Distribution of florfenicol resistance genes fexA and cfr among chloramphenicol-resistant Staphylococcus isolates.

ABSTRACT: A total of 302 chloramphenicol-resistant Staphylococcus isolates were screened for the presence of the florfenicol/chloramphenicol resistance genes fexA and cfr and their localization on mobile genetic elements. Of the 114 isolates from humans, only a single Staphylococcus aureus isolate showed an elevated MIC to florfenicol, but did not carry either of the known resistance genes, cfr or fexA. In contrast, 11 of the 188 staphylococci from animal sources were considered florfenicol resistant and carried either cfr (one isolate), fexA (five isolates), or both resistance genes (five isolates). In nine cases we confirmed that these genes were carried on a plasmid. Five different types of plasmids could be differentiated on the basis of their sizes, restriction patterns, and resistance genes. T

SUBMITTER: Kehrenberg C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1426988 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature