A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF MOLECULAR TYPING T ECHNIQUES IN METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS

Molecular typing methods of methicillin resistant S. aureus strains ar e numerous including some based on restriction fragment analysis of DN A and some based on analysis of PCR amplification products obtained us ing specific or non specific primers. Altogether these techniques have helped to clarified the epidemiology of infections caused by these st rains and to define wether two patients are infected or colonised by t he same strain. However, due to the high prevalence in France of infec tions caused by a Limited number of different strains, it is difficult to differentiate patients who have experienced cross contamination wi thin a ward from those who have acquired the same strain from an outsi de source.