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Plasmid-mediated chloramphenicol resistance in Staphylococcus hyicus
S Schwarz1, M Cardoso, H Blobel
1Institut für Bakteriologie, Immunologie der Justus-Liebig Universität Giessen, FRG.
Journal of General Microbiology
|December 1, 1989
Summary
A small plasmid conferring chloramphenicol resistance was found in Staphylococcus hyicus. This plasmid, pSC2, was characterized using molecular techniques, confirming its role in resistance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Staphylococcus hyicus can harbor mobile genetic elements.
- Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern in veterinary and human medicine.
- Plasmids are common vectors for antibiotic resistance genes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize plasmids in Staphylococcus hyicus strains.
- To determine if plasmids are responsible for chloramphenicol resistance.
- To present a preliminary restriction map of a novel plasmid.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and purification of plasmid DNA.
- Restriction enzyme digestion and Southern-blot hybridization.
- Bacterial conjugation and transformation experiments.
- Enzyme assays and SDS-PAGE for protein analysis.
Main Results:
- A 3.95 kb plasmid, designated pSC2, was detected in three of 33 S. hyicus strains.
- pSC2 was indistinguishable across the positive strains via restriction analysis and hybridization.
- Curing and transformation experiments confirmed pSC2 confers chloramphenicol resistance.
- Enzyme assays and SDS-PAGE identified chloramphenicol acetyltransferase in pSC2 transformants.
Conclusions:
- A novel plasmid, pSC2, mediates chloramphenicol resistance in Staphylococcus hyicus.
- The characterized plasmid provides insight into antibiotic resistance mechanisms in this species.
- Further studies are warranted to understand the prevalence and transferability of pSC2.