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08:51
Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus by Ribosomal Spacer PCR (RS-PCR)
Published on: November 4, 2016
Molecular characterization of endocarditis-associated Staphylococcus aureus.
Cara Nethercott1, Amanda N Mabbett, Makrina Totsika
1School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|April 26, 2013
Summary
Staphylococcus aureus strains linked to infective endocarditis (IE) were identified using multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and spa typing. Specific genetic markers and virulence genes were associated with IE, aiding epidemiological surveillance.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe heart infection often caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
- Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of healthcare-associated and device-related infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of multilocus sequence typing (MLST), spa typing, and virulence gene microarrays in understanding Staphylococcus aureus epidemiology in IE.
- To identify specific genetic profiles and virulence factors associated with IE.
Main Methods:
- Collected and analyzed 97 Staphylococcus aureus isolates from patients with IE, bloodstream infections, and skin/soft-tissue infections.
- Utilized MLST, spa typing, eBURST analysis, and DNA microarray analysis to characterize isolates.
- Employed statistical models (null model, PERMANOVA) to identify correlations and genotypic differences.
Main Results:
- Identified specific MLST clonal complexes (CC12, CC20) and spa type (t160) significantly associated with IE.
- Found a subset of virulence genes, including those for staphylococcal superantigen-like proteins and fibrinogen-binding protein, correlated with IE isolates.
- Demonstrated genotypic differences between IE and non-IE Staphylococcus aureus strains.
Conclusions:
- MLST, spa typing, and microarray analysis are valuable tools for monitoring Staphylococcus aureus epidemiology in IE.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the role of identified virulence genes in Staphylococcus aureus IE pathogenesis.
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