Molecular Typing of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by Ribosomal DNA Spacer PCR (RS-PCR Ribotyping)

M. Soma Sekhar; T. Srinivasa Rao; N. Mohammad Sharif; M. Muralidhar

Authors

M. Soma Sekhar Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, NTR College of Veterinary Science, Gannavaram, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA
T. Srinivasa Rao Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology,NTR College of Veterinary Science, Gannavaram, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA
N. Mohammad Sharif Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA
M. Muralidhar Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, NTR College of Veterinary Science, Gannavaram, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA

Keywords:

Dogs, Dog Handlers, MRSA, RS-PCR Ribotyping, Veterinary Students

Abstract

The present study was delineated to assess the genetic diversity of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) of canine and human origin. A set of thirteen MRSA isolates obtained from dogs (4), their owners (6) and veterinary students (3) were subjected to Ribosomal DNA spacer PCR (RS-PCR-ribotyping) using primers specific for 16S-23S ribosomal spacer region. Polymorphism was observed with 13 ribotypes discriminated among the 13 MRSA isolates. Phylogenetic grouping was done using PHYLIP software to know the genetic relatedness of MRSA from different sources. Wide genetic diversity and little host specificity was observed among MRSA strains from dogs, dog owners and veterinary students. MRSA isolates from one of the owner and his associated pet dog were present within the same cluster indicating the possibility of zoonotic transmission. No genetic relatedness was observed between MRSA isolates from other dogs and humans. The present findings emphasize the utility of RS-PCR for the detection of polymorphism and to elucidate the genetic relatedness of MRSA strains.