SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Staphylococcus haemolyticus”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

[Characteristics of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from hemocultures].

The authors investigated 352 strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from hemo-cultures of patients with assumed bacteraemia who were hospitalized in standard hospital departments and intensive care units. The strains were identified using STAPHYtest 16 and 14 different species and subspecies of coagulase-negative staphylococci were found. Most frequent were strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis (53%), strains of S. hominis subsp. hominis (22%) and S. haemolyticus (13%). In the strains the production of slime and delta-haemolysin was investigated. The formation of these two important factors of virulence was recorded in 95% strains (incl. major slime production in 13.4%), and 50% strains resp. The resistance to 13 antibiotics was also assessed. A total of 91% strains were resistant to penicillin, 63% to oxacillin and amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, 67% to gentamicin and 66% to erythromycin. In the group 15 strains of a recently described subspecies S. hominis subsp. novobiosepticus was identified. These isolates displayed most frequently resistance: they were resistant in 100% to five antibiotics (penicillin, oxacillin, erythromycin, clindamycin and amoxicillin with clavulanic acid) and with a single exception to another three antibiotics (chloramphenicol, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin). In these strains most frequently slime as well as delta-haemolysin was found. The authors assume, consistent with previous work, that it is important to focus attention on the incidence of strains of S. hominis subsp. novobiosepticus which very probably play an important role as agents in hospital infections. The authors describe also detection of one strain of S. cohnii subsp. urealyticum which was resistant to 10 of 13 antibiotics. The authors are convinced that also classical phenotypic analysis can contribute in an effective manner to the solution of the problem of infections caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci.

Bacteremia↗

PubMed1990

Bacteria causing respiratory infections in children and their sensitivity to antibiotics.

The author lists the most frequent bacterial agents isolated from the nose and pharynx samples of children that visited the Child Health Centre from 1983 to 1986. The gram-positive bacteria found most often were: Staphylococcus aureus (44% in 1983, 40% in 1986). Streptococcus pneumoniae (6% in 1983, 12% in 1986), and Streptococcus haemolyticus of group "A" (14% in 1983, 19% in 1986). The isolated gram-negative bacteria were: E. coli (14%), Klebsiella enterobacter (8%), and Proteus species and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2 to 4% [4, 6, 7, 16]). According to the author's analyses Staphylococcus aureus is highly sensitive to cloxacilline (96%, no changes in the 4-year period), then to sulphametoxasol-trimetropin (95%), to lincomycine (85% no change), while to penicillin it is entirely resistant. Streptococcus pneumoniae proved sensitive to ampicillin, lincocine and erythromycin (96%), to cephalosporins (83%) and to sulphamides (85%). Streptococcus haemolyticus from group "A" reacted to penicillin excellently. The greatest sensitivity to gram-negative bacteria E. coli related to aminoglycosides (97%), sulphonamides (96%), chloramphenicol (91%), and to cephalosporines (90%, in 1986 only 60%). Klebsiella enterobacter reacted to aminoglycosides (97%), sulphonamides (92%) and chloramphenicol (83%) and Pseudomonas to aminoglycosides (95%), gentamycin (92%), while to cephalosporines and ampicillin preparations it proved totally resistant.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1991

Characterization of staphylococcal plasmids hybridizing with the fosfomycin resistance gene fosB.

The distribution of the fosB gene, coding for fosfomycin resistance, in 105 fosfomycin-resistant isolates of Staphylococcus from various geographical areas, was studied by Southern blot hybridization. Nucleotide sequences related to fosB were detected in 36 strains belonging to five species. Plasmids bearing fosB were often of a size similar to that of pIP1842 (2.54 kb) in S. epidermidis, most often small (2.4 to 4.1 kb) in other species including S. aureus where a 2.7-kb plasmid was found in 16 out of the 18 strains studied. The fosB gene was geographically dispersed since it was present in six different locations in France and also in Japan. The weak hybridization observed with plasmid DNA of certain strains of S. aureus, S. epidermidis, S. haemolyticus, S. saprophyticus, and S. warneri may indicate gene heterogeneity for fosfomycin resistance in Staphylococcus spp.

Blotting, Southern↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Serological analysis of coagulase-negative staphylococci: study of characteristic agglutinogens in type strains of the nine species individualized by Schleifer and Kloos (author's transl)].

