We studied the interaction between rifampin and fusidic acid against a group of staphylococci. Of the 20 coagulase-positive strains studied, checkerboard studies revealed synergy in 3 and indifference in 17; time-kill studies revealed synergy in 18 of 19 coagulase-positive strains at both 24 and 48 h. Of the 19 coagulase-negative strains, checkerboard studies revealed synergy in 6 and indiffere...

For a positive coagulase test with certain isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, inoculation of 0.5 ml of coagulase plasma with at least two colonies and 24 h of incubation at 35 to 37 degrees C may be required. S. aureus does not multiply in coagulase plasma. There is also lot-to-lot variation in the sensitivity of coagulase plasma. On isolates from critical specimens, a negative coagulase test o...

"Staphylococcus pettenkoferi" (proposed name) was identified as an unusual agent of osteomyelitis in a diabetic foot infection. The phenotypical tests used failed to give a good identification. Molecular 16S rRNA gene and rpoB sequencing allowed us to correctly identify this new species of coagulase-negative staphylococcus responsible for this chronic infection.

The analysis of gel banding patterns of penicillin-binding proteins was used to identify two clinical isolates of a coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species as Staphylococcus caprae, a species originally isolated from goat's milk. One of the isolates was further shown to carry mecA, the structural gene for methicillin resistance.

Different strains of staphylococci vary in ability to produce free coagulase. Methods are given for the selection of suitable strains and for the production and concentration of coagulase from one of them. Of animal plasmas examined, cow, sheep, dog, guinea-pig and mouse showed a relative deficiency in coagulase activator, while plasma of man, monkey, horse, cat, pig, fowl and rabbit contained ...

To assess the spread and genetic characteristics of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) gene-carrying Staphylococcus aureus in Bangladesh, we investigated 59 strains (49 isolates from clinical specimens and 10 isolates colonized in the nasal cavities of medical staff), including 26 methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains. The PVL gene was detected only in methicillin-susceptible S. aureus ...

The sigB gene of Staphylococcus aureus, coding for the alternate sigma factor B, has been deleted by allelic replacement mutagenesis. The mutant grew as well as the parent in vitro, although it was deficient in clumping factor, coagulase, and pigment. In two murine and one rat infection model the mutant showed no reduction in virulence.

Of 235 strains of coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus studied, 221 or 94% were inhibited by 1.5 x 10(-8)m sodium borate, whereas only 6 of 57 (10.5%) coagulase-negative strains were inhibited by the same borate concentration. Four of the six coagulase-negatives were food poisoning strains and one was a hospital pathogen. Borate sensitivity was found to correlate well with lysozyme and alph...

Molecular determination of carriage of the mecA locus in coagulase negative staphylococci in screening swabs from patients in an intensive care unit Staphylococci are important nosocomial pathogens, which are easily transmitted from patient to patient, and there is concern over the recent emergence of antibiotic resistance to the β lactam class of antimicrobial drugs, particularly within methic...

Multiplex PCR was used to investigate the presence of enterotoxins genes (sea, seb, sec, sed and see) and femA gene (specific for Staphylococcus aureus) in coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS) isolated from cheese and meat products. From 102 CPS isolates, 91 were positive for femA, 10 for sea, 12 for sed and four for see.