Mercury resistance and tetracycline resistance inStaphylococcus aureus

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Abstract
Minimum inhibitory concentrations of tetracycline to 256 tetracycline-resistant strains ofStaphylococcus aureuswere determined. M.I.C.'s tetracycline were appreciably higher among mercury resistant than among mercury sensitive strains.Mercury resistant strains representing various M.I.C.'s tetracycline grew significantly better in peptone water containing a therapeutic concentration of tetracycline than mercury sensitive strains representing the same range of resistance. The experiment was repeated after both groups had been adapted—or ‘trained’—to grow on agar containing tetracycline, 100µg./ml. The mercury sensitive strains now grew better than the mercury resistant group.The significance of these findings is discussed. It is concluded that tetracycline resistance is more stable and efficient in mercury resistant strains, and that it is probably genetic in origin—the result of mutation and selection. Tetracycline resistance in mercury sensitive strains is possibly the result of ‘training’.The associations and significance of both mercury resistance and tetracycline resistance inStaphylococcus aureusare discussed.

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