Comparative sensitivity to antibiotics and biocides of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from Saudi Arabia and Great Britain

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated in Saudi Arabia and Great Britain were examined for susceptibility to antibiotics and biocides. The strains differed in their sensitivity patterns. None of the Saudi strains showed resistance to propamidine isethionate, but most of the British gentamicin methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus (GMRSA) strains were highly resistant to this compound and to some other nucleic acid-binding (NAB) compounds. Both groups showed a low level of resistance towards quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), but resistance to these compounds was not associated with resistance to gentamicin in the Saudi strains. The aminoglycoside-resistant determinants were non-conjugative in these strains. Natural MRSA strains were good recipients for pWG613, but transferred this plasmid in reciprocal crosses at significantly lower rates.     

Resistance to gentamicin and related aminoglycosides in Staphylococcus aureus isolated in Brazil

Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus obtained from a Brazilian university hospital were characterized in relation to resistance to gentamicin and related aminoglycosides. Thirty-six isolates were susceptible to methicillin (MSSA) and 14 were resistant (MRSA). All isolates were sensitive to nucleic acid-binding compounds. All MRSA isolates and one MSSA isolate were demonstrated to be resistant to gentamicin and were coincidentally resistant to amikacin, kanamycin, neomycin and tobramycin. Among the gentamicin sensitive MSSA isolates, five isolates were found to be resistant only to kanamycin/neomycin. The resistance to gentamicin (and related aminoglycosides: kanamycin and tobramycin) must be due to AAC(6')-APH(2") activity. As these isolates also showed resistance to neomycin, they must carry an additional genetic element, probably the one responsible for APH(3')III activity, which accounts for the high level of resistance to kanamycin and to amikacin. The resistance to kanamycin/neomycin in the gentamicin sensitive isolates could not be attributed to the AAD(4')(4") activity because of the tobramycin sensitivity, and so could be ascribed to the APH(3')III activity. Curing and transfer experiments, as well as electrophoresis procedures, indicate that gentamicin resistance in Staph. aureus strains here studied has, characteristically, chromosomal localization.     

Sensitivity of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains to some antibiotics, antiseptics and disinfectants

The effects of antibiotics, antiseptics and disinfectants against some methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) Staphylococcus aureus strains have been studied. The MRSA and MSSA strains were equally sensitive to phenols, esters of para(4)-hydroxybenzoic acid and chlorhexidine but MRSA strains were slightly more resistant to quaternary ammonium compounds and considerably more so to dibromopropamidine isothionate. Some MRSA strains were also resistant to phenylmercuric nitrate (but not another organomercurial, thiomersal), mercuric chloride and cadmium chloride. All MRSA strains produced beta-lactamase. Strains from the Royal Free Hospital, London were highly resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics, erythromycin, trimethoprim and tetracyclines but were sensitive to other antibiotics. One strain from the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff was resistant to gentamicin but sensitive to tetracycline and trimethoprim.     

Sensitivity of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains to some antibiotics, antiseptics and disinfectants

The effects of antibiotics, antiseptics and disinfectants against some methicillin resistant (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) Staphylococcus aureus strains have been studied. The MRSA and MSSA strains were equally sensitive to phenols, esters of para(4)-hydroxybenzoit acid and chlorhexidine but MRSA strains were slightly more resistant to quaternary ammonium compounds and considerably more so to dibromopropamidine isothionate. Some MRSA strains were also resistant to phenylmercuric nitrate (but not another organomercurial, thiomersal), mercuric chloride and cadmium chloride. All MRSA strains produced β-lactamase. Strains from the Royal Free Hospital, London were highly resistant to β-lactam antibiotics, erythromycin, trimethoprim and tetracyctines but were sensitive to other antibiotics. One strain from the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff was resistant to gentamicin but sensitive to tetracycline and trimethoprim.     

