PREVALENCE AND CHROMOSOMAL MAP LOCATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS ADHESIN GENES

Using genomic DNA from 25 unrelated strains and probes specific for ea ch gene, we assessed the prevalence of the Staphylococcus aureus (Sn) adhesion genes cna, fnbA, fnbB, fib, clfA, fbpA, ebpS and map. All 25 strains encoded fib, clfA, ebpS, map and at least one of the fnb genes . fpbA and coa appeared to be allelic variants of the same gene with t he fbpA variant being present in only four of 25 isolates. cna was pre sent in 10 of 25 strains. Using Southern blot analysis of SmaI-digeste d genomic DNA resolved by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, the adhesi on genes were mapped to SmaI fragments A (ebpS), B (fib and clfA), C ( fnbA/fnbB), E (fbpA), F (map) and G (cna). Despite variations in SmaI restriction profiles, co-localization of adhesin genes with genes know n to map to specific SmaI fragments in the Sa 8325-4 chromosome strain s suggests that the chromosomal location of each adhesin gene is conse rved. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.