Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
Published on: May 8, 2013
Potent in vitro bactericidal activity of polymyxin B against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
1Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
Eradication of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carried by inpatients or healthy hospital personnel by topical use of antibiotics is an important step for preventing outbreak of MRSA nosocomial infection. In the screening of the antibiotic best suited for this purpose, we have found that polymyxin B, a commonly used antibiotic for gram-negative infection, had an unexpected strong cytokilling activity towards MRSA clinical strains, which was more potent than that of vancomycin or gentamicin. The data suggested that polymyxin B could be an antibiotic of choice in the treatment of topical carriage of or infection caused by MRSA.
Related Concept Videos
Antimicrobial Effectiveness
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis
Inhibitors of Bacterial Protein Synthesis
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

