Distinctive outer membrane protein and lipopolysaccharide composition of Bacteroides fragilis strains that produce metallo-beta-lactamase.
The outer membrane protein and lipopolysaccharide compositions of Bacteroides fragilis strains which produced metallo-beta-lactamase were shown to be different from those of fully sensitive random clinical isolates of Bacteroides fragilis in which metallo-beta-lactamase production was not detected. This may reflect differences in the permeability barrier and provides phenotypic evidence that Bacteroides fragilis which produce metallo-beta-lactamase may belong to a separate biotype. Outer membrane profiles may provide a rapid means of identifying these problem strains.
Edwards
R
R
Division of Microbiology and PHLS Laboratory, University Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK. myzrze@mrn1.mbiol.nottingham.ac.uk
Greenwood
D
D