Mohd Nasir Mohd Desa

By Abdul Rahim Abdul Rachman, Zarizal Suhaili and Mohd Nasir Mohd Desa

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen and is frequently associated with the antimicrobial resistance. There has been horizontal gene transfer of Staphylococcus chromosome cassette mec (SCCmec) among the staphylococcal species that colonize a similar colonization niche, which eventually results in emergence of new variant with enhanced survival ability in terms of antimicrobial resistance and virulence level in S. aureus. Evolution and dissemination of SCCmec structure resulted in the emergence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) clones around the world covering hospital, community, and livestock settings. MRSA also has the ability to resist different antibiotic profiles known as multidrug-resistant S. aureus (MDR S. aureus).

Part of the book: The Rise of Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus

By Mazen M. Jamil Al-Obaidi, Zarizal Suhaili and Mohd Nasir Mohd Desa

Genotyping methods are vital epidemiological tools for discriminating different bacterial isolates within same species, which in turn provide useful data in tracing source of infection and disease management. There have been a revolutionary efforts in ways to distinguish between bacterial types and subtypes at molecular level utilizing DNA in the genomes. Notably, the growth of various DNA typing methods has provided innovative apparatuses for improved surveillance and outbreak investigation. Thus, early identification and genotyping are indispensable as resources for managing therapeutic treatment and the control of rapid expansion of clinically important bacteria. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been in a great attention due to its contagious nature and subjected to various typing analyses. Thus, in this chapter, we aimed to review the contribution of various genotyping methods of commonly used as well as those unique to staphylococci in understanding its epidemiology, infection and dissemination pattern, and to provide an impression of specific advantages and disadvantages of each tool.

Part of the book: Genotyping