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Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
14:04

Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria

Published on: May 8, 2013

Factors affecting methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus

B Berger-Bächi1

  • 1Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zürich, Gloriastr. 32, Postfach CH 8028 Zürich, Switzerland.

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
|September 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

Methicillin resistance in staphylococci is mainly caused by PBP2

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Methicillin resistance in staphylococci is a significant clinical concern.
  • The primary mechanism involves the production of an alternative penicillin-binding protein, PBP2', with low affinity for beta-lactam antibiotics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the factors influencing methicillin resistance levels in staphylococci.
  • To understand the relationship between PBP2' expression and observed resistance phenotypes.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of PBP2' expression regulation.
  • Investigation of strain-specific genetic elements potentially modulating resistance.

Main Results:

  • PBP2' expression is regulated by its own element and shares induction systems with beta-lactamases.
  • Methicillin resistance levels do not directly correlate with PBP2' production quantity.

Conclusions:

  • The genetic background of the staphylococcal strain plays a crucial role in determining high-level methicillin resistance.
  • Key genetic factors contributing to high-level methicillin resistance remain uncharacterized.

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