OSMOPROTECTIVE PROPERTIES AND ACCUMULATION OF BETAINE ANALOGS BY STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS

Betaines were evaluated as potential antistaphylococcal agents for uri nary tract infections. Staphylococcus aureus accumulated all tested be taines except trigonelline. S. aureus transport systems were less sens itive to carbon chain length than those of Escherichia coli. Betaines were accumulated in the absence of osmotic stress, and 10-fold more in hyperosmotic medium. Most betaines increased the osmotolerance of S. aureus in defined minimal medium. Unlike E. coli, S. aureus did not si gnificantly accumulate a second betaine in the presence of glycine bet aine. Betaines are less likely to be useful in treating staphylococcal than E. toll urinary infections. (C) 1998 Federation of European Micr obiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V.