Staphylococcus aureus mutants resistant to the feed-additive monensin show increased virulence and altered purine metabolism

Abstract

This study demonstrates a novel link between ionophore resistance, purine metabolism, and virulence/fitness in the key human and animal pathogen Staphylococcus aureus . The results show that mutants with reduced susceptibility to the commonly used ionophore monensin can be readily selected and that the reduced susceptibility observed is associated with an increased expression of the de novo purine synthesis pathway. This study increases our understanding of the impact of the use of animal feed additives on both human and veterinary medicine.