Open AccessA Novel Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay for Rapid Typing of Major Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec Elements
Author(s) -
Patrice François,
Gesuèle Renzi,
Didier Pittet,
Manuela Bento,
Daniel Pablo Lew,
Stephan Harbarth,
Pierre Vaudaux,
Jacques Schrenzel
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of clinical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.349
H-Index - 255
eISSN - 1070-633X
pISSN - 0095-1137
DOI - 10.1128/jcm.42.7.3309-3312.2004
Subject(s) - typing , multiplex , biology , multiplex polymerase chain reaction , recombinase , staphylococcus aureus , microbiology and biotechnology , staphylococcal infections , sccmec , phage typing , polymerase chain reaction , genetics , methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus , virology , gene , bacteria , recombination
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.