RESUMEN
To investigate the clonal diversity of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated at Joäo Pessoa, state of Paraíba, Brazil, digested genomic DNA were studied by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) in nine methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA) and three methicillin-sensitive strains (MSSA), selected among 67 isolates based on their antimicrobial susceptibility and epidemiology. The isolates were obtained between April and November 1992 from the Hospital of the Federal University of Paraíba, located in Joäo Pessoa. Two MRSA isolates from the Oswaldo Cruz Hospital, Säo Paulo, Brazil, including an epidemic strain previously detected from different hospitals at the country were used as control. Five different patterns, were demonstrated by MRSA isolated in Joäo Pessoa and these patterns were described in several epidemiologically unrelated hospitals in Säo Paulo. Our results suggest the interstate dissemination of a MRSA clone in Joäo Pessoa which is similar to that described in other cities of Brazil.