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Predominance of capsular polysaccharide type 5 among oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

J M Fournier1, A Bouvet, A Boutonnier

  • 1Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|October 1, 1987
PubMed

Insights

Staphylococcus aureus capsular types 5 and 8 show different oxacillin resistance levels. Type 5 strains are more resistant, suggesting capsular typing can guide antibiotic choices for Staphylococcus aureus infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Pharmacy

Background:

  • Staphylococcus aureus is a significant human pathogen.
  • Antibiotic resistance in S. aureus, particularly to oxacillin, is a major clinical concern.
  • Capsular polysaccharides (CPs) are key virulence factors influencing bacterial behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between Staphylococcus aureus capsular polysaccharide types 5 and 8 and oxacillin resistance.
  • To determine if capsular typing can inform antibiotic selection for S. aureus infections.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 406 clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from six French hospitals.
  • Classification of isolates into capsular polysaccharide types (type 5, type 8, and nontypeable).
  • Determination of oxacillin resistance prevalence within each capsular type group.

Main Results:

  • A significantly higher proportion of type 5 isolates (48%) were resistant to oxacillin compared to type 8 isolates (5%).
  • Nontypeable isolates also showed low oxacillin resistance (7%).
  • The prevalence of oxacillin resistance varied markedly between capsular types.

Conclusions:

  • Capsular polysaccharide type is strongly correlated with oxacillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus.
  • Type 5 S. aureus exhibits a higher rate of oxacillin resistance than type 8.
  • Capsular typing of S. aureus clinical isolates may aid in selecting appropriate first-line antibiotic therapy.

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