Staphylococcus aureus infections are a growing concern in the medical community. It is imperative that we identify the mechanisms utilized by S. aureus to regulate its virulence. It is our central hypothesis that protein synthesis inhibitor antibiotics can reduce the protein expression levels of virulence factors ScpA and TSST-1 of S. aureus. After identifying and growing S. aureus in sub-inhibitory concentrations with antibiotics kanamycin, erythromycin, carbencillin and chloramphenicol, ELISA was used to quantify the protein expression of TSST-1 and ScpA. S. aureus grown in chloramphenicol, kanamycin and erythromycin demonstrates a 31%, 26% and 74% reduction (respectively) in TSST-1 protein expression whereas carbenicillin shows an 18% increase. ScpA expression in the presence of chloramphenicol and carbenicillin shows a 50% and 9% reduction (respectively). In conclusion, data from this study support the hypothesis that the presence of selected antibiotics can alter the protein levels of S. aureus confirming our hypothesis.

Selected antibiotics can modulate ScpA and TSST-1 expression in <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>

247th National Meeting (2014)

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Selected antibiotics can modulate ScpA and TSST-1 expression in Staphylococcus aureus