Susceptibility to selected chemotherapeutics of Staphylococcus aureus strains resistant to methycyline isolated from clinical materials in the years 1991-1992 and 1997

The susceptibility to selected chemotherapeutic agents was determined in 100 strains of Staphylococcus aureus methicillin-resistant (MRSA) isolated from clinical materials in 1991-1992 (50 strains) and in 1997 (50 strains). Two methods were used for the determination: disc method and antibiotic dilution in agar. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for vancomycin, teicoplanin, furazolidone, nitrofurantoin, ofloxacin, gentamicin, netilmicin and trimethoprim. The concentrations of the chemotherapeutics in the substrate ranged from 0.125 to 512 mg/l. The obtained results served for drawing of the following conclusions: all studied MRSA strains isolated in 1991-1992 and in 1997 were sensitive to glycopeptide antibiotics: vancomycin and teicoplanin, to nitrofurans: nitrofurantoin and furazolidone, and to fusidic acid. MRSA strains isolated in 1991-1992 were sensitive to ofloxacin, but in 1997 about 80% of the strains were resistant to that antibiotic, and this resistance was noted in S. aureus strains with homogeneous resistance to methicillin. Increasing frequency of resistance to mupirocin was found, in 1991-1992 4% of the strains were resistant, and in 1997 the resistance of MRSA to that antibiotic was found in 12%. No changes occurred in the sensitivity of staphylococci to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (cotrimoxazole). About 94% of strains in 1991-1992 and 1997 were sensitive to that drug. The sensitivity to cotrimoxazole is connected with one of its components (trimethoprim), with 94% of MRSA strains sensitive to it.     

Staphylococcus aureus nosocomial infections: the role of a rapid and low-cost characterization for the establishment of a surveillance system

Continuous surveillance on resistance patterns and characterization of Staphylococcus aureus represent simple and low-cost techniques to understand and evaluate the effectiveness of infection control and antimicrobial prescribing measures. In this study we analyzed the antibiotic susceptibility and trends for S. aureus strains collected from bacteraemia cases in a five year period. Between 2004 and 2008 we noted a progressive decrease in the number of S. aureus isolates compared to all pathogens from clinical specimens and S. aureus bloodstream infections (BSI) reflected a similar trend. In particular we analyzed 185 isolates from blood cultures: 89 isolates were MSSA and 96 isolates were MRSA. Molecular SCCmec typing of these strains showed an absolute prevalence of types I and II, whereas five spa types from 96 isolates were obtained. Resistance pattern analysis allowed us to place MRSA strains into 12 antibiotypes and the major antibiotype was resistant to penicillin, gentamicin, erythromycin, clindamycin and ciprofloxacin. The predominant antibiotype among the MSSA isolates was resistant only to penicillin. In addition, 19.1% of MSSA are susceptible to all antibiotics tested. We also found a close association between antibiotyping 1 and genotyping t002/SCCmecI of MRSA strains, suggesting a nosocomial scenario dominated by a few particular clones.     

两种临床标本中耐甲氧西林的金黄色葡萄球菌生物膜形成能力的检测与其耐药特征的研究

目的研究两种临床标本来源中耐甲氧西林的金黄色葡萄球菌（MRSA）生物膜形成能力和抗菌药物耐药率,并探讨二者的关系,为临床检测和治疗提供依据。方法收集温州医学院附属第二医院2009年1月至2010年12月的分离鉴定的MRSA共128株,其中脓液59株,痰液69株;采用刚果红平板检测多糖粘附素（PIA）,半定量粘附试验检测生物膜表型,PCR检测icaA基因结果用z。分割法进行统计分析。结果128株MRSA中生物膜阳性菌株为61株,其中脓液36株、痰液25株,脓液中检出生物膜的阳性率明显高于痰液中检出生物膜的阳性率（x2=7．382,P=0．005）。MRSA对所有B．内酰胺类抗生素全耐药,对万古霉素和利奈唑胺全敏感,痰液中MRSA对利福平、庆大霉素、环丙沙星的耐药率显著高于脓液中MRSA的耐药率（P〈0．05）,但是痰液中MRSA对克林霉素的耐药率要显著低于脓液中MRSA的耐药率（P〈0．05）。脓液中生物膜阳性菌株和生物膜阴性菌株对抗菌药物的耐药率差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,但是痰液中生物膜阳性菌株对克林霉素的耐药率高于生物膜阴性菌株的耐药率（P〈0．05）,对利福平的耐药率显著低于生物膜阴性菌株的耐药率（P〈0．05）。结论脓液中MRSA的生物膜检出率比痰液高,但是脓液中MRSA的耐药率比痰液中的耐药率要低,MRSA对抗菌药物的耐药谱和生物膜的形成并无直接的关系。     

