Extreme diversity and multiple SCC mec elements in coagulase-negative Staphylococcus found in the Clinic and Community in Beijing, China

Background Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are recognized as a large reservoir of staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) harboured by Staphylococcus aureus. However, data of SCCmec in CoNS are relatively absent particularly in China.