Evidence for the secretion of soluble peptidoglycans by clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus.
Four isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from patients with endocarditis and bacteremia were capable of secreting high-molecular-weight soluble peptidoglycans when grown in a minimal cell wall medium containing penicillin G. Vancomycin was not able to substitute for penicillin G in triggering this secretion. Secretion reflected de novo synthesis of soluble peptidoglycan and was strongly dependent on time of incubation (30 to 60 min), and number of bacteria (2 X 10(8) to 5 X 10(8) colony-forming units per ml), but not on penicillin G concentration (10 to 250 micrograms/ml). The incorporation of alanine into the peptidoglycans secreted in vitro by these isolates incubated in the presence of penicillin G under optimal conditions was variable. The least incorporation of alanine into peptidoglycan occurred with an isolate from a patient treated with nafcillin who had no detectable antipeptidoglycan titer.
D000409:Alanine / Q000378:metabolism; D003470:Culture Media; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000494:pharmacology; D010457:Peptidoglycan / Q000378:metabolism*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000378:metabolism*; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000494:pharmacology
D003470:Culture Media; D010457:Peptidoglycan; D014640:Vancomycin; D000409:Alanine; D010400:Penicillin G