The occurrence of characteristic agglutinogens has been searched for in the type strains of the following species: Staphylococcus xylosus, S. cohnii, S. epidermidis, S. capitis, S. saprophyticus, S. warneri, S. haemolyticus, S. hominis and S. simulans. Serotyping of these nine strains and study of their antisera have been carried out with formalin-treated and autoclaved bacteria. It has been shown that the characteristic agglutinogens of S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus were respectively identical to the agglutinogens previously described in the coagulase-negative type strain 52.186 and in the S. aureus type strain 18. Characteristic agglutinogens have been found in each of the other seven type strains. Agglutinogens found in S. xylosus and S. saprophyticus are thermolabile, the corresponding absorbed sera reacting only with the formalin-treated homologous strain. Concerning S. cohnii, S. capitis, S. hominis and S. simulans, their absorbed sera reacting both with formalin-treated and autoclaved homologous strains, the observed reactions can be accounted either by one thermostable agglutinogen or by two characteristic agglutinogens, one thermostable, the other thermolabile. In S. warneri, only one thermostable agglutinogen has been characterized, the specificity of the reaction observed between the absorbed S. warneri antiserum and the homologous formalin-treated strain having to be confirmed. The use for serotyping of absorbed sera prepared against the type strains of the species S. xylosus, S. cohnii, S. capitis, S. saprophyticus, S. warneri, S. hominis and S. simulans should permit to improve the individualization of coagulase-negative staphylococci.

Agglutination Tests↗

PubMed1999

Mupirocin resistance in staphylococci: development and transfer of isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase-mediated resistance in vitro.

Mupirocin resistance could be transferred from highly resistant clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus to highly sensitive recipients of Staph. aureus, Staph. epidermidis and Staph. haemolyticus. Transconjugants of the latter two organisms could transfer this resistance into mupirocin-sensitive Staph. aureus. Moderately resistant strains did not transfer this resistance to sensitive recipients, nor did strains with high-level mupirocin resistance developed by serial transfer or habituation. The inhibitory effects of mupirocin on crude isoleucyl-tRNA synthetases (IRS) isolated from mupirocin-sensitive and -resistant strains of Staph. aureus have been determined. Drug concentrations needed to produce 50% inhibition, I50 values, were very low against IRS from a highly sensitive strain, somewhat higher against IRS from moderately resistant strains, much higher against enzyme from strains trained in vitro to high-level resistance, and considerably higher still against IRS extracted from clinical isolates possessing high-level mupirocin resistance and from the transconjugates of such strains resulting from crosses with mupirocin-sensitive strains. It is concluded that high-level resistance in clinical isolates is plasmid-mediated involving a second, mupirocin-resistant IRS whereas in moderately resistant strains, and in strains trained in vitro to high-level resistance, chromosomal mutations are likely to be responsible for decreasing IRS sensitivity.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Resistance profiles of the various species of the genus Staphylococcus to 15 clinically-used antimicrobials].

A total of 78 strains of 11 species of Staphylococcus genus (29 S. aureus, 48 Staphylococcus coagulase-negative and 1 S. intermedius strain,) were studied in order to determine the resistance patterns to fifteen commonly used antimicrobial agents. Out of 48 Staphylococcus coagulase-negative strains studied, 8 (4/15 S. epidermidis, 1/10 S. hominis, 1/6 S. haemolyticus, 2/3 S. xylosus) showed resistance patterns similar to that of S. aureus strains against beta-lactam antibiotics, aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol and fosfomycin, and 10 exhibit beta-lactamase-activity. Although the 7 S. saprophyticus strains assayed were beta-lactamase-negative by the chromogenic cephalosporin method after induction, the penicillin G minimal inhibitory concentration values were slightly higher than those obtained with other beta-lactamase-negative species. The susceptibilities to erythromycin and clindamycin suggested that macrolides-lincosamides-streptogramin type B (MLS) resistance was present in a large number of Staphylococcus coagulase-negative strains. In all the Staphylococcus genus, the aminoglycosides resistance seems to be mediated by the same aminoglycosides modifying-enzymes. Vancomycin was very active against the 11 species assayed. Rifampicin was effective with all Staphylococcus coagulase-negative strains. The S. aureus rifampicin-resistant were also resistant to oxacillin, and variable against aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol, fosfomycin, erythromycin and clindamycin. Only 5 strains were resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMS), 1 S. aureus oxacillin-susceptible, 1 S. aureus oxacillin-resistant, 2 S. xylosus and 1 S. warneri strains.

