Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec in the Staphylococcus aureus isolated from retail meat

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains are among the most emerging causes of hospital- and community-acquired infections. Retail meat is considered as one of its sources. The present survey was performed to assess the distribution of Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) amongst MRSA isolates of retail meat. Methods: A total of 28 MRSA isolates of retail meat samples were assessed to distribute the SCCmec type. MRSA. Isolates were confirmed using the biochemical tests and cefoxitin and oxacillin susceptibility tests. PCR was used to detect SCCmec types amongst the MRSA isolates. Results: A total of 7 different SCCmec types were detected in the MRSA bacteria isolated from retail meat samples. SCCmec type V (46.4%) had the highest distribution amongst examined MRSA isolates, while SCCmec type I, IVb, and IVc (7.1%) had the lowest. There were no positive results for the SCCmec type II. Statistically, a significant difference was obtained between the source of MRSA isolation and SCCmec distribution (P <0.05). Conclusion: As most isolates harboured SCCmec types IV and V, they originated from the community and called communityassociated MRSA (CA-MRSA). Thus, the role of retail meat as a source of CA-MRSA was determined in this survey.