The transfer of a plasmid specifying tetracycline resistance between different derivatives of Staphylococcus aureus by phage mediated conjugation was enhanced 100- to 1000-fold by exposure of the culture to subinhibitory concentrations of beta-lactam agents. A variety of other antibiotics, including vancomycin and teicoplanin, had no such effect. The enhanced frequency of transfer was probably due to the formation of large bacterial aggregates.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Barr et al. (1986) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: