Nosocomial spread of Staphylococcus aureus showing intermediate resistance to methicillin.
A nosocomial outbreak of infection and colonization involving six patients and caused by a strain of Staphylococcus aureus showing intermediate resistance to methicillin (MIC = 4-8 mg l-1) is described. The outbreak was associated with skin-carriage of the epidemic strain by a nurse suffering from severe eczema. The reduced susceptibility of the outbreak strain to methicillin was associated with beta-lactamase production. Elimination or inhibition of beta-lactamase activity produced a two-fold decrease in methicillin MIC. There was no evidence for the presence of either penicillin-binding protein 2a or the corresponding mec gene, which mediate resistance in fully methicillin-resistant strains.
Richards
J
J
Public Health Laboratory, Norwich, UK.
Williams
H
H
Warner
M
M
Johnson
A P
AP
Reith
S
S
Woodford
N
N
Marples
R R
RR
George
R C
RC
D002353:Carrier State / Q000382:microbiology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000096:biosynthesis
D001618:beta-Lactamases