Lysogeny of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and the Role of Prophages in Transfer of Conjugative and Non-Conjugative Plasmids

Summary

The lysogcnicity 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.

Key Words:

• S. aureus,
• resistance to methicillin
• phages
• conjugation
• mobilization
• plasmids.