MRSA中mecA及femB基因的检测与耐药相关性

研究femB、mecA基因在耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)中的表达与耐药的关系.运用PCR对MRSA的femB、mecA基因进行检测,MRSA耐药检测采用头孢西丁纸片法.40 株金黄色葡萄球菌(下简称金葡菌)通过头孢西丁纸片法,检出 30 株耐头孢西丁的菌株,通过PCR检测这 40 株金葡菌mecA基因,30 株MRSA全部为阳性, femB基因在 30 株MRSA中全部表达,而甲氧西林敏感的金黄色葡萄球菌(MSSA)的未表达.结果可见,PCR能快速准确地鉴定MRSA, mecA基因是MRSA的耐药基因,femB基因是MRSA的耐药相关基因.     

Incidence of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients treated at the Clinical Center of Skopje, Macedonia, with special attention to MRSA

The distribution of 3497 Staphylococcus aureus strains according to methicillin resistance, specimens, departmental profession and antibiotic resistance patterns was analysed. The strains were cultured from the patients of the Clinical Center of Skopje, Macedonia, between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2004. The majority of the isolates was obtained from suppurated wounds (28.5%), nares (21%), intratracheal tubes (13%) and blood cultures (11.8%). Overall 1100 (31.4%) of the isolates was methicillin-resistant with 1 microg oxacillin disc. Of these 35.5%, 30.5% and 10.4% were cultured from wounds, intratracheal tubes and blood samples, respectively. The prevalence of MRSA strains was 78.6%, 75%, 44.2% and 37.3% in specimens of ICU, Coma Center, General Surgery and Haematology patients. There were extremely big differences in the frequency of MRSA between departments with particular specialisation. The 2397 MSSA isolates belonged to practically one antibiotic resistance pattern characterised with penicillin resistance and susceptibility to other antistaphylococcal drugs. The 1100 MRSA isolates distributed to four antibiotic resistance patterns on the basis of their resistance to oxacillin, penicillin, amoxicillin+clavulanic acid, azithromycin, clindamycin, amikacin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim+sulphamethoxasole, vancomycin and teicoplanin. All the MRSA isolates were multidrug resistant but sensitive to glycopeptides.     

Solid-phase synthesis and antibacterial activity of hydroxycinnamic acid amides and analogues against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant S. aureus

A library of hydroxycinnamic acid amides (HCAAs) and analogues were synthesized using solid-phase synthesis technique. These compounds were screened for antibacterial against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (11 strains) and vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) (4 strains). Dihydrocaffeoyl analogues showed activity against VRSA which were better than the reference drugs, vancomycin and oxacillin. These compounds also exhibited antibacterial activity against MRSA, which were more potent than oxacillin.     

Molecular analysis and antimicrobial susceptibility of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in one of the hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences: high prevalence of sequence type 239 (ST239) clone

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), particularly the multidrug-resistant clones, is an increasing worldwide problem. The average incidence rate of MRSA in Tehran was found to be over 40%. A total of 140 MRSA isolates obtained from patients attending a teaching hospital in Tehran, from May 2009 to December 2009, were included in this study. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile of MRSA isolates was determined by the agar disk diffusion method. Molecular analysis of MRSA strains was accomplished by Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) and Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). Detection of mecA gene was used to confirm resistance to methicillin among the MRSA isolates. All the MRSA isolates were susceptible to chloramphenicol, teicoplanin, tigecycline and vancomycin. All MRSAisolates were resistant to oxacillin, whilst 139 strains showed resistance against ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, gentamicin, tetracycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. PFGE analysis of all the 140 MRSA isolates produced five distinct pulsotypes designated as pulsotypes A-E. Most of the isolates (n=132) were clustered into pulsotype A. The most prevalent sequence type (ST) was ST 239 (pulsotype A) found in 82% (37/45) of the tested isolates. The second most prevalent type was ST 1238 (pulsotypes B, C and D) found in 15% (7/45) of the isolates. The remaining type, ST 8 (pulsotype E) was found in a single isolate. The results of this study indicated that the MRSA clone ST 239 was a major clone in the selected university hospital of Tehran and that it was widely spread among the different wards as well as all the age groups of patients.     

