Genetic diversity among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates carrying the mecC gene in Belgium

Objectives A mecA homologue gene, named mecC , has been reported in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from humans and from diverse animal species. We investigated the proportion, and the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, of mecC -carrying MRSA recovered from humans in Belgium. Methods A total of 4869 S. aureus isolates, collected by the National Reference Centre from 2003 to 2012, were retrospectively analysed for the presence of mecC . The mecC -carrying MRSA isolates were tested for phenotypic resistance and the presence of toxin genes. Genotyping was perfor... Mehr ...