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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus by Ribosomal Spacer PCR (RS-PCR)
Published on: November 4, 2016
Molecular characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream isolates from Croatia
Ana Budimir1, Ruud H Deurenberg, Vanda Plecko
1Department of Clinical and Molecular Microbiology, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, Croatia, and Maastricht Infection Center (MINC), Department of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Objectives:
The objectives of this study were (i) to investigate the genetic background of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream isolates from Croatia and (ii) to monitor the prevalence of Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) among these isolates.
Methods:
Eighty-two hospital-acquired MRSA bloodstream isolates, collected in 2001 and 2002 in Croatia, were characterized by PFGE, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The presence of genes encoding PVL and TSST-1 was investigated by real-time PCR.
Results:
All strains were multiresistant and were distributed among 16 different similarity groups as determined by PFGE. Two of the groups, groups H and K, harboured the majority of the MRSA strains with 52 and 12%, respectively. The predominant SCCmec type found among the isolates was type I (89%). Eleven per cent of the strains harboured a modified SCCmec type III, which contained, in contrast to the regular type III, an additional dcs region. One strain harboured a novel SCCmec type, containing the ccrC gene in combination with the mecI gene, the dcs region, the locus between pI258 and Tn554 (locus E) and the locus between Tn554 and orfX (locus F). MLST showed the presence of ST111-MRSA-I and ST247-MRSA-I among Croatian MRSA isolates. All isolates were negative for both PVL and TSST-1.
Conclusions:
These results indicate the emergence of ST111-MRSA-I and ST247-MRSA-I in Croatia among MRSA bloodstream isolates. The virulence factors PVL and TSST-1 were not present among these isolates.
Insights
This study identified ST111-MRSA-I and ST247-MRSA-I in Croatian MRSA bloodstream isolates. Neither Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) nor toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) were detected in these multiresistant strains.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Genetics
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant global health threat.
- Understanding the genetic diversity and virulence factors of MRSA is crucial for effective treatment and control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic background of MRSA bloodstream isolates from Croatia.
- To determine the prevalence of Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) in these isolates.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of 82 hospital-acquired MRSA isolates using PFGE, SCCmec typing, and MLST.
- Real-time PCR was employed to detect PVL and TSST-1 encoding genes.
Main Results:
- All isolates exhibited multidrug resistance.
- ST111-MRSA-I and ST247-MRSA-I were identified as the predominant MRSA types.
- No PVL or TSST-1 genes were found in any of the analyzed MRSA isolates.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights the emergence of specific MRSA clones (ST111-MRSA-I and ST247-MRSA-I) in Croatia.
- The absence of PVL and TSST-1 suggests these specific clones may not harbor these common virulence factors.
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