Evolution of MRSA during hospital transmission and intercontinental spread

S R Harris, Edward J Feil, M T G Holden, M A Quail, E K Nickerson, N Chantratita, S Gardete, A Tavares, N Day, J A Lindsay, J D Edgeworth, H de Lencastre, J Parkhill, S J Peacock, S D Bentley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

922 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Current methods for differentiating isolates of predominant lineages of pathogenic bacteria often do not provide sufficient resolution to define precise relationships. Here, we describe a high-throughput genomics approach that provides a high-resolution view of the epidemiology and microevolution of a dominant strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This approach reveals the global geographic structure within the lineage, its intercontinental transmission through four decades, and the potential to trace person-to-person transmission within a hospital environment. The ability to interrogate and resolve bacterial populations is applicable to a range of infectious diseases, as well as microbial ecology.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)469-474
Number of pages6
JournalScience
Volume327
Issue number5964
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Jan 2010

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