Genetic homologies among Staphylococcus aureus and related organisms
Koike, J.; Koike, K.A.; Fujiwara, K.
Nihon Saikingaku Zasshi. Japanese Journal of Bacteriology 32(4): 579-584
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-4930 PMID: 411959 Document Number: 120505
DNA-DNA hybridization experiments were carried out in order to determine the genetic homologies among S. aureus and related organisms. Strains of Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli and Streptomyces aureofaciens were examined as control organisms. When nonenterotoxigenic S. aureus 209 p was used as reference DNA, DNA reassociation experiments showed genetic homology values ranging from 52-75% with 7 enterotoxigenic strains, from 87-100% with 2 nontoxigenic S. aureus and from 25-43% with 5 strains of S. epidermidis, while M. luteus belonging to the same Micrococcaceae exhibited a very low value of homology similar to those of E. coli and S. aureofaciens. When enterotoxigenic S. aureus S-6 (enterotoxin B) was used as reference DNA, the genetic homology value ranged from 80-100% with enterotoxigenic strains, from 63-69% with nontoxigenic S. aureus, and from 44-66% with S. epidermidis. It was 28% with M. luteus and 24.1% with E. coli and S. aureofaciens. S. aureus, S. epidermidis and M. luteus can apparently be distinguished from one another on the basis of DNA homology value. Genetic relatedness may be useful for the detection of enterotoxin-producing strains of S. aureus.