summarythis study determined the genetic background of virulence and resistance genes of mrsa st398 in austria . from 2004 up to 2008 a total of 41 human isolates of mrsa st398 were investigated for virulence and resistance gene patterns using dna microarray chip analysis . 
 highly similar virulence gene profiles were found in 29 ( 707% ) of the isolates but genes encoding panton 
 valentine leukocidin , enterotoxins , or toxic shock syndrome toxin were not detected . 
 genes conferring resistance to tetracycline and erythromycin - lincosamide were common as all but one of the isolates exhibited tetm and/or tetk , which are involved in tetracycline resistance , and 12 ( 299% ) were positive for ermc , conferring resistance to erythromycin / lincosamide . 
 splitstree analysis showed that 40 isolates were closely related . 
 changes in virulence and resistance gene patterns were minimal over the observed time period .