Characterization of Persister Cells and Some Mutants from Clinical Isolate of A Multidrug-Resistant MRSA

Sally Elsheikh, Hamdia Askar, Yehia A. Osman

Abstract


Background: Some multidrug resistant bacteria such as MRSA, produce persister cells in the presence of bactericidal agents, which enables them to survive in the presence of the antibiotics. Evolution of persisters and the mechanisms of survival are still debatable and difficult to understand. Formation of persister cells establishes phenotypic heterogeneity within a bacterial population, causes relapses of bacterial infections and linked to failed treatments and the emergence of antibiotic resistance.

Method: MRSA-derived persisters were isolated under vancomycin stress and mutated by exposure to ultraviolet radiation; 254um. Persister cells and the mutants were classically and biochemically characterized.  Persister cells were further subjected to persister's assay, grown on Baird-Parker medium, tested for biofilm formation, DNase production and mannitol fermentation.

Results: Bacteriologically and biochemically persisters were found to be similar to the clinical isolate and standard MRSA strains.  But distinctive differences were observable in the DNase, coagulase and catalase activities.

Conclusion: A general method for isolating persisters was developed based on lysis of regular MRSA cells by vancomycin.  These persisters retained all MRSA characteristics but shown down regulated enzyme activities.


Keywords


S. aureus, MRSA, persisters and mutants.

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References


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.52155/ijpsat.v22.1.2021

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