Typing of SCCmec of MRSA clinical isolates.

ccr genes and mec gene complex were identified by multiplex PCRs [48]. All isolates were mecA positive. SCCmec types, I, II, and IV were assigned by the combination of types of ccr gene and mec gene complex. Abbreviations are as follows:1n.a., SCCmec type could not be assigned from the experiments;2Total, total number of isolates;3NT, non-typed, since DNA fragment was not amplified by PCR identifying either ccr genes or mec gene complex. ‘2+5’ in ccr type means that both type 2 and type 5 ccr were identified, indicating that 48 strains (25%) carry type II SCCmec and SCC carrying ccrC. ‘2+4’ in ccr type indicates that 2 strains (1%) carry type II or type VIII SCCmec. The combination of type 2 ccr and class C2 mec gene complex suggests that it might be a novel SCCmec element. Since it was out of scope of this paper, we classified it in the group of not assigned.