Application of Molecular Typing Methods to the Study of Medically Relevant Gram-Positive Cocci

Abstract

The development of molecular genotyping methods has been a landmark in the possibility of classifying microorganisms below the species level. The ability to differentiate efficiently related bacterial isolates is essential for the control of infectious diseases and has become a necessary technology for clinical microbiology laboratories. The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of the methods available for analyzing bacterial isolates, focusing on those methods employed for typing Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. Different molecular approaches have been used to better understand the epidemiology of these medically relevant gram-positive cocci.