3.3. PCR Identification
A multiplex PCR reaction was used to identify the isolated suspected S. aureus by using specific primers for S. aureus and MRSA to amplify a 108 bp [45] and a 312 bp [12] fragments respectively. The multiplex PCR was performed as described previously [16]. Isolates showing resistance to cefoxitin and/or oxacillin were subjected to PCR confirmation using a second set of MRSA primers that amplify a 533 bp mecA fragment [46] and two other variant MRSA mecA primer sets (also known as mecC) that amplify 356 bp [35] and 1800 bp [36] fragments to confirm the MRSA phenotype.