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Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus
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Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus

Published on: March 10, 2017

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Clonal Spreading of ST42 Staphylococcus haemolyticus Strains Occurs Possibly Due to fusB and tetK Resistant Genes and

Lee-Chung Lin1, Shih-Cheng Chang1,2, Yu-Hsiang Ou1

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|April 13, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus haemolyticus (MRSA) strains, particularly ST42, show increased resistance to fusidic acid and tetracycline due to specific genes. Enhanced surveillance is crucial to prevent the spread of this hospital pathogen.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Multi-drug resistant *Staphylococcus haemolyticus* is a significant cause of hospital-acquired infections.
  • Previous studies noted clonal lineage changes in *S. haemolyticus* without clear explanations.
  • The ST42 strain, derived from ST3, showed variations potentially linked to increased virulence or resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate genotypic and phenotypic variations between *Staphylococcus haemolyticus* ST42 and ST3 strains.
  • To identify genetic factors contributing to the potential endemicity of the ST42 lineage.
  • To assess the prevalence of drug resistance genes and capsule-related genes in clinical isolates.

Main Methods:

  • Whole genome sequencing of two *S. haemolyticus* isolates (ST42 and ST3).
  • Validation of genotypic findings in 140 clinical isolates.
  • Phenotypic analysis of antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation.

Main Results:

  • The ST42 strain harbored fusidic acid (*fusB*) and tetracycline (*tetK*) resistance genes more frequently than ST3 (46% vs. 23% for *fusB*, 70% vs. 4.2% for *tetK*).
  • ST42 isolates exhibited significantly higher resistance to fusidic acid (47% vs. 23%) and tetracycline (70% vs. 4%).
  • Three capsule-related genes were more prevalent in ST42 isolates compared to ST3.

Conclusions:

  • Genetic variations, particularly the presence of *fusB* and *tetK*, contribute to the distinct characteristics of the ST42 lineage.
  • The ST42 strain of *Staphylococcus haemolyticus* shows potential for becoming endemic in Taiwan.
  • Continuous surveillance is necessary to control the spread of this multi-drug resistant pathogen.
Keywords:
Staphylococcus haemolyticus ST42capsule related genesfusBtetK

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