Drug Resistance, Microbial↗

PubMed2002

[Quantitative changes of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, HLA-DR+, T lymphocytes and CD25+ cells in eutrophic full-term neonates with staphylococcal septicemia].

OBJECTIVE: Influence of staphylococcal septicemia on changes of share and changes of amount of CD3+ lymphocytes and their subpopulation as well as CD25+ cells in eutrophic full-term neonates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 52 full-term neonates, with birthweight ranged from 2900 to 4500 g, including 30 infants with staphylococcal septicemia caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis (19 cases), S. sciuri (2 cases) S. varneri, S. hominis, S. haemolyticus and S. aureus (6 cases) and 22 healthy neonates (control group) the subpopulation of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, HLA-DR+ lymphocytes in venous blood was estimated using flow cytometer FACScan with monoclonal antibodies of Becton Dickinson. RESULTS: Average percentage of CD3+ (69.2 +/- 5.9%), CD4+ (48.9 +/- 10.7%) and HLA-DR+ (1.8 +/- 0.9%) lymphocytes and average CD4+/CD8+ ratio (2.97 +/- 1.33) in neonates with septicemia did not significantly differ from average values of these parameters in healthy neonates that were: CD3+ (69.1 +/- 9.0%), CD4+ (47.4 +/- 10.6%), HLA-DR+ (1.5 +/- 0.5%) and CD4+/CD8+ (2.29 +/- 1.29). Likewise the average numbers of these lymphocytes were close to the values found in the control group. Whereas the average subpopulation of CD8+ (19.2 +/- 4.6%) lymphocytes in ill neonates was significantly lower (p = 0.007) than in healthy ones (23.6 +/- 6.6%), and the average number of CD25+ cells was essentially (p = 0.01) higher in septicemia neonates (8.5 +/- 2.5) compared to the control group (6.6 +/- 1.3%). Average numbers of these cells in ill neonates did not substantially differ from their average values in control group. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Staphylococcal septicemia significantly decreases the values of subpopulation of CD8+ lymphocytes and increases the number of CD25+ cells in eutrophic full-term neonates. 2. Estimation of lymphocytes, and their subpopulation and CD25+ cells in neonates with staphylococcal septicemia may be useful in assessment of immunological changes in severe infections.

Amniotic Fluid↗

PubMed1983

Microbiologic and clinical studies with cefuroxime.

The microbiologic and therapeutic efficacy of cefuroxime, a lactamase-stable cephalosporin, was studied. Of the 2532 bacterial isolates of clinical origin, 80-95% of the E. coli, indole-negative Proteus, Klebsiella-enterobacter, Staphylococcus aureus, and 72-74% of indole-positive Proteus and Streptococcus B haemolyticus strains were found susceptible to cefuroxime by the disc method. Forty-three bacterial infections of 36 patients were treated; most of them were critically or seriously ill at the start of treatment. Half of the patients had failed to respond to previous antibacterial therapy. Cefuroxime was administered in doses of 750 and 1500 mg, three times daily, for an average of 11 days (6-37 days). Ten patients received an aminoglycoside in addition to cefuroxime. Forty-one infections of 34 patients were cured, one relapsed, and one did not respond. The pathogen was identified in 36 infections; in 34 it was eradicated. Cefuroxime was well tolerated by all patients including one with penicillin allergy. No side effects occurred except local pain at the site of i.m. injections in two cases. It is concluded that cefuroxime has a high efficacy against resistant strains and an outstanding value in severe bacterial infections.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Antibiotic susceptibility of staphylococci isolated in blood cultures in relation to antibiotic consumption in hospital wards.

