Whole genome sequencing of MRSA strains 43300, USA100, USA300, and COL

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) encodes a plethora of virulence factors, making it a deadly human pathogen. In order to more fully examine the sequence similarities and differences among clinically relevant strains of MRSA, we performed whole genome sequencing on four different strains. This included the laboratory reference strain derived from HA-MRSA, ATCC 43300, the most common HA-MRSA strain in our country, USA100, a hypervirulent community acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) strain, USA300, and a clinical HA-MRSA isolate, COL.