Correlation between Sau1 Restriction and Modification Complex Type and Coagulase Serotype or SCCmec Type of Staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT

Staphylococcus aureus coagulase serotype I to VIII isolated from clinical samples could be classified into two groups, methicillin-sensitive S. aurues (MSSA) and methicilln-resistant S. aurues (MRSA), by antibiotics susceptibility and existence of mecA which is a gene related with methicillin resistance. Coagulase serotype I, VI, and VIII were MSSA which showed different antimicrobial susceptibility. Coagluase serotype II-V and VII were MRSA in which mecA and SCCmec were detected. To analyze Sau1 restriction and modification (R-M) complex types by coagulase type and SCCmec type, sau1hsdR, sau1hsdM and sau1hsdS genes involved in Sau1 R-M complex were detected by PCR, we found five complex types such as M1, R2M2, R2M2, R2M2S1, and R2M2S2. Coagulase serotype I, VI, and VIII of MSSA were M1, R2M2 and R2M2, respectively. SCCmec type II and coagulase serotype II, SCCmec type III and coagulase serotype III, SCCmec type IV and coagulase serotype V, and SCCmec type IV and coagulase serotype IV, VII of MRSA were Sau1 R-M complex type R2M2S1, R2M2, R2M2, and R2M2S2, respectively. Taken together, correlation between Sau1 R-M complex types and coagulase or SCCmec types of S. aureus was found.