spa typing directly from a mecA, spa and pvl multiplex PCR assay-a cost-effective improvement for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus surveillance.
Rapid detection and typing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus are important components of infection control programmes. A protocol is described that enables sequencing of the spa gene fragment directly from a multiplex PCR targeting the clinically relevant mecA, pvl and spa genes, resulting in high-throughput characterisation of S. aureus. Implementation of the method in the Danish national reference laboratory has markedly reduced the use of reagents and the requirement for hands-on time, and has also provided fast typing results. In addition, the method reduces the risk of sample mishandling.
Larsen
A R
AR
National Centre for Antimicrobials and Infection Control, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark. arl@ssi.dk
Stegger
M
M
Sørum
M
M
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D003718:Denmark; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D016106:Methicillin Resistance / Q000235:genetics*; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000379:methods; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; C487789:mecA protein, Staphylococcus aureus