Diversity of staphylococci exhibiting high-level resistance to mupirocin

Institute of Dermatology Department of Microbiology, United Medical and Dental Schools, St Thomas Hospital, London SE1 7EH * Correspondence should be sent to: Professor W. C. Noble, Institute of Dermatology, St Thomas' Hospital, London SE1 7EH. Received March 2, 1990 Accepted April 9, 1990 Plasmids mediating high-level resistance to mupirocin (MIC >> 1000 mg/L) in staphylococci from various sources were studied by restriction endonuclease cleavage. Several patterns were obtained but six plasmids isolated from various Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis strains were indistinguishable. The diversity and spread of these plasmids is illustrated. Present address: Division of Hospital Infection, Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale, London NW9 5HT.