Staphylococcus aureus ampicillin-resistant from the odontological clinic environment

Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo. 2005 Jan-Feb;47(1):19-24. doi: 10.1590/s0036-46652005000100004. Epub 2005 Feb 23.

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate the prevalence of Staphylococcus spp. and S. aureus in the odontological clinic environment (air), their production of beta-lactamase and antibacterial susceptibility to the major antibiotics utilized in medical particle. During 12 months of samples collect were isolated 9775 CFU by MSA medium suggesting a high amount of Staphylococcus spp. in the clinic environment which can appear through aerosols. A total of 3149 colonies (32.2%) were suggestive of pathogenic staphylococci. Gram coloration, catalase test, colony-mallow growing on chromogenic medium, and coagulase test confirmed the identity of 44 (0.45%) S. aureus isolates. Of these, 35 isolates (79.5%) showed production of beta-lactamase by Cefinase discs and resistance to ampicillin, erythromycin (7 isolates) and tetracycline (1 isolate) suggesting the existence of multiresistant isolates. The evaluation of the oxacillin MIC by Etest assays showed susceptibility patterns suggesting the inexistence of the mecA gene in chromosomal DNA. These results point out to the need of a larger knowledge on the contamination means and propagation of this microorganism into the odontological clinic.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ampicillin Resistance*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Dental Offices*
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / enzymology
  • Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
  • beta-Lactamases / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • beta-Lactamases