Molecular characterisation of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from two ceftobiprole Phase 3 complicated skin and skin-structure infection clinical trials.

Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from two worldwide ceftobiprole Phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of complicated skin and skin-structure infections were characterised by clonality, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type and the presence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL). PVL was predominantly found in US isolates (196/231 vs. 13/110 non-US isolates). SCCmec type IV was the most common (253/329) owing to the predominance of clone USA300 in isolates from the USA (197/226). In Europe, SCCmec type III was the most prevalent (30/74). Ceftobiprole minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranged from 0.25 microg/mL to 4 microg/mL, with MICs <or= 2 microg/mL for 99.7% of isolates, regardless of SCCmec or clone type.