Complete genome sequence of Staphylococcus aureus T0131, an ST239-MRSASCCmec type III clone isolated in

We report here the complete genome sequence of Staphylococcus aureus T0131, which is a multiresistant clinical isolate recovered in China and the first sequenced epidemic ST239-MRSA-SCCmec type III strain obtained in Asia. Comparison with two published genomes of ST239 reveals the polymorphism among strains of this type from different continents. Staphylococcus aureus is a ubiquitous bacterial pathogen and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The epidemiology of infections is influenced by rapid and wide-spread emergence of multidrug-resistant methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). ST239-MRSA-SCCmec type III is consid-ered to be an epidemic strain of hospital-associated MRSA and is prevalent all over the world (2, 8, 10). S. aureus strain T0131, an ST239-MRSA-SCCmecIII isolate, was recovered from an 87-year-old patient in 2006. Whole-genome sequencing of S. aureus strain T0131 was performed with a combined strategy of 454 sequencing (11