The Genus Macrococcus: An Insight Into Its Biology, Evolution, and Relationship With Staphylococcus.

The Genus Macrococcus: An Insight Into Its Biology, Evolution, and Relationship With Staphylococcus. Adv Appl Microbiol. 2018;105:1-50 Authors: Mazhar S, Hill C, McAuliffe O Abstract The Gram-positive genus Macrococcus is composed of eight species that are evolutionarily closely related to species of the Staphylococcus genus. In contrast to Staphylococcus species, species of Macrococcus are generally regarded to be avirulent in their animal hosts. Recent reports on Macrococcus have focused on the presence of novel methicillin resistance genes in Macrococcus caseolyticus and Macrococcus canis, with the discovery of the first plasmid-encoded methicillin resistance gene in clinical Staphylococcus aureus of probable macrococcal origin generating further interest in these organisms. Furthermore, M. caseolyticus has been associated with flavor development in certain fermented foods and its potential as a food bio-preservative has been documented. The potential application of these organisms in food seems at odds with the emerging information regarding antibiotic resistance and is prompting further examination of the potential safety issues associated with such strains, given the European Food Safety Authority framework for the safety evaluation of microorganisms in the food chain. A comprehensive understanding of the genus would also contribute to understanding the evolution of staphylococci in terms of its acquisition of antibiotic resist...
Source: Advances in Applied Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Authors: Tags: Adv Appl Microbiol Source Type: research