Capillary electrophoretic methods for classification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clones

This study describes differentiation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates belonging to different genotype groups by the combination of electrophoretic techniques, transient isotachophoresis and micellar electrokinetic chromatography. MRSA isolates were separated in fused silica capillary with roughened inner surface prepared by etching with supercritical water. Separation temperature together with the rinsing procedure of the capillary turned out to be the key factors of successful analysis. The individual genotype groups were baseline-resolved in 40 min. Partial separation of the individual isolates within the groups was also observed. Relative standard deviations of the migration times of the isolate zones ranged from 0.32 to 0.79%. In addition, capability of the developed CE method to concentrate and separate MRSA isolates in clinical samples was proved by the analysis of blood sample.