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Updated: May 21, 2026
Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus by Ribosomal Spacer PCR (RS-PCR)
Published on: November 4, 2016
Genomic analysis of the emergence of vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Scott D Kobayashi1, James M Musser, Frank R DeLeo
1National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA.
Abstract:
Staphylococcus aureus is a human commensal bacterium and a prominent cause of infections globally. The high incidence of S. aureus infections is compounded by the ability of the microbe to readily acquire resistance to antibiotics. In the United States, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality by a single infectious agent. Therapeutic options for severe MRSA infections are limited to a few antibiotics to which the organism is typically susceptible, including vancomycin. Acquisition of high-level vancomycin resistance by MRSA is a major concern, but to date, there have been only 12 vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) isolates reported in the United States and all belong to a phylogenetic lineage known as clonal complex 5. To gain enhanced understanding of the genetic characteristics conducive to the acquisition of vancomycin resistance by S. aureus, V. N. Kos et al. performed whole-genome sequencing of all 12 VRSA isolates and compared the DNA sequences to the genomes of other S. aureus strains. The findings provide new information about the evolutionary history of VRSA and identify genetic features that may bear on the relationship between S. aureus clonal complex 5 strains and the acquisition of vancomycin resistance genes from enterococci.
Insights
Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) is a growing threat. Whole-genome sequencing of 12 VRSA isolates reveals genetic factors linked to vancomycin resistance acquisition in specific S. aureus lineages.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of human infections globally.
- Antibiotic resistance, particularly methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), poses a significant public health challenge.
- Vancomycin is a critical antibiotic for treating severe MRSA infections, making vancomycin resistance a major concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic characteristics associated with vancomycin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus.
- To understand the evolutionary history of vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) isolates.
- To explore the relationship between specific S. aureus lineages and the acquisition of vancomycin resistance genes.
Main Methods:
- Whole-genome sequencing of all 12 reported US VRSA isolates.
- Comparative genomic analysis of VRSA strains against other S. aureus genomes.
- Phylogenetic analysis to determine the lineage of VRSA isolates.
Main Results:
- All 12 reported US VRSA isolates belong to the clonal complex 5 phylogenetic lineage.
- Whole-genome sequencing provided insights into the genetic makeup of these VRSA strains.
- The study identified genetic features potentially related to vancomycin resistance acquisition in CC5 strains.
Conclusions:
- Specific genetic features within the S. aureus clonal complex 5 lineage may predispose strains to acquiring vancomycin resistance.
- Understanding these genetic factors is crucial for monitoring and combating the emergence of VRSA.
- The findings shed light on the potential transfer of vancomycin resistance genes from enterococci to S. aureus.
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