Open AccessAccessory Gene Regulator ( agr ) Dysfunction in Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Isolates from South Korean Patients
Author(s) -
Yong Pil Chong,
Eun Sil Kim,
SuJin Park,
Ki-Ho Park,
Tark Kim,
MiNa Kim,
SungHan Kim,
SangOh Lee,
SangHo Choi,
Jun Hee Woo,
JinYong Jeong,
Yang Soo Kim
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.07
H-Index - 259
eISSN - 1070-6283
pISSN - 0066-4804
DOI - 10.1128/aac.01260-12
Subject(s) - staphylococcus aureus , microbiology and biotechnology , sccmec , biology , methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus , vancomycin , staphylococcal infections , micrococcaceae , bloodstream infection , lineage (genetic) , gene , antibiotics , antibacterial agent , bacteria , genetics
We describe the genetic and microbiological characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream isolates with agr dysfunction from a tertiary-care hospital in Korea. Of these, ST5-SCCmec type II-agr group II MRSA isolates, which are known to be prevalent in hospital-acquired infections in Korea, were the most abundant, because of the clonal spread of a specific agr-defective lineage. This finding suggests that the loss of agr function may confer a potential advantage in a hospital setting. Clonal spread of a specific defective-agr strain was not observed among community-associated MRSA or methicillin-susceptible S. aureus clones, regardless of community or hospital acquisition of infection. agr-defective clones, including ST5 and ST239 MRSA, were enriched for heteroresistant vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus.
Accelerating Research
Robert Robinson Avenue,
Oxford Science Park, Oxford
OX4 4GP, United Kingdom
Address
John Eccles HouseRobert Robinson Avenue,
Oxford Science Park, Oxford
OX4 4GP, United Kingdom