title: Prevalence of Major Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Clones in Korea Between 2001 and 2008.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are important pathogens causing nosocomial infections in Korean hospitals. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological and genetic diversity of clinical S. aureus isolates in healthcare settings from 2001 to 2008.
  
  
  METHODS
  Samples and data were obtained from 986 individuals as part of the National Antimicrobial Surveillance Project, involving 10 regions nationwide. Molecular typing studies, including multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing were performed, and a representative clone of Korean MRSA was classified by combinational grouping using a DiversiLab (DL; bioMérieux, France) repetitive element polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR) system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine Korean MRSA clones (KMRSA-1 to -9) were identified by analysis of genetic backgrounds and molecular characteristics. KMRSA-1 to -3, expressing clonal complex (CC) 5 (carrying SCCmec II), CC8 (carrying SCCmec III), and CC72 (carrying SCCmec IV) were spread nationwide. In contrast, KMRSA-6 was highly prevalent in Gyeongsangnam-do, and KMRSA-4 was highly prevalent in Jeollanam-do and Jeollabuk-do.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Epidemic KMRSA clones were genetically similar to major clones identified from the USA, with the exception of KMRSA-2, which had the SCCmec III type. Our results provide important insights into the distribution and molecular genetics of MRSA strains in Korea and may aid in the monitoring of MRSA spread throughout the country.
authors: Division of Antimicrobial Resistance, Center for Infectious Disease, National Research Institute of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), Cheongju, Korea.
authors: Gi Su
authors: GS
authors: Kang
authors: Division of Antimicrobial Resistance, Center for Infectious Disease, National Research Institute of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), Cheongju, Korea.
authors: Yung Hee
authors: YH
authors: Jung
authors: Division of Antimicrobial Resistance, Center for Infectious Disease, National Research Institute of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), Cheongju, Korea.
authors: Hwa Su
authors: HS
authors: Kim
authors: Division of Antimicrobial Resistance, Center for Infectious Disease, National Research Institute of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), Cheongju, Korea.
authors: Yeong Seon
authors: YS
authors: Lee
authors: Division of Antimicrobial Resistance, Center for Infectious Disease, National Research Institute of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), Cheongju, Korea.
authors: Chan
authors: C
authors: Park
authors: Division of Antimicrobial Resistance, Center for Infectious Disease, National Research Institute of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), Cheongju, Korea.
authors: Kwang Jun
authors: KJ
authors: Lee
authors: Division of Antimicrobial Resistance, Center for Infectious Disease, National Research Institute of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), Cheongju, Korea. jeongok22@gmail.com.
authors: Jeong Ok
authors: JO
authors: Cha
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D058885:Multilocus Sequence Typing; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial
keywords: DiversiLab; Genetic diversity; Korean MRSA clones; Multilocus sequence typing