Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 2, 2026

Multiplex PCR Assay for Typing of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Mec Types I to V in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
09:03

Multiplex PCR Assay for Typing of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Mec Types I to V in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Published on: September 5, 2013

Molecular characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis clones: evidence of geographic

Maria Miragaia1, Isabel Couto, Sandro F F Pereira

  • 1Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|February 5, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) is a growing nosocomial pathogen. Molecular typing revealed clonal dissemination of MRSE strains across multiple countries, highlighting the need for enhanced infection control.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is rare in Denmark and Iceland due to strict infection control.
  • Methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE) remains a significant nosocomial pathogen.
  • Understanding MRSE epidemiology is crucial for effective control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular epidemiology of MRSE isolates from Denmark and Iceland.
  • To determine the clonal relatedness and geographic dissemination of MRSE strains.
  • To assess the antimicrobial resistance patterns of isolated MRSE.

Main Methods:

  • Molecular typing using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).
  • Analysis of 136 MRSE isolates from Denmark and 94 from Iceland (1997-1998).
  • Identification of distinct PFGE patterns and assessment of multiresistance.

Main Results:

  • PFGE analysis identified 40 distinct MRSE patterns.
  • Closely related MRSE strains were found in Denmark, Iceland, Mexico, Uruguay, Greece, and Cape Verde.
  • A high prevalence (87.4%) of multiresistant MRSE isolates was observed.

Conclusions:

  • MRSE strains exhibit clonal dissemination across international borders.
  • Multiresistance is a common characteristic of circulating MRSE.
  • Findings underscore the importance of global surveillance and infection control for MRSE.

Related Concept Videos

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA01:25

Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria arises when microorganisms evolve the ability to withstand drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This phenomenon, driven by genetic change and selection under antibiotic exposure, poses a profound threat to modern medicine. Mechanisms include drug-inactivating enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), efflux pumps that eject antibiotics, mutations altering antibiotic targets, decreased drug uptake, and acquisition...
Modern Molecular Taxonomy01:29

Modern Molecular Taxonomy

Advancements in molecular biology have revolutionized the identification and characterization of bacteria, with multiple methods leveraging DNA sequencing for enhanced precision. As sequencing technologies improve and costs decline, these approaches are increasingly used in clinical, environmental, and evolutionary studies.Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) examines several housekeeping genes, essential chromosomal genes encoding cellular functions, to distinguish strains. Approximately...
Applications of Molecular Taxonomy01:20

Applications of Molecular Taxonomy

Molecular taxonomy has revolutionized the understanding and classification of bacteria, providing precise insights into their diversity, evolutionary relationships, and ecological roles. By utilizing molecular techniques such as DNA sequencing and fingerprinting, researchers have made significant strides in various fields related to bacterial studies.Resolving Taxonomic AmbiguitiesMolecular taxonomy has been instrumental in distinguishing closely related bacterial species initially thought to...
Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
Methods of Classification and Identification01:28

Methods of Classification and Identification

Bacterial identification relies on a diverse array of techniques to classify and understand microorganisms, each tailored to uncover specific characteristics. Traditional morphological approaches, while still valuable, are limited for closely related or structurally simple organisms. Modern methods integrate biochemical, serological, genetic, and advanced molecular tools to achieve greater accuracy.Morphological and Biochemical TechniquesMorphological characteristics, such as cell shape and...