Genomic analysis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain SO-1977 from Sudan.

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is known as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Investigation of the MRSA's virulence and resistance mechanisms is a continuing concern toward controlling such burdens through using high throughput whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and molecular diagnostic assays. The objective of the present study is to perform whole-genome sequencing of MRSA isolated from Sudan using Illumina Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) platform.

Results: The genome of MRSA strain SO-1977 consists of 2,827,644 bp with 32.8% G + C, 59 RNAs and 2629 predicted coding sequences (CDSs). The genome has 26 systems, one of which is the major class in the disease virulence and defence. A total of 83 genes were annotated to virulence disease and defence category some of these genes coding as functional proteins. Based on genome analysis, it is speculated that the SO-1977 strain has resistant genes to Teicoplanin, Fluoroquinolones, Quinolone, Cephamycins, Tetracycline, Acriflavin and Carbapenems. The results revealed that the SO-1977, strain isolated from Sudan has a wide range of antibiotic resistance compared to related strains.

Conclusion: The study reports for the first time the whole genome sequence of Sudan MRSA isolates. The release of the genome sequence of the strain SO-1977 will avail MRSA in public databases for further investigations on the evolution of resistant mechanism and dissemination of the -resistant genes of MRSA.