A
new antibiotic resistance gene has been found in bacteria from dairy cows. This
gene confers resistance to all beta-lactam antibiotics including the last
generation of cephalosporins used against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. A transfer to S. aureus which is likely according to
the researchers would jeopardize the use of reserve antibiotics to treat human
infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria in hospitals.
Macrococcus
caseolyticus is a harmless bacterium naturally found on the skin
of dairy cows which can spread to milk during the milking process. It can also
be present in dairy products made from raw milk like e.g. cheese. Researchers
of the Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology of the University of Bern have
identified a new methicillin resistance gene in strains of M. caseolyticus isolated from milk. Transfer of the gene to Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium found
on the skin and mucosa of animals and humans, would have dramatic consequences
for public health. This methicillin resistance gene would turn this bacteria
into a hazardous methicillin-resistant S.
aureus (MRSA), which is known to cause difficult-to-treat infections in
hospitals. Acquired methicillin resistance in bacteria is associated with genes
mecA, mecB, or mecC. However, none of these genes were present in the M. caseolyticus strains -- they carried
the novel resistance gene mecD.
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Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle
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