Open AccessNovobiocin Resistance and Virulence of Strains of Staphylococcus Saprophyticus Isolated from Urine and Skin
Author(s) -
F. Namavar,
J. de Graaff,
C. De With,
D. M. Maclaren
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
journal of medical microbiology/journal of medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.91
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1473-5644
pISSN - 0022-2615
DOI - 10.1099/00222615-11-3-243
Subject(s) - staphylococcus saprophyticus , virulence , microbiology and biotechnology , novobiocin , biology , staphylococcus , coagulase , micrococcaceae , staphylococcus epidermidis , bacteria , staphylococcus aureus , antibacterial agent , antibiotics , biochemistry , gene , genetics
A method was developed to study virulence of coagulase-negative staphylococci. Our results showed that coagulase-negative staphylococci injected into adult mice by the intracerebral route did not give rise to lethal infections, whereas mice aged 2 days were much more susceptible. Novobiocin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus saprophyticus were more virulent than strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis. Strains of S. saprophyticus biotype 3 of Baird-Parker's classification varied in virulence according to novobiocin sensitivity. In the classification of Kloos and Schleifer, S. saprophyticus biotype 3 can be subdivided into four distinct staphylococcal species, namely S. saprophyticus , S.cohnii, S.haemolyticus and S.warneri. S. chonii and S. saprophyticus were equally virulent for mice aged 2 days, but novobiocinsensitive S. haemolyticus was less virulent. On epidemiological grounds, however, it would seem that S. saprophyticus has some undefined advantage in invading the urinary tract.