Transferable beta-lactamase. A new mechanism for in vitro penicillin resistance in Streptococcus faecalis.

B E Murray; B Mederski-Samaroj

doi:10.1172/JCI111042

First published September 1, 1983 - More info

Although enterococci are relatively resistant to penicillin, the mechanism of resistance is largely unknown and enzymatic inactivation does not play a role. In this study, an isolate of Streptococcus faecalis was found to have beta lactamase activity resulting in complete inactivation of penicillin. With a high inoculum, this strain was resistant to greater than 1,000 micrograms/ml of penicillin. Penicillin resistance and beta lactamase activity were transferred by conjugation at a high frequency to an enterococcal laboratory recipient strain together with two plasmids of molecular size 34 X 10(6) and 56 X 10(6), thus demonstrating the emergence of plasmid-mediated penicillin resistance in the genus Streptococcus.

Images.

Transferable beta-lactamase. A new mechanism for in vitro penicillin resistance in Streptococcus faecalis.

B E Murray and B Mederski-Samaroj

Article tools

Go to:

Transferable beta-lactamase. A new mechanism for in vitro penicillin resistance in Streptococcus faecalis.

B E Murray and B Mederski-Samaroj

Article tools

Go to:

Sign up for email alerts