Comparative genomic analysis for CC22 Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is known to produce a wide range of virulence factors, including Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1). CC22 MRSA carrying SCCmec type IV is known as EMRSA-15 clone, and its PVL or TSST-1 positive variants have been isolated in many countries. However, reports of PVL and TSST-1 positive CC22 variants are few. In Japan, several PVL positive S. aureus variant have been isolated. Recently, PVL and TSST-1 positive CC22 strains have been isolated, and are beginning to be disseminated in both communities and healthcare settings. In this project, we conducted molecular epidemiological analysis and whole genome comparative analysis to characterize PVL and TSST-1 positive CC22 MRSA strains.