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Abstract:
The genetic structure of Staphylococcus aureus populations sampled from diverse regions of the globe have been the
subject of numerous investigations. Here we describe the structure of S. aureus populations collected from the Southwest
Pacific. Multi-locus sequence typing was performed on 467 isolates obtained from people with nasal colonization or
bacteremia in Auckland (NZ), and patients predominantly affected by skin and soft tissue infection in Samoa, Fiji and Tonga.
The predominant sequence types (STs) varied between Auckland (ST5), Fiji (ST30), and Samoa (ST1), however, the overall
genetic diversity within each region did not differ significantly between locations. Divergent Clonal Complex 75 (CC75)
strains were isolated in Auckland and Fiji. When diversity of the Southwest Pacific populations was compared with those
previously described from Asia, Europe, North America and Africa no significant differences were detected. With the
exception of CC75 strains, the global collection of S. aureus encompasses relatively little diversity, with novel STs arising
locally from a small number of widespread lineages.
