Over 90% of Staphylococcus aureus isolates are penicillin-resistant.Why?
A) they have loosely organized polysaccharide slime layers which protects their cell wall.
B) they produce coagulase.
C) They have a coating of protein A.
D) they produce β-lactamase.
E) they produce staphylokinase.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Penicillin is a β-lactam antibiotic that works by inhibiting cell wall synthesis. However, some bacteria have developed resistance mechanisms to protect against this type of antibiotic. One such mechanism is producing the enzyme β-lactamase, which breaks down the β-lactam ring of the antibiotic and renders it ineffective. Staphylococcus aureus is known to produce β-lactamase, which is why over 90% of isolates are penicillin-resistant.

Over 90% of Staphylococcus Aureus Isolates Are Penicillin-Resistant.Why