Cell surface hydrophobicity and adherence to extra-cellular matrix proteins in two collections of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Non-specific and specific mechanisms of adherence have been examined in two collections of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Determination of hydrophobicity by salt aggregation, hydrophobicity indices and of adherence to the extra-cellular matrix proteins fibronectin, vitronectin, laminin and collagen type 1 have failed to reveal any correlation with phage-type, plasmid profile or antibiogram. Further, the strain collections, made over a period of years in two countries, differ markedly in their adherence characteristics; MRSA are heterogeneous in this respect. Such heterogeneity may explain the polarization of views on the epidemicity or 'virulence' of MRSA. With the exception of adherence to collagen a small group of methicillin sensitive S. aureus had characteristics intermediate between the two groups of MRSA.
Cree
R G
RG
Department of Microbial Diseases, St John's Institute o Dermatology, St Thomas Hospital, London, UK.
Aleljung
P
P
Paulsson
M
M
Witte
W
W
Noble
W C
WC
Ljungh
A
A
Wadström
T
T
D000372:Agglutination Tests; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D001434:Bacteriophage Typing; D002847:Chromatography, Agarose; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010957:Plasmids; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000145:classification* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014867:Water
D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D014867:Water