Genetic diversity of Staphylococcus aureus strains that colonize nose mucous membrane of children living in a large industrial city

AIM: Study of genetic diversity of Staphylococcus aureus strains that colonize nose mucous membrane of children living in an ecologically unfavorable district of Krasnoyarsk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 S.aureus strains isolated from mucous membrane of anterior part of nose of children were genotyped by RAPD-PCR (random ampliphied polymorphic DNA) with an oligonucleotide primer (10 Sh1 nucleotide). RESULTS: Presence of 6 genotypes, with 3 of those including 3 and more strains, was detected among the studied strains. The extent of genetic similarity between genotype 1 and 2 was established at 85%. CONCLUSION: 20 of 63 (31.7%) of examined students were resident carriers of S. aureus. 3 main genotypes of S. aureus that circulate in students were detected by RAPD-PCR. This confirms the necessity to use RAPD-PCR method for timely evaluation of epidemic situation in organized groups of children.