Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
12:18

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA

Published on: February 9, 2011

23.6K

Small Antimicrobial Resistance Plasmids in Livestock-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus CC398

Andrea Feßler1, Kristina Kadlec2, Yang Wang3

  • 1Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Centre for Infection Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|October 5, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Small plasmids in livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) ST398 carry key antimicrobial resistance genes. These small plasmids are frequently exchanged between LA-MRSA and other staphylococci, impacting resistance patterns.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) clonal complex 398 exhibits resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents.
  • Genetic elements like SCCmec cassettes, transposons, and plasmids contribute to antimicrobial resistance in LA-MRSA.
  • While large plasmids are common, small plasmids (<15 kb) also harbor specific resistance genes in LA-MRSA ST398.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and analyze small plasmids (<15 kb) in LA-MRSA ST398.
  • To focus on plasmids carrying specific antimicrobial resistance genes, including erm(C), erm(T), lnu(A), vga(A), vga(C), spd, apmA, and dfrK.
  • To compare these small plasmids with similar ones in other staphylococci.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on LA-MRSA ST398 and associated plasmids.
  • Detailed analysis of the genetic structure of small resistance plasmids.
  • Comparative analysis of plasmid structures across different staphylococcal species.

Main Results:

  • Small plasmids in LA-MRSA ST398 frequently carry single, and occasionally multiple, antimicrobial resistance genes.
  • Specific genes identified include those conferring resistance to macrolides, lincosamides, streptogramins, spectinomycin, apramycin, and trimethoprim.
  • Structural analysis revealed similarities between these small plasmids and those found in other staphylococci, including coagulase-negative staphylococci.

Conclusions:

  • Small plasmids play a significant role in carrying antimicrobial resistance genes in LA-MRSA ST398.
  • The structural similarity and observed exchange of these plasmids between LA-MRSA ST398 and other staphylococci highlight potential mechanisms for resistance dissemination.
Keywords:
LA-MRSAapmAcfrdfrKermlnu(A)spdvga

More Related Videos

Experimental Endocarditis Model of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus MRSA in Rat07:46

Experimental Endocarditis Model of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus MRSA in Rat

Published on: June 4, 2012

17.6K
Multiplex PCR Assay for Typing of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Mec Types I to V in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus09:03

Multiplex PCR Assay for Typing of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Mec Types I to V in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Published on: September 5, 2013

12.4K

Related Concept Videos

Resistivity01:22

Resistivity

When a voltage is applied to a conductor, an electrical field is generated, and charges in the conductor feel the force due to the electrical field. The current density that results depends on the electrical field and the properties of the material. In some materials, including metals at a given temperature, the current density is approximately proportional to the electrical field. In these cases, the current density can be modeled as:
4.6K
Resistance01:19

Resistance

When a current moves through any conductor, the conductor causes some level of difficulty for the current to flow. The measure of that difficulty is known as the resistance of the material and is represented by R. Every material has its own resistance. In the case of conductors, heat is emitted whenever a current passes through them. Resistance depends on the resistivity of the material. Resistivity is a characteristic of the material used to fabricate electrical components, whereas the...
6.0K
Equivalent Resistance01:16

Equivalent Resistance

In circuit analysis, situations often arise where resistors are neither in series nor parallel configurations. To tackle such scenarios, three-terminal equivalent networks like the wye (Y) (Figure 1 (a)) or tee (T) and delta (Δ) (Figure 1 (b)) or pi (π) networks come into play. These networks offer versatile solutions and are frequently encountered in various applications, including three-phase electrical systems, electrical filters, and matching networks.
985
Resistance and Conductance01:25

Resistance and Conductance

A conductor's DC resistance at a given temperature is influenced by its resistivity, length, and cross-sectional area. Resistivity is an inherent property of the conductor material, with annealed copper serving as the international standard for measurement. For instance, the resistivity of hard-drawn aluminum at 20 degrees Celsius is 61% of the standard conductivity of annealed copper.
Various factors impact the resistance of a conductor. Spiraling in stranded conductors increases their...
517
Rolling Resistance01:21

Rolling Resistance

When a solid cylinder rolls steadily on a rigid surface, the normal force applied by the surface on the cylinder is perpendicular to the tangent at the contact point. However, since no materials are entirely rigid, the surface's reaction to the cylinder involves a range of normal pressures.
For instance, imagine a hard cylinder rolling on a comparatively soft surface. The cylinder's weight compresses the surface beneath it. As the cylinder moves, the material in front of it slows down due to...
665
Vascular Resistance01:20

Vascular Resistance

Vascular resistance is a critical concept in understanding blood flow dynamics in the circulatory system. It refers to the resistance that blood encounters as it flows through the blood vessels. This resistance is a key factor in determining blood pressure and cardiac workload.
The primary determinants of vascular resistance are vessel diameter, blood viscosity, and vessel length. Among these, vessel diameter plays the most significant role due to the fourth power relationship described by...
11.0K