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Resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics in Streptococcus faecium
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
|August 1, 1982
Summary
Clinical Streptococcus faecium strains resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics became hypersusceptible after novobiocin treatment. This hypersusceptibility is linked to altered cell membrane proteins, not penicillin-binding proteins.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Antibiotic Resistance
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Clinical isolates of Streptococcus faecium commonly exhibit resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics.
- Understanding the mechanisms behind antibiotic resistance is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cause of hypersusceptibility to beta-lactam antibiotics in Streptococcus faecium strains.
- To identify potential alterations in cellular components responsible for changes in antibiotic susceptibility.
Main Methods:
- Derivation of hypersusceptible strains from resistant isolates through novobiocin treatment.
- Assessment of beta-lactam susceptibility and penicillin-binding protein affinities.
- Analysis of cell membrane protein profiles using isolated cell membranes.
Main Results:
- Novobiocin treatment induced hypersusceptibility to beta-lactams in selected Streptococcus faecium strains.
- No significant alterations in penicillin-binding protein affinities were observed.
- Resistant strains showed differences in cell membrane protein composition compared to susceptible strains, with two protein bands absent or diminished in susceptible strains.
Conclusions:
- Hypersusceptibility to beta-lactam antibiotics in these Streptococcus faecium strains is likely due to alterations in specific cell membrane proteins.
- These altered proteins are distinct from penicillin-binding proteins, suggesting a novel mechanism of beta-lactam hypersusceptibility.