A total of 510 isolates of Micrococcaceae, 500 of staphylococci and 10 micrococci, detected in 485 (3.3%) of 14,860 consecutive blood cultures obtained from patients at a Swedish university hospital and 2 local hospitals were identified to species level and investigated for antibiotic susceptibility. The 5 most frequently isolated species were Staphylococcus epidermidis (54.8%), S. aureus (28.0%), S. hominis (3.4%), S. warneri (3.2%) and S. haemolyticus (2.8%). All isolates of S. aureus were oxacillin sensitive. Great diversity in antibiotic resistance among coagulase negative staphylococci between hospitals and different ward units in the university hospital was observed. The frequency of antimicrobial resistance among S. epidermidis correlated with the antibiotic consumption at different ward units, in particular for ciprofloxacin (p < 0.001) and co-trimoxazole (p < 0.004). The study emphasizes the importance of monitoring antibiotic consumption and resistance patterns of nosocomial staphylococci in order to avoid emergence and spread of multi-resistant bacteria within the hospital environment.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2001

Identification of slide coagulase positive, tube coagulase negative Staphylococcus aureus by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing.

AIMS: To ascertain the clinical importance of a strain of slide coagulase positive but tube coagulase negative Staphylococcus species isolated from the blood culture of a 43 year old patient with refractory anaemia with excessive blasts in transformation who had neutropenic fever. METHODS: The isolate was investigated phenotypically by standard biochemical methods using conventional biochemical tests and two commercially available systems, the Vitek (GPI) and API (Staph) systems. Genotypically, the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene of the bacteria was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced. The sequence of the PCR product was compared with known 16S rRNA gene sequences in the GenBank by multiple sequence alignment. RESULTS: Conventional biochemical tests did not reveal a pattern resembling a known Staphylococcus species. The Vitek system (GPI) showed that it was 94% S. simulans and 3% S. haemolyticus, whereas the API system (Staph) showed that it was 86.8% S. aureus and 5.1% S. warneri. 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that there was a 0 base difference between the isolate and S. aureus, 28 base difference between the isolate and S. lugdunensis, 39 base difference between the isolate and S. schleiferi, 21 base difference between the isolate and S. haemolyticus, 41 base difference between the isolate and S. simulans, and 23 base difference between the isolate and S. warneri, indicating that the isolate was a strain of S. aureus. Vancomycin was subsequently prescribed and blood cultures taken four days after the start of treatment were negative. CONCLUSIONS: 16S rRNA gene sequencing was useful in ascertaining the clinical importance of the strain of slide coagulase positive but tube coagulase negative Staphylococcus species isolated from blood culture and allowing appropriate management.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Molecular typing of the methicillin resistance determinant (mec) of clinical strains of Staphylococcus based on mec hypervariable region length polymorphisms.

We used a method for molecular typing the methicillin resistance determinant (mec) based on the size of the mec-associated hypervariable region amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to examine 61 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), 15 methicillin-resistant (Mcr) S. epidermidis, and 11 Mcr S. haemolyticus clinical isolates. In the 61 MRSA isolates, five sizes of PCR products were observed. The MRSA isolates were grouped into five hypervariable region (HVR) genotypes on the basis of the size of the PCR product. Three different sizes were detected among 15 isolates of Mcr S. epidermidis and two sizes among 11 isolates of Mcr S. haemolyticus. The PCR products amplified from 14 of 15 Mcr S. epidermidis isolates were the same as products amplified from MRSA isolates, which was confirmed by the PCR-SSCP (single-strand conformation polymorphism) method. In methicillin-susceptible isolates, the target gene was not amplified. This method is thought to be useful in epidemiologic investigations of nosocomial infections caused by MRSA. This is the first typing method capable of comparing the mec determinants of MRSA isolates and Mcr coagulase-negative staphylococcal isolates to establish the origin of the mec determinant.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2004

In vitro activity of linezolid & quinupristin/dalfopristin against Gram-positive cocci.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Since the incidence of vancomycin- and methicillin-resistant Gram-positive infections continue to increase, novel antimicrobials such as linezolid and streptogramin may provide new options to treat patients. The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro susceptibility of Enterococcus faecium resistant to glycopeptides, coagulase negative staphylococci and S. aureus resistant to methicillin isolated mainly from blood and also rectal swab cultures of patients against quinupristin/dalfopristin and linezolid. METHODS: The in vitro susceptibility to linezolid and quinupristin/dalfopristin for a total of 332 isolates of Gram-positive cocci [127 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, 109 methicillin-resistant coagulase negative staphylococci (71 S. epidermidis, 38 S. haemolyticus) and 96 vanA genotype vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium] was investigated by E test. RESULTS: All MRSA and MRCoNS isolates were susceptible to linezolid (MICs < 4.0 mg/l). Ninety per cent of VRE isolates were inhibited by linezolid at concentration of 2.0 mg/l and presented similar activities to quinupristin/dalfopristin. MICs for quinupristin/dalfopristin against staphylococci were also low (MIC(90) = 1.0 mg/l for both MRSA and MRCoNS isolates). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The results of the present study demonstrated that quinupristin/ dalfopristin and linezolid, have good in vitro activity against MRSA, MRCoNS and vancomycin resistant E. faecium in Turkey. These drugs could be promising therapeutic options in an era of rapidly growing antibiotic resistance in all parts of world.