Comparison of methods for the detection of methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus isolates from food products

AIMS: To compare several methods for detection of methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus isolates from food. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two hundred S. aureus isolates from food of animal origin were screened for methicillin resistance by a PCR assay specific for the mecA gene, an oxacillin agar screen test and a cefoxitin disk diffusion test. Six out of 200 strains (3%) were found to be methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by PCR. The oxacillin agar screen test detected only one of the MRSA isolates (sensitivity of 16.7%) and mischaracterized three additional strains as MRSA (specificity of 98.45%). None of the MRSA strains was detected by the cefoxitin test (sensitivity of 0%), while 15 methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) strains were misclassified as resistant (specificity of 92.3%). Fifteen MSSA strains displayed a beta-lactamase hyperproducer-like phenotype. The six MRSA (mecA-positive) strains resembled the characteristics of heteroresistant strains. CONCLUSIONS: As MRSA of animal origin may display atypical phenotypes, PCR appears to be more reliable for detection of methicillin resistance in animal strains. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The study stresses the need for implementing the methods of screening S. aureus from food of animal origin for methicillin resistance.     

Antimicrobial susceptibility and clonal relatedness between community- and hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from blood cultures

We compared the antimicrobial resistance and clonal relationships among the community-acquired (CA) and hospital-acquired (HA) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains that were isolated from blood cultures in a university hospital over a 4-year period. A total of 131 MRSA isolates, including 28 CA-MRSA and 103 HA-MRSA strains, were identified; antimicrobial susceptibility testing indicated that the CA-MRSA isolates were more susceptible to erythromycin (21% vs 6%; P=0.02), clindamycin (46% vs 12%; P=0.01), ciprofloxacin (43% vs 11%; P=0.01), and gentamicin (43% vs 6%; P=0.01) than were the HA-MRSA isolates. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing and antimicrobial resistance profiles separated the 20 CA-MRSA isolates into 14 and 10 different patterns, respectively, and the 53 HA-MRSA isolates were separated into 24 and 7 different patterns, respectively. Twenty-one (40%) of the 53 HA-MRSA isolates belonged to two predominant PFGE types, and most of them showed multi-drug resistant patterns. Four (20%) of the 20 CA-MRSA and 10 (19%) of the 53 HA-MRSA isolates fell into two common PFGE patterns, and each of them showed the same multi-drug resistant pattern. This study suggests that, although the CA-MRSA blood isolates showed diverse PFGE and antimicrobial resistance patterns, some of these isolates may have originated from the HA-MRSA strains.     

Antimicrobial resistance pattern of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the food industry

There is increasing concern about the impact on public health of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) associated with animal food products. MRSA remains a serious problem because of the high incidence and multidrug resistance of the strains, even for strains isolated from foods, food environments and food handlers. The objectives of this study are: (i) to evaluate the susceptibility of S. aureus strains isolated from food, food handlers and food-processing environments to 14 antibiotics currently used in veterinary and human therapy; (ii) to assess the presence of the mecA gene. A total of 1007 samples were collected from food, food handlers, and environments and were analyzed for the presence of S. aureus. S. aureus was present in 165 of the 1007 samples. A total of 157 isolates were methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and 8 isolates were MRSA. In particular, out of 8 MRSA strains detected, 4 strains harboured the mecA gene. All MRSA strains were resistant to at least one of the tested antibiotics and 6 strains demonstrated multi-resistance. Considering the high level of resistances in S. aureus and the isolation of MRSA strains, the surveillance of antimicrobial resistance and the spreading of this pathogen is of crucial importance in the food production chain. These data are useful in improving background data on antimicrobial resistance of S. aureus isolated from food, processing environments and food handlers, supporting the prudent use of antibiotics and the development of international control programs.     

