Abstract: OBJECTIVE To determine whether exposure to beta-lactam antibiotics can induce heterogeneous vancomycin intermediate Staphylococcus aureus(hVISA) in vitro, and carry out its drug sensitive test. METHODS Five clinical strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) were selected, and three commonly used β-lactam antibiotics (ceftazidime, piperacillin-tazobactam and meropenem) were used to gradually induce the strains. The strains after induction were classified as hVISA according to the method of PAP/AUC. The MIC of vancomycin, linezolid, tigecycline and daptomycin against hVISA were determined by E-test, and the combined drug sensitivity was determined by checkerboard method. RESULTS Three, three and one hVISA strains were induced by ceftazidime, piperacillin-tazobactam and meropenem, respectively. The MIC of seven hVISA strains to vancomycin were 2-4mg/L. The MIC of hVISA to vancomycin combined with rifampin, levofloxacin and fusidic acid were 1-4mg/L, 1-4 mg/L and 1-2mg/L, respectively. The MIC to linezolid, tigecycline and daptomycin were 0.25-1 mg/L, 0.125-0.5 mg/L and 0.064-0.25 mg/L, respectively. CONCLUSION The hVISA strains can be induced by beta-lactam antibiotics in vitro. The cephalosporin and semi-synthetic penicillin are easier to induce hVISA stains than carbapenems. Combined medication can not be a significant reduction in MIC of hVISA to vancomycin. The new antibiotics (linezolid, tigecycline and daptomycin) against MRSA have higher sensitivity to hVISA, which can effectively treat the infection by hVISA.