Skip Navigation
Skip to contents

Journal of Microbiology : Journal of Microbiology

OPEN ACCESS
SEARCH
Search
Advanced Search
mobile menu button

Articles

Page Path
HOME > J. Microbiol > Volume 51(2); 2013 > Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Prevalence of Amino Acid Changes in the yvqF, vraSR, graSR, and tcaRAB Genes from Vancomycin Intermediate Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Jae Il Yoo , Jung Wook Kim , Gi Su Kang , Hwa Su Kim , Jung Sik Yoo , Yeong Seon Lee
Journal of Microbiology 2013;51(2):160-165.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-013-3088-7
Published online: April 27, 2013
Division of Antimicrobial Resistance, Center for Infectious Diseases, Korea National Institute of Health, Osong 363-951, Republic of KoreaDivision of Antimicrobial Resistance, Center for Infectious Diseases, Korea National Institute of Health, Osong 363-951, Republic of Korea
Corresponding author:  Yeong Seon Lee , Tel: +82-43-719-8240, 
Received: 6 February 2013   • Accepted: 21 March 2013
prev next
  • 53 Views
  • 0 Download
  • 21 Crossref
  • 26 Scopus
Full Article

Abstract

Vancomycin intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) strains are increasingly prevalent in the hospital setting, and are of major concern in the treatment of methicillin-resistant S. aureus infections. Multiple mutations in vancomycinsusceptible S. aureus (VSSA) strains likely led to the emergence of VISA, and point mutations in the agr, orf1, yvqF, vraSR, graSR, and tcaRAB genes of VISA strains have been shown to contribute to glycopeptide resistance. Therefore, we investigated point mutations in these genes from 87 VISA and 27 VSSA clinical strains isolated from Korean hospitals. All strains were assigned an agr type (I, II, or III) on the basis of multiplex PCR, with the majority of VISA strains belonging to agr groups I and II. Sequencing revealed amino acid changes in vraS from VISA strains which were not present in the VSSA strains. The E59D substitution in the vraR gene occurred in 36.3% of VSSA/agrI and 92.7% of VISA/agrI strains, suggesting that this mutation associated with emergence of VISA/agrI strains. VISA strains were classified into 31 mutation patterns according to mutations in the yvqF, vraSR, graSR, and tcaRAB genes. In addition, the mutation patterns were correlated with agr and sequence type (ST). The most prevalent pattern included agr type I (ST 72) strains with E59D (vraR), L26F and T224I (graS), D148Q (graR), and L218P, R283H and G312D (tcaA) amino acid substitutions. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range of mutation pattern 5 toward oxacillin and imipenem was much lower than that of patterns 6 and 24. These results improve our understanding of emergence of VISA strains.

  • Cite this Article
    Cite this Article
    export Copy Download
    Close
    Download Citation
    Download a citation file in RIS format that can be imported by all major citation management software, including EndNote, ProCite, RefWorks, and Reference Manager.
    Format:
    • RIS — For EndNote, ProCite, RefWorks, and most other reference management software
    • BibTeX — For JabRef, BibDesk, and other BibTeX-specific software
    Include:
    • Citation for the content below
    Prevalence of Amino Acid Changes in the yvqF, vraSR, graSR, and tcaRAB Genes from Vancomycin Intermediate Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
    J. Microbiol. 2013;51(2):160-165.   Published online April 27, 2013
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-013-3088-7
    Close
Related articles
Journal of Microbiology : Journal of Microbiology
© The Microbiological Society of Korea.
TOP