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Comparison of genotypes of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus in Finland

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Abstract

The frequency of horizontal transfer of the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec to methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus is unknown. In order to gain more information regarding this frequency in Finland, the genotypes of 299 clinical methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus isolates were compared to representatives of 24 epidemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus genotypes. Sixty-eight percent of the methicillin-sensitive isolates had a genotype similar to eight of the epidemic methicillin-resistant strains. The remaining isolates (32%) showed 22 different genotypes. The results indicate that, in Finland, several methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus genotypes may have acquired the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec.

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Acknowledgements

We thank E. Siren, R. Scotford, M. Gustafsson, H. Husu and A. Soininen for technical support and T. Siljander and A. Vainio for critical comments. The Päivikki and Sakari Solhberg Foundation is thanked for financial support

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, National Public Health Institute, Mannerheimintie 166, 00300, Helsinki, Finland

    S. Ibrahem, S. Salmenlinna, A. Virolainen-Julkunen & J. Vuopio-Varkila

  2. Division of Clinical Microbiology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 3, P.O. Box 400, 00028 HUS, Helsinki, Finland

    A.-M. Kerttula, P. Kuusela & J. Vuopio-Varkila

  3. Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21, 00014, Helsinki, Finland

    S. Salmenlinna, P. Kuusela & J. Vuopio-Varkila

Authors
  1. S. Ibrahem
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  2. S. Salmenlinna
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  3. A.-M. Kerttula
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  4. A. Virolainen-Julkunen
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  5. P. Kuusela
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  6. J. Vuopio-Varkila
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Vuopio-Varkila.

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Ibrahem, S., Salmenlinna, S., Kerttula, AM. et al. Comparison of genotypes of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus in Finland. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 24, 325–328 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-005-1328-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-005-1328-4

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