Staphylococcus aureus mutants resistant to the feed-additive monensin show increased virulence and altered purine metabolism.

ABSTRACT: Ionophores are antibacterial compounds that affect bacterial growth by changing intracellular concentrations of the essential cations, sodium and potassium. They are extensively used in animal husbandry to increase productivity and reduce infectious diseases, but our understanding of the potential for and effects of resistance development to ionophores is poorly known. Thus, given their widespread global usage, it is important to determine the potential negative consequences of ionophore use on human and animal health. In this study, we demonstrate that exposure to the ionophore monensin can select for resistant mutants in the human and animal pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, with a majority of the resistant mutants showing increased growth rates in vitro and/or in mice. Whole

SUBMITTER: Warsi OM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10865815 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature