Here we report for the first time, a detailed characterization of a variant of the SCCmec element, in a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus intermedius human isolate. S. intermedius is a coagulase-positive zoonotic microrganism, recently classified as a separate species. In routine clinical laboratory practice, the coagulase production is used as criterion of pathogenicity related to S. aureus, but S. intermedius is frequently misidentified - being mistaken for S. aureus - and consequently its real incidence underestimated. S. intermedius have been found only occasionally in human beings, and methicillin-resistance is very rare for this organism. Even if the genetic element responsible for methicillin-resistance - the mecA gene carried by diverse staphylococcal chromosomal cassettes - has been described in various staphylococcal species, the current literature doesn't report any case of S. intermedius isolate carrying SCCmec-like elements. Our study could be useful to explain the mechanism and routes of transfer of the chromosomal cassette carrying the mec complex, among staphylococci. © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
Characterization of a variant of the SCCmec element in a bloodstream isolate of Staphylococcus intermedius / Campanile, Floriana; Bongiorno, Dafne; Borbone, Sonia; Venditti, Mario; Giannella, Maddalena; Franchi, Cristiana; Stefani, Stefania. - In: MICROBIAL DRUG RESISTANCE. - ISSN 1076-6294. - ELETTRONICO. - 13:1(2007), pp. 7-10. [10.1089/mdr.2006.9991]
Characterization of a variant of the SCCmec element in a bloodstream isolate of Staphylococcus intermedius
GIANNELLA, MADDALENA;
2007
Abstract
Here we report for the first time, a detailed characterization of a variant of the SCCmec element, in a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus intermedius human isolate. S. intermedius is a coagulase-positive zoonotic microrganism, recently classified as a separate species. In routine clinical laboratory practice, the coagulase production is used as criterion of pathogenicity related to S. aureus, but S. intermedius is frequently misidentified - being mistaken for S. aureus - and consequently its real incidence underestimated. S. intermedius have been found only occasionally in human beings, and methicillin-resistance is very rare for this organism. Even if the genetic element responsible for methicillin-resistance - the mecA gene carried by diverse staphylococcal chromosomal cassettes - has been described in various staphylococcal species, the current literature doesn't report any case of S. intermedius isolate carrying SCCmec-like elements. Our study could be useful to explain the mechanism and routes of transfer of the chromosomal cassette carrying the mec complex, among staphylococci. © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.