Abstract
The cell wall‐anchored protein‐encoding spj gene on staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec IVl (SCCmecIVl) was found to vary in size because of its 22‐ and 86‐aa repeat domains. The 22‐aa repeats are the more flexible of the two repeats, comprising three 11‐aa units, and were classified into three groups with eleven types. The 11/22‐aa repeats are longer in individuals with bullous impetigo, shorter in those with invasive disease and were absent in a fatal case, this last one having been rapidly diagnosed by PCR. IS431‐flanking pUB110 (bleO, aadD) is present on SCCmecIVl at 90%. The bacterial surface has the spj product and a unique surface layer.
Highlights
The term MRSA includes healthcare‐ and community‐ associated types, HA‐ and community‐associated methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA‐MRSA), respectively
HA‐ MRSA infections most frequently occur in inpatients,[1] whereas CA‐MRSA infections occur in healthy individuals, usually causing skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI), but occasionally causing invasive infections.[1,2]
We previously reported on ST8/SCCmecIVl CA‐MRSA (CA‐MRSA/J) in 2012.5,6 CA‐MRSA/J is associated with a broad range of disease manifestations,[6,7] one death having been caused by a strongly invasive pathotype,[8] and can be transmitted on public transport,[9] including having been spread internationally to Hong Kong.[6]
Summary
The term MRSA includes healthcare‐ and community‐ associated types, HA‐ and CA‐MRSA, respectively. We analyzed the SCCmecIVl structures of these four strains, together with 26 other CA‐MRSA/J strains, our aim being to identify a factor/structure specific to the strongly invasive SI1 pathotype.
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