Strategies of adaptation of Staphylococcus epidermidis to hospital and community: amplification and diversification of SCCmec

Abstract

Our data suggest that the S. epidermidis population is composed of hospital-associated clonal types, community-associated clonal types and types that are able to survive in both environments. Moreover, adaptation to the hospital environment in S. epidermidis appears to promote an increase in the frequency and diversification of SCCmec.