Abstract
We describe the genetic and microbiological characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream isolates with agr dysfunction from a tertiary-care hospital in Korea. Of these, ST5-SCCmec type II-agr group II MRSA isolates, which are known to be prevalent in hospital-acquired infections in Korea, were the most abundant, because of the clonal spread of a specific agr-defective lineage. This finding suggests that the loss of agr function may confer a potential advantage in a hospital setting. Clonal spread of a specific defective-agr strain was not observed among community-associated MRSA or methicillin-susceptible S. aureus clones, regardless of community or hospital acquisition of infection. agr-defective clones, including ST5 and ST239 MRSA, were enriched for heteroresistant vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
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Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
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Clone Cells
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Cross Infection / drug therapy*
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Cross Infection / microbiology
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Humans
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Methicillin / pharmacology
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Methicillin / therapeutic use
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Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
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Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / genetics*
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Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
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Mutation*
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Republic of Korea
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Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy*
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Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
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Tertiary Care Centers
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Trans-Activators / genetics*
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Vancomycin / pharmacology
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Vancomycin / therapeutic use
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Vancomycin Resistance / drug effects
Substances
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Agr protein, Staphylococcus aureus
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Anti-Bacterial Agents
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Bacterial Proteins
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Trans-Activators
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Vancomycin
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Methicillin