Amoebae promote persistence of epidemic strains of MRSA

Sharon A. Huws, Anthony W. Smith, Mark C. Enright, Pauline J. Wood, Michael R. W. Brown

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The control of healthcare-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is of concern worldwide. Given the evidence that several pathogenic species replicate within amoebae and emerge more virulent and more resistant and the abundance of amoebae in healthcare settings, we investigated interactions of Acanthamoeba polyphaga with epidemic MRSA isolates. MRSA proliferated in the presence of amoebae, attributable partly to intracellular replication. Following 24 h of co-culture, confocal microscopy revealed that c. 50% amoebae had viable MRSA within phago-lysosomes and 2% of amoebae were heavily infected with viable cocci throughout the cytoplasm. Infection control strategies should recognize the contribution of protozoa.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1130-1133
Number of pages4
JournalEnvironmental Microbiology
Volume8
Issue number6
Early online date16 Feb 2006
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2006

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Amoebae promote persistence of epidemic strains of MRSA'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this