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Alav I, Pordelkhaki P, de Resende PE, Partington H, Gibbons S, Lord RM, Buckner MMC. Cobalt complexes modulate plasmid conjugation in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8103. [PMID: 38582880 PMCID: PMC10998897 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58895-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance genes (ARG), such as extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase genes, are commonly carried on plasmids. Plasmids can transmit between bacteria, disseminate globally, and cause clinically important resistance. Therefore, targeting plasmids could reduce ARG prevalence, and restore the efficacy of existing antibiotics. Cobalt complexes possess diverse biological activities, including antimicrobial and anticancer properties. However, their effect on plasmid conjugation has not been explored yet. Here, we assessed the effect of four previously characterised bis(N-picolinamido)cobalt(II) complexes lacking antibacterial activity on plasmid conjugation in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of these cobalt complexes confirmed the lack of antibacterial activity in E. coli and K. pneumoniae. Liquid broth and solid agar conjugation assays were used to screen the activity of the complexes on four archetypical plasmids in E. coli J53. The cobalt complexes significantly reduced the conjugation of RP4, R6K, and R388 plasmids, but not pKM101, on solid agar in E. coli J53. Owing to their promising activity, the impact of cobalt complexes was tested on the conjugation of fluorescently tagged extended-spectrum β-lactamase encoding pCTgfp plasmid in E. coli and carbapenemase encoding pKpQILgfp plasmid in K. pneumoniae, using flow cytometry. The complexes significantly reduced the conjugation of pKpQILgfp in K. pneumoniae but had no impact on pCTgfp conjugation in E. coli. The cobalt complexes did not have plasmid-curing activity, suggesting that they target conjugation rather than plasmid stability. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report reduced conjugation of clinically relevant plasmids with cobalt complexes. These cobalt complexes are not cytotoxic towards mammalian cells and are not antibacterial, therefore they could be optimised and employed as inhibitors of plasmid conjugation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilyas Alav
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Parisa Pordelkhaki
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Pedro Ernesto de Resende
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Hannah Partington
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Simon Gibbons
- Natural & Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Birkat Al Mauz, P.O. Box 33, Nizwa, 616, Oman
| | - Rianne M Lord
- School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Michelle M C Buckner
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
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2
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Malone JG, Thompson CMA. Mechanisms of Plasmid Behavioral Manipulation. DNA Cell Biol 2024; 43:105-107. [PMID: 38294780 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2023.0402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob G Malone
- Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
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3
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Pu D, Zhao J, Chang K, Zhuo X, Cao B. "Superbugs" with hypervirulence and carbapenem resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae: the rise of such emerging nosocomial pathogens in China. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2023; 68:2658-2670. [PMID: 37821268 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2023.09.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Although hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKP) can produce community-acquired infections that are fatal in young and adult hosts, such as pyogenic liver abscess, endophthalmitis, and meningitis, it has historically been susceptible to antibiotics. Carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) is usually associated with urinary tract infections acquired in hospitals, pneumonia, septicemias, and soft tissue infections. Outbreaks and quick spread of CRKP in hospitals have become a major challenge in public health due to the lack of effective antibacterial treatments. In the early stages of K. pneumoniae development, HvKP and CRKP first appear as distinct routes. However, the lines dividing the two pathotypes are vanishing currently, and the advent of carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (CR-hvKP) is devastating as it is simultaneously multidrug-resistant, hypervirulent, and highly transmissible. Most CR-hvKP cases have been reported in Asian clinical settings, particularly in China. Typically, CR-hvKP develops when hvKP or CRKP acquires plasmids that carry either the carbapenem-resistance gene or the virulence gene. Alternatively, classic K. pneumoniae (cKP) may acquire a hybrid plasmid carrying both genes. In this review, we provide an overview of the key antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, virulence factors, clinical presentations, and outcomes associated with CR-hvKP infection. Additionally, we discuss the possible evolutionary processes and prevalence of CR-hvKP in China. Given the wide occurrence of CR-hvKP, continued surveillance and control measures of such organisms should be assigned a higher priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danni Pu
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China; Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China; Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jiankang Zhao
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China; Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Kang Chang
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China; Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xianxia Zhuo
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China; Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100029, China; Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Bin Cao
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China; Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China; Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100029, China; Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China.