Comparative analysis of antibiotic and antimicrobial biocide susceptibility data in clinical isolates of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa between 1989 and 2000

AIMS: To analyse population minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) data from clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa for changes over a 10-year period and to look for correlations between the antimicrobials tested. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data from the MIC study of 256 clinical isolates of Staph. aureus [169 methicillin-sensitive Staph. aureus (MSSA), 87 methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus (MRSA)] and 111 clinical isolates of Ps. aeruginosa against eight antimicrobial biocides and several clinically relevant antibiotics was analysed using anova, Spearman-Rho correlation and principal component analysis. Comparisons suggest that alterations in the mean susceptibility of Staph. aureus to antimicrobial biocides have occurred between 1989 and 2000, but that these changes were mirrored in MSSA and MRSA suggests that methicillin resistance has little to do with these changes. Between 1989 and 2000 a sub-population of MRSA has acquired a higher resistance to biocides, but this has not altered the antibiotic susceptibility of that group. In both Staph. aureus and Ps. aeruginosa several correlations (both positive and negative) between antibiotics and antimicrobial biocides were found. CONCLUSIONS: From the analyses of these clinical isolates it is very difficult to support a hypothesis that increased biocide resistance is a cause of increased antibiotic resistance either in Staph. aureus or in Ps. aeruginosa. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The observation of negative correlations between antibiotics and biocides may be a useful reason for the continued use of biocides promoting hygiene in the hospital environment.     

深圳市人民医院近五年临床分离金黄色葡萄球菌的 分布及耐药性分析

目的分析医院感染患者金黄色葡萄球菌的临床分布特征及耐药性变化,为临床治疗金黄色葡萄球菌感染提供依据。方法回顾性分析2012年1月至2016年12月我院从临床各类标本中分离获得的1 141株金黄色葡萄球菌,统计其在各类标本和病区中的分布特点,并用K-B法测定该菌对常用抗菌药物的敏感性。结果 5年中共分离出1 141株金黄色葡萄球菌,标本来源构成比最多的是伤口分泌物(43.3%)、呼吸道标本(24.0%)和血液标本(10.2%)。耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)共有339株,占29.7%。各年MRSA的检出数依次为53株(31.9%)、51株(26.0%)、82株(35.2%)、81株(30.3%)和72株(26.0%)。MRSA主要分离自神经外科(13.8%)、呼吸监护室(10.6%)、重症监护室(8.8%)和骨科(7.7%)。MRSA对抗菌药物的耐药性普遍高于MSSA,二者比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。未发现对万古霉素、利奈唑胺、替考拉宁耐药的金黄色葡萄球菌。结论 MRSA感染多发生于长期使用抗菌药物,有皮肤软组织伤口及侵入性操作的科室及患者。MRSA具有多重耐药性,应严格掌握抗菌药物的使用适应证;同时临床治疗应根据药物敏感性报告针对性地合理用药,以便及时有效地控制感染并防止耐药菌株的扩散。     

Susceptibility of antibiotic-resistant cocci to biocides

Biocide resistance has hitherto been a poorly studied subject, possibly due to the belief that such resistance was rare and clinically insignificant. Various recent findings, however, have underlined the importance of biocide resistance as a clinically relevant phenomenon. Outbreaks of biocide-resistant organisms in hospitals have been described and the genetic mechanism for resistance to quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) in Staphylococcus aureus has now been elucidated. Mycobacteria resistant to commonly used endoscope disinfectants are now commonly reported and have caused numerous adverse clinical events. Cross-resistance between triclosan and antituberculous drugs has been demonstrated in other strains of mycobacteria. This is related to a common mechanism of action. The work presented here describes studies into the biocide resistance of antibiotic-resistant cocci and attempts to create biocide-resistant strains in vitro. Strains of staphylococci (including methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus (MRSA)) and enterococci (including vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)) had their susceptibility to biocides assayed using broth macro dilution methods and resistant strains were selected by serial subculture on biocide-containing media. Mutants were created with relative ease; for instance, triclosan minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) increased from 0.002 to 3.12 mg l(-1). Some strains of MRSA which have intermediate resistance to glycopeptides were demonstrated to have decreased susceptibility to some biocides. Biocide resistance amongst enterococci was demonstrated although there was no clear correlation between biocide and antibiotic resistance. The exact mechanisms of resistance in these strains are still being studied but it is clear that biocide resistance is an important clinical phenomenon.     

