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Distribution of the ACME-arcA gene among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from England and Wales

Matthew J Ellington1, Lianne Yearwood, Mark Ganner

  • 1Staphylococcus Reference Laboratory (SRL), Laboratory of Healthcare Associated Infection, Centre for Infections, Health Protection Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK. matthew.ellington@hpa.org.uk

The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
|November 9, 2007
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME) arcA gene was found in diverse methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains in England and Wales. This highlights the mobility of ACME and raises public health concerns due to varied resistance profiles.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • The ST8-SCCmecIVa (USA300) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clone can harbor the arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME).
  • The arc gene cluster within ACME may function as a virulence or strain survival factor.
  • Determined the distribution of the ACME-associated arcA gene among genetically diverse MRSA from England and Wales.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the distribution of the ACME-associated arcA gene among genetically diverse MRSA isolates in England and Wales.
  • To characterize ACME-arcA-positive MRSA isolates for toxin genes, genetic relatedness, and antimicrobial resistance.
  • To assess the public health implications of ACME-arcA presence in diverse MRSA strains.

Main Methods:

  • Tested 203 MRSA isolates of diverse genetic types for the presence of the ACME-arcA gene.
  • Characterized ACME-arcA-positive isolates using toxin gene profiling, PFGE, and spa sequence typing.
  • Determined MICs of a range of antimicrobials for ACME-arcA-positive isolates.

Main Results:

  • The ACME-arcA gene was detected in 17 MRSA isolates.
  • Twelve ACME-arcA isolates were related to the USA300 lineage, showing oxacillin resistance and variable resistance to ciprofloxacin and erythromycin.
  • Four other ACME-arcA isolates were ST97-MRSA-SCCmecV, and one was ST1, exhibiting various resistance patterns. Thirteen isolates were associated with skin and soft tissue infections.

Conclusions:

  • The detection of ACME-arcA in diverse MRSA types indicates the mobility of ACME elements.
  • The diversity of strain types and resistance profiles among ACME-arcA-encoding MRSA is a public health concern.
  • Continued surveillance and close monitoring of ACME-arcA-encoding MRSA are necessary.

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