Beta-lactam antibiotics increase the frequency of plasmid transfer in Staphylococcus aureus.
The transfer of a plasmid specifying tetracycline resistance between different derivatives of Staphylococcus aureus by phage mediated conjugation was enhanced 100- to 1000-fold by exposure of the culture to subinhibitory concentrations of beta-lactam agents. A variety of other antibiotics, including vancomycin and teicoplanin, had no such effect. The enhanced frequency of transfer was probably due to the formation of large bacterial aggregates.
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D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011815:R Factors / Q000187:drug effects*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D047090:beta-Lactams
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D047090:beta-Lactams