mecA基因PCR扩增法检测耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌

目的 应用mecA基因PCR扩增法检测耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌（methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus,MRSA）。方法 临床分离的70株金黄色葡萄球菌,应用mecA基因PCR扩增法鉴定MRSA,并与苯唑西林纸片扩散法进行比较。结果 70株金黄色葡萄球菌用PCR扩增法和纸片扩散法有6株鉴定有差异,4株。mecA基因阳性而纸片扩散法鉴定为敏感,1株mecA基因阳性纸片扩散法鉴定为临界耐药,1株mecA基因阴性却表现为苯唑西林耐药,2种方法符合率为91．43％。结论 mecA基因PCR扩增法可以准确、快速判定MRSA,特别是对隐匿型或低水平耐药菌株的检出有重要的价值。     

High level oxacillin and vancomycin resistance and altered cell wall composition in Staphylococcus aureus carrying the staphylococcal mecA and the enterococcal vanA gene complex

Recently, for the first time in the history of this bacterial species, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carrying the enterococcal vanA gene complex and expressing high level resistance to vancomycin was identified in clinical specimens (CDC (2002) MMWR 51, 565-567). The purpose of our studies was to understand how vanA is expressed in the heterologous background of S. aureus and how it interacts with the mecA-based resistance mechanism, which is also present in these strains and is targeted on cell wall biosynthesis. The vanA-containing staphylococcal plasmid was transferred from the clinical vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) strain HIP11714 (CDC (2002) MMWR 51, 565-567) to the methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strain COL for which extensive genetic and biochemical information is available on staphylococcal cell wall biochemistry and drug resistance mechanisms. The transconjugant named COLVA showed high and homogeneous resistance to both oxacillin and vancomycin. COLVA grown in vancomycin-containing medium produced an abnormal peptidoglycan: all pentapeptides were replaced by tetrapeptides, and the peptidoglycan contained at least 22 novel muropeptide species that frequently showed a deficit or complete absence of pentaglycine branches. The UDP-MurNAc-pentapeptide, the major component of the cell wall precursor pool in vancomycin-sensitive cells was replaced by UDP-MurNAc-depsipeptide and UDP-MurNAc-tetrapeptide. Transposon inactivation of the beta-lactam resistance gene mecA caused complete loss of beta-lactam resistance but had no effect on the expression of vancomycin resistance. The two major antibiotic resistance mechanisms encoded by mecA and vanA residing in the same S. aureus appear to use different sets of enzymes for the assembly of cell walls.     

奶牛源MRSA肠毒素基因、耐药基因及分子分型分析

为了解宁夏地区奶牛源耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌的肠毒素基因和耐药基因分布及其分子流行病学特征,本研究通过聚合酶链式反应(polymerase chain reaction, PCR)技术对前期分离于宁夏地区的9株奶牛源耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA)进行了18种肠毒素基因和16种耐药基因的检测,同时采用脉冲场凝胶电泳(pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, PFGE)、正向重复序列(direct-repeat unit, dru)和辅助基因调节因子(accessory gene regulator, agr)分子分型技术对MRSA菌株进行分型研究。结果显示所有MRSA菌株均携带经典型肠毒素基因和新型肠毒素基因,共检出12种肠毒素基因,其中selk基因的检出率最高,达到了100%,未检出see、selj、selo、selp、ser和selu基因;11种耐药基因被检出,其中norA、gyrA、grlA和blaZ 4种基因的检出率均达到了100%,未检出tet (O)、optrA、Lin (A)、fexA和cfr基因。PFGE分型结果显示受试菌株间亲缘关系较近;dru分型检出dt11v和dt10a两种型,其中以dt11v(77.8%, 7/9)为主;agr分型主要为agr-Ⅰ型(88.9%, 8/9),agr-Ⅱ型仅有1株。研究表明宁夏地区奶牛源耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)中的肠毒素基因和耐药基因分布广泛,菌株间亲缘关系较近,agr-Ⅰ-dt11v为MRSA菌株中的流行基因型。这为以后宁夏地区奶牛源MRSA的产毒性、耐药性和分子流行病学特征的进一步研究提供理论依据。