Xiao N, et al. - Researchers investigated the clonal distribution as well as the virulence factors of community-associated Staphylococcus aureus (CA S. aureus) clinical isolates from purulent skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in Beijing, China. From SSTIs, 44 CA-S. aureus isolates were identified, including 9 methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates (20.4%) and 35 methicillin-susceptible S. aureus isolates (MSSA) (79.6%). In community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus, the dominant sequence types (STs) were ST22 (40.9%) and clonal complex 59 (CC59; 77.8%). They noted stronger biofilm-forming capability of all CC59 isolates vs ST22 clones. Significantly higher sensitivity to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim was observed among the poor biofilm producers among in MSSA subgroup. Findings thereby suggest the occurrence of the dominant epidemic clone PVL⁺ ST22 MSSA containing tst-1 in Beijing, indicating the replacement of a PVL⁺ ST398 clone, which was previously predominant in this district, by a new clone.