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Nohejl T, Valcek A, Papousek I, Palkovicova J, Wailan AM, Pratova H, Minoia M, Dolejska M. Genomic analysis of qnr-harbouring IncX plasmids and their transferability within different hosts under induced stress. BMC Microbiol 2022; 22:136. [PMID: 35590235 PMCID: PMC9118779 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-022-02546-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Conjugative plasmids play a major role in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes. Knowledge of the plasmid characteristics and behaviour can allow development of control strategies. Here we focus on the IncX group of plasmids carrying genes conferring quinolone resistance (PMQR), reporting their transfer and persistence within host bacteria of various genotypes under distinct conditions and levels of induced stress in form of temperature change and various concentrations of ciprofloxacin supplementation. Methods Complete nucleotide sequences were determined for eight qnr-carrying IncX-type plasmids, of IncX1 (3), IncX2 (3) and a hybrid IncX1-2 (2) types, recovered from Escherichia coli of various origins. This data was compared with further complete sequences of IncX1 and IncX2 plasmids carrying qnr genes (n = 41) retrieved from GenBank and phylogenetic tree was constructed. Representatives of IncX1 (pHP2) and IncX2 (p194) and their qnrS knockout mutants, were studied for influence of induced stress and genetic background on conjugative transfer and maintenance. Results A high level of IncX core-genome similarity was found in plasmids of animal, environmental and clinical origin. Significant differences were found between the individual IncX plasmids, with IncX1 subgroup plasmids showing higher conjugative transfer rates than IncX2 plasmids. Knockout of qnr modified transfer frequency of both plasmids. Two stresses applied simultaneously were needed to affect transfer rate of wildtype plasmids, whereas a single stress was sufficient to affect the IncX ΔqnrS plasmids. The conjugative transfer was shown to be biased towards the host phylogenetic proximity. A long-term cultivation experiment pointed out the persistence of IncX plasmids in the antibiotic-free environment. Conclusions The study indicated the stimulating effect of ciprofloxacin supplementation on the plasmid transfer that can be nullified by the carriage of a single PMQR gene. The findings present the significant properties and behaviour of IncX plasmids carrying antibiotic resistance genes that are likely to play a role in their dissemination and stability in bacterial populations. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12866-022-02546-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Nohejl
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.,CEITEC, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Adam Valcek
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.,CEITEC, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Center, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Ivo Papousek
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Palkovicova
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.,CEITEC, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Alexander M Wailan
- Parasites and Microbes, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Hana Pratova
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.,CEITEC, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marco Minoia
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.,CEITEC, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Monika Dolejska
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic. .,CEITEC, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic. .,Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Center, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic. .,Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, The University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Phenotypic and Genotypic Properties of Fluoroquinolone-Resistant, qnr-Carrying Escherichia coli Isolated from the German Food Chain in 2017. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9061308. [PMID: 34208509 PMCID: PMC8233838 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9061308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluoroquinolones are the highest priority, critically important antimicrobial agents. Resistance development can occur via different mechanisms, with plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) being prevalent in the livestock and food area. Especially, qnr genes, commonly located on mobile genetic elements, are major drivers for the spread of resistance determinants against fluoroquinolones. We investigated the prevalence and characteristics of qnr-positive Escherichia (E.) coli obtained from different monitoring programs in Germany in 2017. Furthermore, we aimed to evaluate commonalities of qnr-carrying plasmids in E. coli. We found qnr to be broadly spread over different livestock and food matrices, and to be present in various sequence types. The qnr-positive isolates were predominantly detected within selectively isolated ESBL (extended spectrum beta-lactamase)-producing E. coli, leading to a frequent association with other resistance genes, especially cephalosporin determinants. Furthermore, we found that qnr correlates with the presence of genes involved in resistance development against quaternary ammonium compounds (qac). The detection of additional point mutations in many isolates within the chromosomal QRDR region led to even higher MIC values against fluoroquinolones for the investigated E. coli. All of these attributes should be carefully taken into account in the risk assessment of qnr-carrying E. coli from livestock and food.
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