Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 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

Distinction of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec type V elements from Staphylococcus aureus ST398

Monika A Chlebowicz1, Thijs Bosch, Artur J Sabat

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, P.O. Box 30001, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands.

International Journal of Medical Microbiology : IJMM
|June 22, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Livestock-associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ST398 strains can cause severe human infections. This study details the specific J1 region of the SCCmec element in a clinical MRSA ST398 isolate, finding it unique to PVL-positive ST398 strains.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant global health threat.
  • Livestock, particularly the ST398 lineage, serves as a reservoir for MRSA.
  • ST398 strains are increasingly implicated in severe human infections, sometimes without clear livestock links.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the J1 region of the type V SCCmec element and its chromosomal junction in a clinical PVL-positive ST398 MRSA isolate.
  • To compare the J1 region with other type V SCCmec elements.
  • To determine the specificity of the J1 region within the ST398 lineage.

Main Methods:

  • Whole genome sequencing of the J1 region and chromosomal junction of the UMCG-M4 MRSA ST398 isolate.
  • Sequence comparison analysis with other SCCmec elements.
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and typing studies.

Main Results:

  • The sequenced type V SCCmec element shares a common core structure with others but exhibits a distinct J1 region.
  • The J1 region of the UMCG-M4 isolate is specific to SCCmec elements found in PVL-positive ST398 MRSA strains.
  • The right chromosomal junction sequence is consistent across ST398 lineage strains.

Conclusions:

  • The J1 region of SCCmec elements can be a distinguishing feature for specific MRSA lineages, such as PVL-positive ST398.
  • Understanding SCCmec element variations aids in tracking MRSA transmission and evolution.
  • The invariant chromosomal junction provides a stable marker for ST398 identification.
Keywords:
5C2&5Chromosomal junctionJ1 regionMRSASCCmecST398Type V

More Related Videos

Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus10:39

Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus

Published on: March 10, 2017

A Fluorescence-based Method to Study Bacterial Gene Regulation in Infected Tissues07:10

A Fluorescence-based Method to Study Bacterial Gene Regulation in Infected Tissues

Published on: February 19, 2019

Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
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...
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
Bacterial Phylum Actinobacteria01:30

Bacterial Phylum Actinobacteria

Coryneform bacteria are gram-positive, aerobic, nonmotile rods that exhibit irregular, club-shaped, or V-shaped arrangements. Their V-shape results from snapping division, where the inner cell wall layer forms the cross-wall, while the outer layer remains intact until it ruptures on one side, causing the daughter cells to bend away.The primary genera are Corynebacterium and Arthrobacter. Corynebacterium includes diverse species, ranging from saprophytes to pathogens like Corynebacterium...
Bacterial Phylum Verrucomicrobiota01:26

Bacterial Phylum Verrucomicrobiota

The phylum Verrucomicrobiota comprises at least four characterized orders, with most species classified within the order Verrucomicrobiotales. Members of this phylum are either aerobic or facultatively aerobic, with the ability to ferment sugars. A notable exception is the genus Methylacidiphilum, which consists of aerobic methanotrophs. Additionally, some Verrucomicrobiota establish symbiotic relationships with protists. These bacteria are widely distributed across various environments,...