Open AccessResistance heterogeneity in methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Author(s) -
Matthews P.R.,
Stewart P.R.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1984.tb00718.x
Subject(s) - staphylococcus aureus , microbiology and biotechnology , antibiotics , biology , staphylococcus , antibiotic resistance , resistance (ecology) , bacteria , genetics , ecology
A striking feature of methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus is the considerable heterogeneity of expression of resistance by cells in clonal populations: some are sensitive (or almost so), others are highly resistant, and others show intermediate resistance to the antibiotic. Subclones generally are also heterogeneous, suggesting variable inheritance or control of expression of resistance. The degree of heterogeneity and mean resistance is influenced by environmental parameters: temperature, osmolality, pH, light, anaerobiosis, chelating agents and metal ions, and prior exposure to β‐lactam antibiotics.