Korean J Pediatr Infect Dis.  1996 Nov;3(2):133-138. 10.14776/kjpid.1996.3.2.133.

Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus by In Vitro Enzymatic Amplification of MecA and FemA Gene

• Park JE
• Kim TS
• Park SS
• Kim ER
• Kim IS
• Ann IY
• Kim YJ
• Kim JJ
• Kang SO
• Park HH

• KMID: 2440435
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14776/kjpid.1996.3.2.133

Abstract

PURPOSE
In the treatment of MRSA infection, rapid detection of MRSA is extremely important. The mecA gene codes the new drug resistant polypeptides called PBP2'which mediates the clinically relevant resistance to all beta-lactam antibiotics. The identical mecA gene has been found in coagulase-negative staphylococcus with the methicillin-resistant phenotype. On the other hand, the femA gene was absent from coagulase negative staphylococcus strains with the methicillin resistant phenotype. This study is aimed at early detection and definite diagnosis of MRSA.
METHODS
A total of 24 MRSA strains were studied. All strains were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility and purified DNA. We amplified both mecA and femA genes by PCR in 24 strains.
RESULTS
In MRSA all the 16 strains (100%) carried femA gene and 11 strains (68.7%) carried mecA gene. In contrast, in methicillin sensitive staphylococcus all the 8 strains (100%) carried femA and only 3 strains (37.5%) were detected mecA.
CONCLUSION
As results, there are difference in the phenotype and genotype of methicillin resistance by PCR of mecA and femA. Such disparities between methicillin resistance and the presence of mecA gene suggest the presellce of control gene of the meccA.

Keyword

mecA; femA; MRSA; PCR

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Coagulase
Diagnosis
DNA
Genotype
Hand
In Vitro Techniques*
Methicillin
Methicillin Resistance*
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus*
Peptides
Phenotype
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Staphylococcus
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Coagulase
DNA
Methicillin
Peptides