Structures of a highly variable cell-wall anchored protein-encoding the spj gene from ST8/SCCmecIVl community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA/J) isolated from 2003 onwards: An indicator of a strongly invasive pathotype.

The cell wall-anchored protein-encoding spj gene on staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec IVl (SCCmecIVl) was found to vary in size because of its 22- and 86-aa repeat domains. The 22-aa repeats are the more flexible of the two repeats, comprising three 11-aa units, and were classified into three groups with eleven types. The 11/22-aa repeats are longer in individuals with bullous impetigo, shorter in those with invasive disease and were absent in a fatal case, this last one having been rapidly diagnosed by PCR. IS431-flanking pUB110 (bleO, aadD) is present on SCCmecIVl at 90%. The bacterial surface has the spj product and a unique surface layer.