Staphylococcus bacteria have been found to contain and transfer genes that determine the virulence of the bacteria with regards to the disease it causes. These bacteria are also capable of becoming drug resistant via horizontal gene transfer of the resistance genes. It was thought that these processes of exchanging virulence genes and resistance genes occurred separately, but in recent research using strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis, it was discovered that these two genes are often bundled together and transferred to other bacteria as a package. The two bacteria used in the study, both of which commonly infect and reside on skin, have become progressively more virulent and resistant, making them good candidates for this research. Resistance genes and virulence genes each are associated with specific toxins and what specifically linked the two genes together was a new toxin found in the bundles of these genes called PSM-mec. Linking these genes together with the toxin provides a new pathway for further research in preventing, controlling or treating staph infections and especially drug resistant strains such as MRSA.
http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2009/staphgenes.htm
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