Papers in the Biological Sciences
Date of this Version
May 1969
Abstract
Fifteen sulfonamide-resistant cultures isolated from urinary tract infections in eastern Nebraska were screened for transferable drug resistance by three methods. Seven of the 15 resistant cultures could transfer resistance of varying levels to two or more chemotherapeutic agents. Transfer of drug resistance occurred without accompanying transfer of chromosomal traits and required cell to cell contact. In mixed culture, the number of drug-resistant recipients increased exponentially, reaching a plateau 2 hr after mixing. Spontaneous or artificial elimination of resistance was found to be a rare event. In addition, several drug-sensitive isolates from urinary tract infections were shown to be competent recipients of drug resistance determinants. From these data, it appears that the transferable drug resistance observed was mediated by R factors.
Comments
Published in APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, May 1969, p. 701-706 Vol. 17, No. 5. Copyright 1969 American Society for Microbiology. Used by permission.