Journal article

Adaptive change inferred from genomic population analysis of the ST93 epidemic clone of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

TP Stinear, KE Holt, K Chua, J Stepnell, KL Tuck, G Coombs, PF Harrison, T Seemann, BP Howden

Genome Biology and Evolution | OXFORD UNIV PRESS | Published : 2014

Abstract

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has emerged as a major public health problem around the world. In Australia, ST93-IV[2B] is the dominant CA-MRSA clone and displays significantly greater virulence than other S. aureus. Here, we have examined the evolution of ST93 via genomic analysis of 12MSSA and 44MRSAST93 isolates, collected from around Australia over a 17-year period. Comparative analysis revealed a core genome of 2.6Mb, sharing greater than 99.7% nucleotide identity. The accessory genome was 0.45Mb and comprised additional mobile DNA elements, harboring resistance to erythromycin, trimethoprim, and tetracycline. Phylogenetic inference revealed a..

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