Update to the Multiplex PCR Strategy for Assignment of mec Element Types in Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCC mec ) typing is important for the identification and definition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clones, and for routine purposes, multiplex PCR assays are the most adequate for SCC mec typing. Here, we describe an update to the multiplex PCR strategy for SCC mec typing that we described in 2002 so that SCC mec types IV and V may be properly identified.