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4
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Allain M, Mahérault AC, Gachet B, Martinez C, Condamine B, Magnan M, Kempf I, Denamur E, Landraud L. Dissemination of IncI plasmid encoding bla CTX-M-1 is not hampered by its fitness cost in the pig's gut. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0011123. [PMID: 37702541 PMCID: PMC10583664 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00111-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiresistance plasmids belonging to the IncI incompatibility group have become one of the most pervasive plasmid types in extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli of animal origin. The extent of the burden imposed on the bacterial cell by these plasmids seems to modulate the emergence of "epidemic" plasmids. However, in vivo data in the natural environment of the strains are scarce. Here, we investigated the cost of a bla CTX-M-1-IncI1 epidemic plasmid in a commensal E. coli animal strain, UB12-RC, before and after oral inoculation of 15 6- to 8-week- old specific-pathogen-free pigs. Growth rate in rich medium was determined on (i) UB12-RC and derivatives, with or without plasmid, in vivo and/or in vitro evolved, and (ii) strains that acquired the plasmid in the gut during the experiment. Although bla CTX-M-1-IncI1 plasmid imposed no measurable burden on the recipient strain after conjugation and during the longitudinal carriage in the pig's gut, we observed a significant difference in the bacterial growth rate between IncI1 plasmid-carrying and plasmid-free isolates collected during in vivo carriage. Only a few mutations on the chromosome of the UB12-RC derivatives were detected by whole-genome sequencing. RNA-Seq analysis of a selected set of these strains showed that transcriptional responses to the bla CTX-M-1-IncI1 acquisition were limited, affecting metabolism, stress response, and motility functions. Our data suggest that the effect of IncI plasmid on host cells is limited, fitness cost being insufficient to act as a barrier to IncI plasmid spread among natural population of E. coli in the gut niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaux Allain
- Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, INSERM, IAME, Paris, France
- AP-HP, Laboratoire de Microbiologie Hygiène, Hôpital Louis Mourier, Colombes, France
| | - Anne Claire Mahérault
- Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, INSERM, IAME, Paris, France
- AP-HP, Laboratoire de Microbiologie Hygiène, Hôpital Louis Mourier, Colombes, France
| | - Benoit Gachet
- Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, INSERM, IAME, Paris, France
| | - Caroline Martinez
- Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, INSERM, IAME, Paris, France
| | - Bénédicte Condamine
- Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, INSERM, IAME, Paris, France
| | - Mélanie Magnan
- Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, INSERM, IAME, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Kempf
- ANSES, Laboratoire de Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort, Ploufragan, France
| | - Erick Denamur
- Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, INSERM, IAME, Paris, France
- AP-HP, Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, Hôpital Bichat, Paris, France
| | - Luce Landraud
- Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, INSERM, IAME, Paris, France
- AP-HP, Laboratoire de Microbiologie Hygiène, Hôpital Louis Mourier, Colombes, France
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5
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Element SJ, Moran RA, Beattie E, Hall RJ, van Schaik W, Buckner MM. Growth in a biofilm promotes conjugation of a bla NDM-1-bearing plasmid between Klebsiella pneumoniae strains. mSphere 2023; 8:e0017023. [PMID: 37417759 PMCID: PMC10449501 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00170-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing problem, especially in Gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae such as Klebsiella pneumoniae. Horizontal transfer of conjugative plasmids contributes to AMR gene dissemination. Bacteria such as K. pneumoniae commonly exist in biofilms, yet most studies focus on planktonic cultures. Here we studied the transfer of a multi-drug resistance plasmid in planktonic and biofilm populations of K. pneumoniae. We determined plasmid transfer from a clinical isolate, CPE16, which carried four plasmids, including the 119-kbp blaNDM-1-bearing F-type plasmid pCPE16_3, in planktonic and biofilm conditions. We found that transfer frequency of pCPE16_3 in a biofilm was orders-of-magnitude higher than between planktonic cells. In 5/7 sequenced transconjugants (TCs) multiple plasmids had transferred. Plasmid acquisition had no detectable growth impact on TCs. Gene expression of the recipient and a transconjugant was investigated by RNA-sequencing in three lifestyles: planktonic exponential growth, planktonic stationary phase, and biofilm. We found that lifestyle had a substantial impact on chromosomal gene expression, and plasmid carriage affected chromosomal gene expression most in stationary planktonic and biofilm lifestyles. Furthermore, expression of plasmid genes was lifestyle-dependent, with distinct signatures across the three conditions. Our study shows that growth in biofilm greatly increased the risk of conjugative transfer of a carbapenem resistance plasmid in K. pneumoniae without fitness costs and minimal transcriptional rearrangements, thus highlighting the importance of biofilms in the spread of AMR in this opportunistic pathogen. IMPORTANCE Carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae is particularly problematic in hospital settings. Carbapenem resistance genes can transfer between bacteria via plasmid conjugation. Alongside drug resistance, K. pneumoniae can form biofilms on hospital surfaces, at infection sites and on implanted devices. Biofilms are naturally protected and can be inherently more tolerant to antimicrobials than their free-floating counterparts. There have been indications that plasmid transfer may be more likely in biofilm populations, thus creating a conjugation "hotspot". However, there is no clear consensus on the effect of the biofilm lifestyle on plasmid transfer. Therefore, we aimed to explore the transfer of a plasmid in planktonic and biofilm conditions, and the impact of plasmid acquisition on a new bacterial host. Our data show transfer of a resistance plasmid is increased in a biofilm, which may be a significant contributing factor to the rapid dissemination of resistance plasmids in K. pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J. Element
