Gene sequences included in the study.zip

Staphylococcus argenteus is a novel species within the Staphylococcus aureus complex and can cause serious bloodstream infections (BSIs) in humans, which have been mainly reported in adults, especially the elderly. In this study, we analyzed the molecular characterization of a strain of S. argenteus isolated from the peripheral vein blood sample of a seven-month-old female infant in Eastern China. We also compared the molecular characterization of S. argenteus from different sources worldwide. The S. argenteus isolates from the infant belonged to sequence type (ST)2250 and harbored 6 antibiotic-resistance genes and 53 virulence genes and was resistant to penicillin. Comparative analysis of genome sequences of S. argenteus worldwide found that ST2250 was more prevalent among strains of human origin, whereas ST5961 and ST1223 were more prevalent among strains of nonhuman origin. Antibiotic-resistance genes blaR1, blaI_of_Z, blaZ, fosB-Saur, tet(L), aph(3')-IIIa, mecA, and dfrG were more prevalent among the strains of human origin. Virulence genes lukF-PV, sak, sdrE, scn, sdrC, and sdrD were more prevalent among strains of human origin, whereas virulence genes seb, vWbp, clfB, esaC, essC, and esxB were more prevalent among the strains of nonhuman origin. The ST, antibiotic-resistance genes and virulence genes not exhibited a large difference between blood isolates and other human specimen isolates. In conclusion, S. argenteus ST2250 can cause serious BSIs in infants. S. argenteus of human origin has significant differences in ST and in antibiotic resistance and virulence genes from strains of nonhuman origin.