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Updated: Oct 8, 2026

Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus
10:39

Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus

Published on: March 10, 2017

[Interspecies lysogenization in staphylococci: transfer of bacteriophage converting enterotoxin A from a clinical

D Zabicka1, G Młynarczyk, M Łuczak

  • 1Katedra i Zakład Mikrobiologii Lekarskiej, Centrum Biostruktury Akademii Medycznej w Warszawie.

Medycyna Doswiadczalna I Mikrobiologia
|April 5, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Bacteriophages from Staphylococcus aureus can infect and transfer genes between different staphylococcal species, including S. intermedius. This demonstrates broad host range and interspecies gene transfer capabilities of these viruses.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Bacteriology

Context:

  • Staphylococcus aureus bacteriophages are important tools for studying bacterial genetics and phage-bacterial interactions.
  • Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are a diverse group of bacteria with varying clinical significance.
  • Understanding bacteriophage host range is crucial for phage therapy and molecular epidemiology.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the lytic activity and lysogenization potential of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin A converting bacteriophages against S. intermedius and other CoNS.
  • To determine the interspecies host range and gene transfer capabilities of these bacteriophages.
  • To assess the feasibility of using bacteriophages for genetic manipulation in S. intermedius.

Summary:

  • Eight enterotoxin A converting bacteriophages from S. aureus were tested against 50 S. intermedius strains and 77 CoNS strains from 14 species.
  • Six of the eight bacteriophages exhibited lytic activity against CoNS, with a broad spectrum observed across multiple species.
  • Successful lysogenization of an S. intermedius strain with bacteriophage phi 421-1 resulted in the acquisition of enterotoxin A and staphylokinase genes and loss of beta-haemolysin production.

Impact:

  • Demonstrates a broad lytic spectrum and interspecies host range for certain S. aureus bacteriophages.
  • Highlights the potential for interspecies bacteriophage transfer between S. aureus and S. intermedius.
  • Suggests S. aureus bacteriophages can be utilized for genetic modification of S. intermedius, impacting research and potential therapeutic applications.

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