Understanding changes in biofilms formed by Staphylococcus aureus strains.

The study published in PLOS ONE signing it as first author Maria Lazaro Diaz, one of the predoctoral contracts IDIVAL 2015-UC who have recently been granted.

The PhD and other researchers of the team led by Dr. Jose Ramos Vivas , the Group of Clinical and Molecular Microbiology IDIVAL have identified significant phenotypic and genotypic changes in the strains studied after treatment with ceftaroline, one of the few antibiotics currently able to eliminate strains of MRSA.
Effects of Concentrations of Ceftaroline on Subinhibitory Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Biofilms .

The aim of this study was to investigate the morphological, physiological and molecular changes by which biofilms (biofilm) formed by strains of Staphylococcus aureus resistant to methicillin (MRSA) respond to treatment with ceftaroline, a new cephalosporin with potent activity against MRSA . Using advanced microscopy techniques available in technological services IDIVAL , it has studied the extracellular matrix of these biofilms and their role in the resistance to the antibiotic.
It has also characterized the expression of genes related to the formation of these biofilms in subhinbitorias response to concentrations, which is particularly interesting in understanding how it can affect the pharmacokinetics of this drug against MRSA strains.
This new antimicrobial has been very effective against strains not forming extracellular matrix but less efficient strains capable of forming a highly defensive matrix protein.
The study results also show that keeping concentrations below the MIC can influence the expression of virulence genes unfavorable for the resolution of infection so.

The authors present their results and continue the work of its research on the treatment and resolution of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
In the study have been used strains of Staphylococcus aureus resistant to methicillin isolated in the Hospital Marqués Valdecilla.