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Multiplex PCR Assay for Typing of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Mec Types I to V in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
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Multiplex PCR Assay for Typing of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Mec Types I to V in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Published on: September 5, 2013

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The Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec type V from Staphylococcus aureus ST398 is packaged into bacteriophage

Monika A Chlebowicz1, Ivana Mašlaňová2, Lucie Kuntová2

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

International Journal of Medical Microbiology : IJMM
|June 22, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Bacteriophages, or bacterial viruses, can transfer the methicillin resistance gene (mecA) from Staphylococcus aureus. This finding sheds light on how antibiotic resistance spreads between bacteria.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec (SCCmec) element confers methicillin resistance to Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
  • The mechanisms of large SCCmec element exchange among staphylococci are not fully understood.
  • The MRSA isolate UMCG-M4 (ST398) harbors four prophages.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the transducing capabilities of prophages from MRSA UMCG-M4.
  • To determine the role of these phages in the transmission of the SCCmec type V (5C2&5) element.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed transduction of plasmid pT181 by S. aureus phages.
  • Investigated phage particle content for SCCmec elements.
  • Examined the transfer of the mecA gene via phage particles.

Main Results:

  • Phages from UMCG-M4 successfully transduced plasmid pT181.
  • Purified phage particles contained significant portions of the SCCmec element, including the mecA gene.
  • Complete SCCmec element transduction was not observed.

Conclusions:

  • Staphylococcal phages can encapsulate and potentially transfer the mecA gene from large SCCmec type V elements.
  • This phage-mediated mechanism may contribute to the dissemination of methicillin resistance in staphylococci.
Keywords:
PhageSCCmecST398Staphylococcus aureusTransduction

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