Acetamides↗

PubMed1994

[Molecular typing of the methicillin resistance determinant (mec) of clinical strains of Staphylococcus based on mec hypervariable region length polymorphisms].

We used a method for molecular typing of the methicillin resistance determinant (mec) based on the size of the mec-associated hypervariable region amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to examine 106 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), 9 methicillin-resistant (Mcr) S. epidermidis and 5 Mcr S. haemolyticus clinical isolates. In the 106 MRSA isolates, 5 sizes of PCR products were observed. The MRSA isolates were grouped into five hypervariable region (HVR) genotypes on the basis of the size of the PCR product. The PCR products amplified from 8 of 9 Mcr S. epidermidis isolates were the same as products amplified from MRSA isolates, which was confirmed by the PCR-SSCP (single-strand conformation polymorphism) method. In 32 methicillin-susceptible isolates, the target gene was not amplified. This method is thought to be useful in epidemiological investigations of nosocomial infections caused by MRSA. This is the first typing method capable of comparing the mec determinants of MRSA isolates and Mcr CNS isolates to establish the origin of the mec determinant.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1978

Phage typing and biotyping of coagulase-negative staphylococci.

A total of 211 strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from clinical materials were tested by use of 16 phages of PULVERER's set and biochemical methods proposed by KLOOS and SCHLEIFER. It appeared that 75% of tested strains was typable by used phages and ninety different phage patterns were observed. Most strains were classified as Staphylococcus epidermidis and the rest as S. warneri, S. simulans, S. hominis, Single strains represented species: S. capitis, S. haemolyticus and S. cohnii. No segregation of different phage patterns into particular species was found.

Bacteriological Techniques↗

PubMed2002

Mediastinitis after cardiac surgery: improvement of bacteriological diagnosis by use of multiple tissue samples and strain typing.

The diagnosis of postsurgical mediastinitis (PSM) among patients with sternal wound complication (SWC) after cardiac surgery is sometimes difficult, as fever, elevated C-reactive protein levels, and chest pain can be caused by a general inflammatory reaction to the operative trauma and/or sternal dehiscence without infection. The definitions of PSM usually used emphasize clinical signs and symptoms easily observed by the surgeon. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the use of standardized multiple tissue sampling, optimal culturing methods, and strain typing, together with a microbiological criterion for infection, could identify more infected patients than clinical assessment alone. Patients reexplored due to SWC after cardiac artery bypass grafting (CABG) or heart valve replacement (HVR) with or without CABG performed at the Department for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery at the Uppsala University Hospital between 10 March 1998 and 9 September 2000 were investigated prospectively. Tissue samples were taken from the sternum or adjacent mediastinal tissue, preferably before the administration of antibiotics. Culturing was performed both directly (on agar plates) and using enrichment broth. Species identification was performed by standard methods, and strain typing was performed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. A total of 41 cases with at least five tissue samples each were included in the study group. Of these patients, 32 were infected according to the microbiological criterion (i.e., the same strain was found in >/=50% of the samples). Staphylococcus epidermidis was the primary pathogen in 38% of the cases (12/32), S. aureus was the primary pathogen in 31% (10/32), P. acnes was the primary pathogen in 25% (8/32), and S. simulans and S. haemolyticus were the primary pathogens in 3% (1/32) each. All cases of S. aureus infection and 86% (12/14) of coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CoNS) infections were identified from primary cultures. All cases fulfilling the microbiological criterion for S. aureus infection were clinically diagnosed as cases of infection, but among the 14 cases fulfilling the criterion for microbiological diagnosis of CoNS infection, only 10 appeared to qualify clinically as cases of infection. Among the patients with sternal dehiscence in whom a microbiological diagnosis was established, 67% (12/18) had a CoNS infection, compared to 14% (2/14) of those without sternal dehiscence. The difference was statistically significant. PSM caused by S. aureus is readily identified by the surgeon, whereas 30% of cases with CoNS infections may be misinterpreted as noninfected. Multiple sampling before administration of antibiotics, primary culturing on agar plates, species identification, strain typing, and susceptibility testing should be used to ensure a fast and microbiologically correct diagnosis which identifies the primary pathogen and infected patients among those with minor infective symptoms. The role of P. acnes as a possible cause of PSM needs further investigation. PSM caused by CoNS is significantly related to sternal dehiscence.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗

