Lysogeny of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and the role of prophages in transfer of conjugative and non-conjugative plasmids

J Chemother. 1991 Oct;3(5):279-82. doi: 10.1080/1120009x.1991.11739106.

Abstract

The lysogenicity of 49 strains of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolated in Moscow clinics in the 1970s and '80s was studied by the method of mitomycin C induction. It was found that one strain had phage of serogroup B, 33 strains had serogroup F phages and 15 strains had phages of both serogroups. In the course of genetic crossing on nitrocellulose filters it was demonstrated that serogroups B and F prophages contained in recipient cells 1) increase the frequency of transfer of conjugative plasmid pG873 and 2) mobilize transfer of non-conjugative plasmids pE994 and rms7.

MeSH terms

  • Conjugation, Genetic
  • Humans
  • Lysogeny / genetics*
  • Methicillin Resistance
  • Plasmids* / genetics
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Staphylococcus Phages / classification
  • Staphylococcus Phages / genetics*
  • Staphylococcus Phages / physiology
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Staphylococcus aureus / genetics*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / physiology