Emergence of a new clone carrying Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type V among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Greece

Scand J Infect Dis. 2008;40(5):368-72. doi: 10.1080/00365540701749230.

Abstract

Clonal analysis and PCR screening for the presence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes was performed among 694 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) cases collected during a 2-y period in Greece. The detection rate of PVL-positive MRSA is high, both in the community and in hospital. Clonal analysis revealed the predominance among the PVL-positive strains of the clonal complex CC80 (ST80-IV) and the emergence of ST377 clone carrying agr1 allele and SCCmec type V.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Toxins / genetics*
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Community-Acquired Infections / epidemiology
  • Community-Acquired Infections / microbiology
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology
  • Cross Infection / microbiology
  • DNA Fingerprinting
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field
  • Exotoxins / genetics*
  • Greece / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Leukocidins / genetics*
  • Methicillin Resistance / genetics*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Staphylococcal Infections / epidemiology*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / classification*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Staphylococcus aureus / genetics*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
  • Virulence Factors / genetics

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Exotoxins
  • Leukocidins
  • Panton-Valentine leukocidin
  • Virulence Factors