PubMed1994

Identification of gram positive cocci isolated from urine.

A total of 195 strains of Gram positive cocci isolated from urine, in pure culture and in counts of > 10(3) colony forming units/ml, during January-September 1992, were speciated using schema recently described by Facklam and Washington, and Kloos and Lambe. Seventy three (85%) of the 86 enterococci were identified as Enterococcus faecalis while 11 (13%) were E. faecium. Eighteen (29%) of the 62 staphylococcal isolates were Staphylococcus aureus; 20 (45%) of the 44 coagulase negative staphylococci were speciated as Staph. haemolyticus. Of the 47 strains of beta haemolytic streptococci isolated, 45 (96%) were group B; one was group G and the other group F. Our results show the diverse species of Gram positive cocci associated with bacteriuria and the need to speciate them in a diagnostic laboratory. In the context of a larger number of tests required for the speciation of Gram positive cocci, we recommend a simplified scheme which we found feasible on a routine basis.

Gram-Positive Cocci↗

PubMed2000

Staphylococcal lipases: biochemical and molecular characterization.

To date, the nucleotide sequences of nine different lipase genes from six Staphylococcus species, three from S. epidermidis, two from S. aureus, and one each from S. haemolyticus, S. hyicus, S. warneri, and S. xylosus, have been determined. All deduced lipase proteins are similarly organized as pre-pro-proteins, with pre-regions corresponding to a signal peptide of 35 to 38 amino acids, a pro-peptide of 207 to 321 amino acids with an overall hydrophilic character, and a mature peptide comprising 383 to 396 amino acids. The lipases are secreted in the pro-form and are afterwards processed to the mature form by specific proteases. The pro-peptide of the S. hyicus lipase is necessary for efficient translocation and for protection against proteolytic degradation. Despite being very similar in their primary structures the staphylococcal lipases show significant differences in their biochemical and catalytic properties, such as substrate selectivity, pH optimum and interfacial activation. The lipase from S. hyicus is unique among the staphylococcal and bacterial lipases in that it has not only lipase activity, but also a high phospho-lipase activity. All staphylococcal lipases are dependent on Ca(2+), which is thought to have a function in stabilizing the tertiary structure of the lipases. Evidence exists that staphylococcal lipases like other bacterial lipases, possess a lid-like domain that might be involved in the interfacial activation of these enzymes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2003

Phylogenetic study of Staphylococcus and Macrococcus species based on partial hsp60 gene sequences.

A 600 bp partial hsp60 gene sequence has been described previously as a novel genetic marker for species identification and phylogenetic studies within the genus Staphylococcus. In the present study, the 600 bp partial hsp60 gene sequences of 40 validly described Staphylococcus species and subspecies and four Macrococcus species were PCR-amplified and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed excellent concordance between the unrooted dendrograms based on partial hsp60 and 16S rRNA gene sequences. The genus Macrococcus is clearly separated from the genus Staphylococcus, but is closely related to the 'sciuri group', the only staphylococci that are cytochrome c oxidase-positive. The remaining Staphylococcus species clustered into five broad-based subdivisions, which corresponded to the 'aureus group', the 'epidermidis group', the 'haemolyticus group', the 'saprophyticus group' and the 'intermedius group'. These results agreed remarkably well with the current taxonomy of this diverse family, which is based on classical phenotypic and biochemical testing. Furthermore, pairwise sequence comparisons indicated that the hsp60 gene is more divergent and more discriminatory than the 16S rRNA gene for species differentiation among strains of the genera Staphylococcus and Macrococcus. It is concluded that the hsp60 gene may be an efficient alternative target for taxonomic and phylogenetic studies on members of these genera.

Bacterial Proteins↗