Abstract
Decreased susceptibility to chlorhexidine gluconate (CHDN) in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is associated with the qacA, qacB, and smr genes, encoding efflux pumps. A total of 334 MRSA isolates were collected from two Canadian intensive care units between 2005 and 2009. We identified the qacAB genes in 7 strains (2%; 2 qacA genes and 5 qacB genes) and the smr gene in 23 (7%) strains. CHDN minimal bactericidal concentrations were slightly higher for strains harboring smr genes.
MeSH terms
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Anti-Infective Agents, Local / pharmacology*
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Antiporters / genetics*
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Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
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Canada
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Chlorhexidine / analogs & derivatives*
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Chlorhexidine / pharmacology
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Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics*
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Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
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Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / genetics
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Time Factors
Substances
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Anti-Infective Agents, Local
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Antiporters
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Bacterial Proteins
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Membrane Transport Proteins
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QacB protein, Staphylococcus aureus
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small multidrug-resistance pump, Staphylococcus aureus
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qacA protein, Staphylococcus aureus
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chlorhexidine gluconate
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Chlorhexidine