Sequential evolution of virulence and resistance during clonal spread of community-acquired methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>.

ABSTRACT: The past two decades have witnessed an alarming expansion of staphylococcal disease caused by community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA). The factors underlying the epidemic expansion of CA-MRSA lineages such as USA300, the predominant CA-MRSA clone in the United States, are largely unknown. Previously described virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes that promote the dissemination of CA-MRSA are carried by mobile genetic elements, including phages and plasmids. Here, we used high-resolution genomics and experimental infections to characterize the evolution of a USA300 variant plaguing a patient population at increased risk of infection to understand the mechanisms underlying the emergence of genetic elements that facilitate clonal spread of the pa

SUBMITTER: Copin R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6358666 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature