What is it about?
We analysed 395 staphylococcal strains from humans and dogs using PCR-RFLP of the pta gene. The method clearly distinguished S. aureus, S. intermedius and S. pseudintermedius based on their restriction patterns. Most importantly, all S. aureus strains belonging to phage type 187 showed a unique profile: their pta gene fragment was not cut by the MboI enzyme. This pattern separated them from other S. aureus isolates.
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Why is it important?
The findings show that phage type 187 represents a genetically distinct group within the S. aureus population. The pta-based PCR-RFLP method may therefore support strain differentiation and improve the characterization of staphylococci isolated from humans and animals.
Perspectives
We believe this study highlights the value of simple molecular methods for revealing meaningful differences between closely related bacterial strains. The distinctive profile of phage type 187 may also provide new insights into the diversity and evolution of S. aureus.
Prof Katarzyna Maria Garbacz
Gdanski Uniwersytet Medyczny
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Phage Type 187 as a Separate Subunit MboI Restriction Site Within the Staphylococcus aureus Species, Current Microbiology, January 2013, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/s00284-013-0319-4.
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