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
| | - Robert A. Moran
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
| | - Emilie Beattie
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca J. Hall
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
| | - Willem van Schaik
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle M.C. Buckner
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
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Darby EM, Trampari E, Siasat P, Gaya MS, Alav I, Webber MA, Blair JMA. Molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance revisited. Nat Rev Microbiol 2023; 21:280-295. [PMID: 36411397 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-022-00820-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 215.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a global health emergency, with resistance detected to all antibiotics currently in clinical use and only a few novel drugs in the pipeline. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that bacteria use to resist the action of antimicrobials is critical to recognize global patterns of resistance and to improve the use of current drugs, as well as for the design of new drugs less susceptible to resistance development and novel strategies to combat resistance. In this Review, we explore recent advances in understanding how resistance genes contribute to the biology of the host, new structural details of relevant molecular events underpinning resistance, the identification of new resistance gene families and the interactions between different resistance mechanisms. Finally, we discuss how we can use this information to develop the next generation of antimicrobial therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Darby
- College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Pauline Siasat
- College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Ilyas Alav
- College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Mark A Webber
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK.
- Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK.
| | - Jessica M A Blair
- College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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7
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Hashimoto Y, Suzuki M, Kobayashi S, Hirahara Y, Kurushima J, Hirakawa H, Nomura T, Tanimoto K, Tomita H. Enterococcal Linear Plasmids Adapt to Enterococcus faecium and Spread within Multidrug-Resistant Clades. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0161922. [PMID: 36975786 PMCID: PMC10112129 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01619-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of bacterial pathogens, including enterococci, is a global concern, and plasmids are crucial for spreading and maintaining AMR genes. Plasmids with linear topology were identified recently in clinical multidrug-resistant enterococci. The enterococcal linear-form plasmids, such as pELF1, confer resistance to clinically important antimicrobials, including vancomycin; however, little information exists about their epidemiological and physiological effects. In this study, we identified several lineages of enterococcal linear plasmids that are structurally conserved and occur globally. pELF1-like linear plasmids show plasticity in acquiring and maintaining AMR genes, often via transposition with the mobile genetic element IS1216E. This linear plasmid family has several characteristics enabling long-term persistence in the bacterial population, including high horizontal self-transmissibility, low-level transcription of plasmid-carried genes, and a moderate effect on the Enterococcus faecium genome alleviating fitness cost and promoting vertical inheritance. Combining all of these factors, the linear plasmid is an important factor in the spread and maintenance of AMR genes among enterococci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Hashimoto
- Department of Bacteriology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Masato Suzuki
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Higashimurayama, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sae Kobayashi
- Department of Bacteriology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Yuki Hirahara
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Jun Kurushima
- Department of Bacteriology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Hidetada Hirakawa
- Department of Bacteriology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Takahiro Nomura
- Department of Bacteriology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Koichi Tanimoto
- Laboratory of Bacterial Drug Resistance, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Haruyoshi Tomita
- Department of Bacteriology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
- Laboratory of Bacterial Drug Resistance, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
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Zhou Y, Wu C, Wang B, Xu Y, Zhao H, Guo Y, Wu X, Yu J, Rao L, Wang X, Yu F. Characterization difference of typical KL1, KL2 and ST11-KL64 hypervirulent and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Drug Resist Updat 2023; 67:100918. [PMID: 36610180 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.100918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Almost all the formation of hypervirulent and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae follow two major patterns: KL1/KL2 hvKP strains acquire carbapenem-resistance plasmids (CR-hvKP), and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) strains obtain virulence plasmids (hv-CRKP). These two patterns may pose different phenotypes. In this study, three typical resistance and hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (KL1, KL2, and ST11-KL64), isolating from poor prognosis patients, were selected. Compared with ST11-KL64 hv-CRKP, KL1/KL2 hypervirulent lineages harbor significantly fewer resistance determinants and exhibited lower-level resistance to antibiotics. Notably, though the blaKPC gene could be detected in all these isolates, KL1/KL2 hvKP strain did not exhibit corresponding high-level carbapenem resistance. Unlike the resistance features, we did not observe significant virulence differences between the three strains. The ST11-KL64 hv-CRKP (1403) in this