mcgraw hill microbiology test bank Related

Review mcgraw hill microbiology test bank related questions and content

By what mechanism does MRSA achieve resistance to standard beta-lactam antibiotics?

  • A. Extended spectrum beta-lactamases
  • B. Penicillin efflux pump
  • C. Altered peptide sequence in peptidoglycan
  • D. Altered penicillin binding proteins
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Altered penicillin binding proteins. MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) achieves resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, by producing altered penicillin binding proteins that have reduced affinity for these antibiotics. This alteration prevents the antibiotics from binding to their target sites on the bacterial cell wall, thus rendering them ineffective.

Choice A, extended spectrum beta-lactamases, are enzymes produced by some bacteria to break down beta-lactam antibiotics, but MRSA does not use this mechanism. Choice B, penicillin efflux pump, is a mechanism where bacteria pump out antibiotics from their cells, but this is not how MRSA develops resistance. Choice C, altered peptide sequence in peptidoglycan, does not directly relate to how MRSA resists beta-lactam antibiotics.