Download Single cell amoeba increases MRSA numbers 1000

Single cell amoeba increases MRSA numbers 1000 -fold.
Recently published in “Environmental Microbiology”, March 2006
Scientists in the UK have found that a type of amoeba acts as an incubator for MRSA
bacteria. As amoebae are often found in healthcare environments this discovery has
implications for the infection control strategies adopted by hospitals.
The single cell amoeba, Acanthamoeba polyphagam commonly eats and digests
environmental bacteria. It also engulfs pathogens such as MRSA. However, instead of being
digested by the amoeba, MRSA survives and replicates whilst inside the amoeba. Prof
Michael Brown and colleagues at the University of Bath, found that MRSA in association with
amoebae increased in numbers 1000- fold.
The pathogenic bacteria, Legionella, also replicate inside amoebae and are then released into
the environment. The released bacteria are less susceptible to biocides and antimicrobials,
and are more invasive than the same bacteria which have grown freely. Replication within
amoebae may have the same effect on MRSA.
Amoebae, as cysts, are often dispersed by air currents, providing another means of spreading
any trapped bacteria.
“We need more research into the role of amoeba in the spread of MRSA – hospitals should
aim to eradicate amoebae as well as the bacteria themselves” said Prof Brown of the
Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath.
Notes to editors:
1. The article referred to is ‘Amoebe promote persistence of epidemic strains of MRSA’ Sharon Huws,
Anthony Smith, Mark Enright, Pauline Wood, Michael Brown. Environmental Microbiology (2006)
Available Online Early
2. To request a PDF version of the above article, please contact Lucy Mansfield at Blackwell Publishing,
email [email protected].
3. To arrange an interview with the author, Prof Michael Brown, email:
[email protected]
4. Environmental Microbiology is published by Blackwell Publishing with the Society for Applied
Microbiology. The journal is devoted to the study of microbial processes in the environment, microbial
communities and microbial interactions.
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