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[Characteristics of hospital strains of Staphylococcus]
Abstract:
Some properties of hospital staphylococcal strains isolated from the patients with purulent postnatal mastitis were studied. It was found that all the strains of the phage type 80.81 widely distributed in the obstetric hospitals were polylysogenic and polyresistant to antibiotics. The resistance markers in most of the isolates were located on the plasmids. Elimination of the plasmids carrying the antibiotics resistance markers resulted in a simultaneous change in the strain lysogenic spectrum while the phage type and fermentative properties, such as production of plasmocoagulase, DNAase and lecithinase did not change. The capacity for hemotoxin production was lost simultaneously with antibiotic resistance in 1 out of 17 cultures tested.
Insights
Hospital staphylococcal strains causing mastitis exhibit widespread antibiotic resistance linked to plasmids. Plasmid elimination altered lysogenic properties but not phage type or key enzymes.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Biology
Context:
- Focuses on Staphylococcus strains isolated from patients with purulent postnatal mastitis.
- Highlights the prevalence of phage type 80.81 in obstetric hospitals.
Purpose:
- To investigate the properties of hospital-acquired staphylococcal strains.
- To understand the role of plasmids in antibiotic resistance and other characteristics.
Summary:
- All studied Staphylococcus strains (phage type 80.81) were polylysogenic and polyresistant to antibiotics, with resistance markers often on plasmids.
- Eliminating plasmids carrying resistance markers altered the lysogenic spectrum but not phage type or enzyme production (plasmocoagulase, DNAase, lecithinase).
- One isolate lost hemotoxin production concurrently with antibiotic resistance.
Impact:
- Provides insights into the genetic basis of antibiotic resistance in hospital-associated Staphylococcus strains.
- Suggests that plasmids play a crucial role in both antibiotic resistance and lysogenic potential.
- Informs strategies for combating antibiotic-resistant infections in healthcare settings.