Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA

Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria arises when microorganisms evolve the ability to withstand drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This phenomenon, driven by genetic change and selection under antibiotic exposure, poses a profound threat to modern medicine. Mechanisms include drug-inactivating enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), efflux pumps that eject antibiotics, mutations altering antibiotic targets, decreased drug uptake, and acquisition...

Automated Microbial Diagnostics

Automated Microbial Diagnostics

Automated diagnostic analyzers have transformed clinical microbiology by providing rapid and reliable methods for pathogen identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Among these systems, the Vitek 2 is widely used because it automates the traditionally labor-intensive processes of microbial identification (ID) and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST), delivering standardized and timely results that are essential for effective patient care.Microbial Identification with ID CardsThe...

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...

Methods of Classification and Identification

Methods of Classification and Identification

Bacterial identification relies on a diverse array of techniques to classify and understand microorganisms, each tailored to uncover specific characteristics. Traditional morphological approaches, while still valuable, are limited for closely related or structurally simple organisms. Modern methods integrate biochemical, serological, genetic, and advanced molecular tools to achieve greater accuracy.Morphological and Biochemical TechniquesMorphological characteristics, such as cell shape and...

Differential Staining Technique

Differential Staining Technique

Differential staining is an essential microbiological technique that exploits variations in cell wall structures to classify and identify microorganisms. It facilitates the distinction of bacteria, aiding in diagnostic and research applications. Two of the most widely used differential staining methods are Gram staining and acid-fast staining, both of which rely on the chemical and structural differences in bacterial cell walls.Gram Staining TechniqueGram staining differentiates bacteria by...

Special Staining Techniques

Special Staining Techniques

Specialized staining techniques play a vital role in microbiology by enabling the visualization of specific bacterial structures that remain undetectable with standard microscopy methods. These techniques not only enhance the structural visualization of bacterial cells but also provide critical insights into their pathogenicity and classification. Additionally, they support diagnostic and research endeavors in microbiology by identifying key bacterial features.Capsule Staining for Virulence...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Development of a novel matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrum (MALDI-TOF-MS)-based typing method to identify meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clones.

The Journal of hospital infection·2015

Same author

Detection Methods for Glycopeptide-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus II : Cell Wall Analysis.

Methods in molecular medicine·2011

Same author

Nationwide surveillance of bacterial respiratory pathogens conducted by the Japanese Society of Chemotherapy in 2007: general view of the pathogens' antibacterial susceptibility.

Journal of infection and chemotherapy : official journal of the Japan Society of Chemotherapy·2009

Same author

The first nationwide surveillance of bacterial respiratory pathogens conducted by the Japanese Society of Chemotherapy. Part 1: a general view of antibacterial susceptibility.

Journal of infection and chemotherapy : official journal of the Japan Society of Chemotherapy·2008

Same author

Absolute calibration of imaging plate for GeV electrons.

The Review of scientific instruments·2008

Same author

Glycopeptide resistance in staphylococci.

Current opinion in infectious diseases·2006

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria

Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria

Published on: May 8, 2013

Detection Methods of Glycopeptide-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus I : Susceptibility Testing.

H Hanaki, K Hiramatsu

Methods in Molecular Medicine

|March 5, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Vancomycin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus can be heterogeneous, with subpopulations of cells exhibiting reduced susceptibility. These hetero-resistant strains may precede full vancomycin resistance and indicate a risk for treatment failure.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria

Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria

Published on: May 8, 2013

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Infectious Diseases
Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

Vancomycin is a critical antibiotic for treating Staphylococcus aureus infections.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant public health threat.
Emergence of vancomycin resistance in S. aureus is a growing concern.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the phenomenon of heterogeneous vancomycin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus.
To understand the implications of hetero-resistance for vancomycin treatment efficacy.
To identify potential risk factors for vancomycin therapeutic failure in MRSA infections.

Main Methods:

Population analysis to define heterogeneous resistance.
Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) testing.
Characterization of vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) and hetero-resistant strains (e.g., Mu3, Mu50).

Main Results:

The breakpoint for vancomycin resistance in S. aureus is an MIC > 8 μg/mL.
The first VRSA strain (Mu50) was isolated from a patient with treatment failure.
Hetero-resistant strains (e.g., Mu3) possess subpopulations with high-level vancomycin resistance (up to 9 μg/mL) despite overall susceptibility.
Standard MIC and disc susceptibility tests may not detect heteroresistance.

Conclusions:

Heterogeneous vancomycin resistance in S. aureus may represent an intermediate step towards full resistance.
Hetero-resistant VRSA strains are a potential risk factor for vancomycin treatment failure in MRSA infections.
Further investigation into the mechanisms and clinical significance of hetero-resistance is warranted.