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Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus by Ribosomal Spacer PCR RS-PCR
Published on: November 4, 2016
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Emerging novel sequence types of Staphylococcus aureus in Pakistan
Ambrina Khatoon1, Syed F Hussain2, Syed M Shahid3
1The Karachi Institute of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering (KIBGE), University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan; Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Journal of Infection and Public Health
|November 22, 2023
Summary
This study reveals high diversity in Staphylococcus aureus clones circulating in Pakistan, with significant multidrug resistance and methicillin-resistant strains identified. Findings emphasize the need for targeted public health strategies and surveillance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Increasing incidence of Staphylococcus aureus infections in Pakistan.
- Limited investigations into the epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus research clones.
- Need for molecular characterization of circulating strains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus in Pakistan using multilocus sequence typing (MLST).
- To characterize methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains.
- To understand the diversity and evolution of local Staphylococcus aureus clones.
Main Methods:
- Biochemical screening of 1015 staphylococcal strains.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing against 13 antibiotics.
- Molecular characterization of MRSA using MLST, clonal complex analysis, recombination, and phylogenetic analysis.
Main Results:
- 421 Staphylococcus aureus isolates confirmed; 57% multidrug-resistant, 89% of those were MRSA.
- MLST identified 39 sequence types (STs) and 5 clonal complexes (CCs), including 22 novel STs.
- CC8 was the most common; significant MLST locus shifts observed with specific point mutations.
Conclusions:
- High diversity of local Staphylococcus aureus clones with distinct geographic epidemiology.
- Implications for public health, including tailored infection control and antibiotic stewardship.
- Highlights the need for global surveillance and understanding bacterial evolution.
