The Distribution of Mobile Genetic Elements (MGEs) in MRSA CC398 Is Associated with Both Host and Country

• DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evr092
• Publication Date: 2011-09-15T08:10:54Z
• Authors: Alex J. McCarthy; Adam A. Witney; Katherine A. Gould; Arshnee Moodley; Luca Guardabassi; Andreas Voss; Olivier Denis; Els M. Broens; Jason Hinds; Jodi A. Lindsay
• Keywords: SCCmec; Carriage; Lineage (genetic)

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clonal complex (CC) 398 has emerged from pigs to cause human infections in Europe and North America. We used a new 62-strain S. microarray (SAM-62) compare genomes of isolates three geographical areas (Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands) understand how CC398 colonizes different mammalian hosts. The core 44 pig 32 humans did not vary. However, mobile genetic element (MGE) distribution was variable including SCCmec. φ3 bacteriophage specificity genes (chp, sak, scn) were found invasive but isolates. SaPI5 putative ruminant gene variants (vwb common specific. Virulence resistance carriage host associated country conclude MGE exchange is frequent greatest among populations close contact. This feature may help determine epidemiological associations the same lineage.