Lack of horizontal gene transfer of methicillin-resistance genetic determinants from PBP2a-positive, coagulase-negative staphylococci to methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).

Lack of horizontal gene transfer of methicillin-resistance genetic determinants from PBP2a-positive, coagulase-negative staphylococci to methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Br J Biomed Sci. 2007 Jan;64(1):6-9 Authors: Wishart K, Loughrey A, Mcclurg RB, Goldsmith CE, Millar BC, Rao J, Sengupta B, Dooley JSG, Rooney PJ, Moore JE Abstract Previous research shows that approximately half of the coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) isolated from patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Belfast City Hospital were resistant to methicillin. The presence of this relatively high proportion of methicillin-resistance genetic material gives rise to speculation that these organisms may act as potential reservoirs of methicillin-resistance genetic material to methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). Mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer from PBP2a-positive CNS to MSSA, potentially transforming MSSA to MRSA, aided by electroporation-type activities such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), should be considered. Methicillin-resistant CNS (MR-CNS) isolates are collected over a two-month period from a variety of clinical specimen types, particularly wound swabs. The species of all isolates are confirmed, as well as their resistance to oxacillin by standard disc diffusion assays. In addition, MSSA isolates are collected over the same period and confirmed...
Source: British Journal of Biomedical Science - Category: Laboratory Medicine Tags: Br J Biomed Sci Source Type: research