A Novel Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay for Rapid Typing of Major Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec Elements

Abstract

We describe a novel procedure for rapid typing of the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec element, a molecular marker allowing discrimination between community-and hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. Oligonucleotides targeting the recombinase genes were type specific and used to type a collection of 399 MRSA isolates recovered during patient screening at admission. This novel assay constitutes a valuable tool for evaluating the molecular epidemiology of MRSA and adjusting infection control strategies against MRSA.

StaphylococcalCassette Chromosomemec(SCCmec) Typing of Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusStrains Isolated from Community- and Hospital-Acquired Infections

“…Therefore, MRSA screening is extremely important for epidemiological surveillance in order to prevent the spread of MRSA infections. To classify MRSAs, it is necessary to understand their genetic structure and detect all SCCmec types (2,5). Although conventional MRSA typing techniques are not adequate for epidemiological surveys, numerous molecular techniques are available for this purpose (6,7).…”

Genetic Diagnosis of Community-Acquired MRSA: A Multiplex Real-Time PCR Method for Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec Typing and Detecting Toxin Genes

“…The appearance of endemic CA-MRSA has recently been reported (Francois et al 2004). In contrast to hospitalassociated (HA)-MRSA, CA-MRSA is frequently isolated from healthy people.…”

“…In addition, CA-MRSA tends to lead to serious and fatal outcomes. CA-MRSA isolates generally carry the SCCmec type IV element, which is much smaller than the SCCmec type I, II and III elements (Francois et al 2004). It is thought that the SCCmec type IV element is prone to insertion into the MSSA in the community setting.…”

“…It is difficult to cure these infections because MRSA is multiple-drug resistant. MRSA strains emerge as the significant clinical problem around the world, and studies are moved ahead with the epidemiological analysis of typing of MRSA clones to mark a trend (Francois et al 2004).…”

Efficacy of the essential oil of Origanum glandulosum Desf against skin infections With PVL-producing Staphylococcus aureus strains in mice

“…The search for the PVL gene was made by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a StratageneMx 3000 appartus and TaqMan probe primers as previously described (Francois et al, 2004).…”