Animal-derived MRSA genomes were interrogated for the presence of host-specific genetic markers (staphylokinase gene [scn], chemotaxis-inhibiting proteins gene [chp], staphylococcal complement inhibitor gene [sak], enterotoxin A gene [sea], and Von Willebrand Factor binding protein gene [vwb]).
The ST398 MRSA isolate carries a unique pathogenicity island which encodes homologues of two excreted virulence factors; staphylococcal complement inhibitor (SCIN) and von Willebrand factor-binding protein (vWbp).