Relationship of Staphylococcal isolates in a Moroccan hospital by comparing phenotypical and genotypical tests

The relationship of Staphylococcus isolates was determined among a collection of 26 clinical strains at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rabat. These isolates originated principally from blood culture and wounds. In order to affirm the clonal origins of these isolates, six phenotype (biotype, antibiotype, serotype, phage type), and genotype (random amplified polymorphic DNA, pulsed field gel electrophoresis) methods were used. Biotyping, antibiotyping, phage and serotyping were generally not sufficient while many isolates remained nonphage typable. Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis used in epidemiological typing seemed suitable for S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus. However, rigorous standardization will be needed to assure reliable results. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis discriminated more efficiently than random amplification polymorphic DNA analysis. This study attests to the suitability of two or more methods in combination for typing Staphylococcus isolates. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.