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Mupirocin resistance in coagulase-negative staphylococci
S Connolly1, W C Noble, I Phillips
1Division of Dermatology, United Medical Dental School, London.
Abstract:
High-level mupirocin resistance in coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis was investigated by transfer of the resistance determinants, usually in the form of a plasmid, to Staphylococcus aureus strains, cleavage of the plasmid by restriction endonuclease and hybridisation with a probe comprising a 4.05 kb EcoRI fragment of a plasmid from a S. aureus strain. In most instances the mupirocin-resistant staphylococci isolated from each patient were different according to the species, antibiogram and plasmid profile data. The mupirocin resistance determinant was carried on various plasmids as judged by EcoRI restriction fragment length polymorphisms. All hybridised at about 4 kb with the S. aureus probe.
Insights
High-level mupirocin resistance in coagulase-negative staphylococci from dialysis patients was linked to plasmids. These resistance genes were transferable and detected using a Staphylococcus aureus probe.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Clinical Science
Background:
- Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are significant pathogens in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.
- High-level mupirocin resistance in CoNS poses a treatment challenge, potentially leading to treatment failure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic basis of high-level mupirocin resistance in CoNS from peritoneal dialysis patients.
- To characterize the plasmids carrying mupirocin resistance determinants and their transferability.
Main Methods:
- Transfer of resistance determinants (plasmids) to Staphylococcus aureus recipient strains.
- Plasmid DNA cleavage using restriction endonucleases.
- Hybridization assays using a specific probe derived from a known mupirocin resistance plasmid.
Main Results:
- Mupirocin resistance determinants were found on various plasmids within CoNS isolates.
- Plasmid profiles and restriction fragment length polymorphisms indicated diversity in resistance-carrying plasmids.
- Resistance determinants were successfully transferred to S. aureus and hybridized with the probe at approximately 4 kb.
Conclusions:
- High-level mupirocin resistance in CoNS from peritoneal dialysis patients is often plasmid-mediated.
- The characterized plasmids exhibit variability but carry transferable resistance determinants.
- Understanding the genetic mechanisms of resistance is crucial for effective treatment strategies in peritoneal dialysis patients.