Figure 5.

Relative expression of mecA gene in S. epidermidis strains with different types of SCCmec. Strains were treated with subinhibitory concentrations of EO from S. sclarea for 30 min. Using the 2^−ΔΔCt method, the data are presented as the fold change in gene expression normalized to an endogenous reference gene (GAPDH) and relative to the untreated control (value 1). Values represent the mean ± SD for three independent experiments. ^∗ P < 0.05. Different letters signify statistical differences between values (P < 0.05).