2.7. Rep‐PCR (DiversiLab) genetic typing system

Staphylococcus aureus strains were cultured on blood agar for 24 hr at 35°C. Genomic DNA was extracted as described above, and the DNA was diluted of 35 ng/μg. Rep‐PCR was performed using the DiversiLab Staphylococcus kit (Bacterial BarCodes, Inc., Houston, TX, USA) accordance with the manufacturer's product insert. PCR was performed on a gradient using the following parameters: 94°C for 2 min and then 35 cycles of amplification (94°C for 30 s, 45°C for 30 s, and 70°C for 90 s), with 70°C for 3 min. Analysis of rep‐PCR products was implemented using the DiversiLab((bioMérieux, Marcy L'Etoile, France) in which the amplified fragments detected using a microfluidics Labchip with the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer (Agilent Technologies, Palo Alto, CA, USA). The DNA fingerprint patterns were automatically downloaded onto a secure laboratory‐designated DiversiLab program. Agreement between methods was assessed at different rep‐PCR SI cutoffs, including 80%, 85%, and 90%, as generated by the DiversiLab software, and the relatedness was determined by cluster analysis according to the guidelines provided by the manufacturer.