America, and the minor clone (ST239 or ST889, spa type t037, SCCmec type IIIA) was related to the Brazilian clone.
authors.affiliation: Microbiology Department, Central Laboratory, Hospital de Clinicas, Asunción, Paraguay, Université Lyon 1, Centre National de Référence des Staphylocoques, Faculté Laennec, F-69008 Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Lys
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mayor
authors.forename: Juana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ortellado
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Menacho
authors.forename: Graciela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lird
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Courtier
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gardon
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Meugnier
authors.forename: Michèle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bes
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vandenesch
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Etienne
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D010239:Paraguay / Q000453:epidemiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics