Plasmid-linked resistance to inorganic salts in Staphylococcus aureus
The penicillinase plasmids, a series of extrachromosomal resistance factors in Staphylococcus aureus, were found to carry determinants of resistance to a series of inorganic ions as well as resistance to penicillin and, in some cases, erythromycin. Most of the ions involved were inhibitory but not lethal to the bacteria; the resistance markers conferred an increase in resistance by comparison with susceptible organisms of between 3- and 100-fold, depending on the ion involved. Separate genetic loci for resistance to arsenate, arsenite, lead, cadmium, mercuric, and bismuth ions were demonstrated. Resistance to antimony and resistance to zinc were also found but were not separated genetically from resistance to arsenite and cadmium, respectively. The ion resistance markers appeared to form a cluster on the plasmid, with no other known marker within it. Naturally occurring plasmids were observed that lacked one or more of these ion resistance markers, as well as penicillinase-negative strains that were resistant to one or more of the ions. 12 references, 3 figures, 7 tables.
- Research Organization:
- Public Health Research Institute of the City of New York, Inc., NY
- OSTI ID:
- 5553648
- Journal Information:
- J. Bacteriol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Bacteriol.; (United States) Vol. 95; ISSN JOBAA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANTI-INFECTIVE AGENTS
ANTIBIOTICS
ANTIMONY
ARSENATES
ARSENIC COMPOUNDS
BACTERIA
BISMUTH
CADMIUM
CELL CONSTITUENTS
DRUGS
ELEMENTS
ERYTHROMYCIN
LEAD
MERCURY
METALS
MICROORGANISMS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PENICILLIN
PLASMIDS
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
STAPHYLOCOCCUS
TOLERANCE
ZINC