[The enzyme penicillinase and plasmid penicillinase in Staphylococcus aureus strains]

Penicillinase enzyme activities and resistance to some heavy metal ions in 25 S. aureus strains isolated in various hospitals in Ankara were investigated. We also tried to find out whether the controlling genes for penicillinase activity were on the plasmids or not. By the assays that were performed, this enzyme was detected in 22 out of 25 S. aureus strains. All of the strains were found to be resistant to mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb), but only 5 of them were sensitive to cadmium (Cd). We were not able to determine the source of the penicillinase in all strains of staphylococci.