LAUSR

OBJECTIVES Persistent colonization with Staphylococcus aureus is associated to higher risk of invasive infections. With increasing rates of colonization, especially with antibiotic-resistant strains, it may be useful to identify specific characteristics of colonization that confer greater infection risk. Therefore, whole-genome sequencing of a S. aureus strain isolated from a medical student identified as a persistent carrier in Cartagena, Colombia, was performed to better characterize the strain and to identify genetic components associated to virulence and antibiotic resistance. METHODS Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed for several antibiotics. Total genomic DNA was extracted and whole-genome sequencing was performed on the PacBio RS II sequencing platform. Whole-genome assembly was generated using PacBio SMRT Analysis version 2.3.0 and HGAP version 1.2 software. In silico analysis of the chromosomal and plasmid components of this strain was performed using tools from the Center for Genomic Epidemiology. RESULTS COL52-A5 was identified as a PVL(+)MRSA that carried SCCmecIVa and it was resistant to cefoxitin, erythromycin, clindamycin and tetracycline. The completely closed genome of COL52-A5 strain had 2,820,086 bp with a GC content of 32.84% and harbored 1 large plasmid, 2 active prophages, 5 antimicrobial resistance determinants and several virulence factors. The allelic profile was consistent with the sequence type ST923 (CC8).