Beta-lactamase production and antibiotic sensitivity pattern in community strains of Staphylococcus aureus

A study of 193 strains of Staphylococcus aureus with respect to beta-lactamase/penicillinase activity and antibiotic sensitivity pattern is reported. Eighty-eight strains were obtained from clinical material from patients treated by physicians in a suburban community. The remaining strains were obtained from healthy military recruits. In the clinical material nearly three out of four strains were beta-lactamase/penicillinase producing as compared to approximately 50% in the recruit material. Six strains were beta-lactamase positive and fully sensitive to penicillin, judged by the disc diffusion technique. Aspects of these findings are discussed.