study, showed similar mucoviscosity, siderophores production, and biofilm production compared with KL1 and KL2 hvKP. Moreover, the hypervirulent of ST11-KL64 hvKP also verified with the human lung epithelial cells infection and G. mellonella infection models. Moreover, we found the pLVPK-like virulence plasmid and IncF blaKPC-2 plasmid was crucial for the formation of hypervirulent and carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae. The conservation of origin of transfer site (oriT) in these virulence and blaKPC-2 plasmids, indicated the virulence plasmids could transfer to CRKP with the help of blaKPC-2 plasmids. The co-existence of virulence plasmid and blaKPC-2 plasmid facilitate the formation of ST11-KL64 hv-CPKP, which then become nosocomial epidemic under the antibiotic stress. The ST11-KL64 hv-CPKP may poses a substantial threat to healthcare networks, urgent measures were needed to prevent further dissemination in nosocomial settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200082, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunyang Wu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, People's Republic of China
| | - Bingjie Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200082, People's Republic of China
| | - YanLei Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200082, People's Republic of China
| | - Huilin Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200082, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinjuan Guo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200082, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaocui Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200082, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingyi Yu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200082, People's Republic of China
| | - Lulin Rao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200082, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyi Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200082, People's Republic of China
| | - Fangyou Yu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200082, People's Republic of China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, People's Republic of China.
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9
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Li F, Wang J, Jiang Y, Guo Y, Liu N, Xiao S, Yao L, Li J, Zhuo C, He N, Liu B, Zhuo C. Adaptive Evolution Compensated for the Plasmid Fitness Costs Brought by Specific Genetic Conflicts. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12010137. [PMID: 36678485 PMCID: PMC9861728 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12010137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM)-carrying IncX3 plasmids is important in the transmission of carbapenem resistance in Escherichia coli. Fitness costs related to plasmid carriage are expected to limit gene exchange; however, the causes of these fitness costs are poorly understood. Compensatory mutations are believed to ameliorate plasmid fitness costs and enable the plasmid's wide spread, suggesting that such costs are caused by specific plasmid-host genetic conflicts. By combining conjugation tests and experimental evolution with comparative genetic analysis, we showed here that the fitness costs related to ndm/IncX3 plasmids in E. coli C600 are caused by co-mutations of multiple host chromosomal genes related to sugar metabolism and cell membrane function. Adaptive evolution revealed that mutations in genes associated with oxidative stress, nucleotide and short-chain fatty acid metabolism, and cell membranes ameliorated the costs associated with plasmid carriage. Specific genetic conflicts associated with the ndm/IncX3 plasmid in E. coli C600 involve metabolism and cell-membrane-related genes, which could be ameliorated by compensatory mutations. Collectively, our findings could explain the wide spread of IncX3 plasmids in bacterial genomes, despite their potential cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510030, China
| | - Jiong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510030, China
| | - Ying Jiang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510030, China
| | - Yingyi Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510030, China
| | - Ningjing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510030, China
| | - Shunian Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510030, China
| | - Likang Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510030, China
| | - Jiahui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510030, China
| | - Chuyue Zhuo
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510030, China
| | - Nanhao He
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510030, China
| | - Baomo Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen Univesity, Guangzhou 510030, China
- Correspondence: (B.L.); (C.Z.)
| | - Chao Zhuo
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510030, China
- Correspondence: (B.L.); (C.Z.)
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10
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Yang Y, He R, Wu Y, Qin M, Chen J, Feng Y, Zhao R, Xu L, Guo X, Tian GB, Dai M, Yan B, Qin LN. Characterization of two multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae harboring tigecycline-resistant gene tet(X4) in China. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1130708. [PMID: 37180274 PMCID: PMC10171367 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1130708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Tigecycline is recognized as one of the last-line antibiotics to treat serious bacterial infection caused by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP). The plasmid-borne gene tet(X4) mediates high resistance to tigecycline. However, the prevalence and genetic context of tet(X4) in K. pneumoniae from various sources are not fully understood. Here, we investigated the prevalence of tet(X4)-positive K. pneumoniae and characterized the genetic context of tet(X4)-bearing plasmids in K. pneumoniae isolates. Methods Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the tet(X4) gene. The transferability of the tet(X4)-carrying plasmids was tested by conjugation assays. The Galleria mellonella infection model was used to test virulence of tet(X4)-positive strains. Whole-genome sequencing and genome-wide analysis were performed to identify the antimicrobial resistance and the virulence genes, and to clarify the genetic characteristics of the tet(X4)-positive isolates. Results Among 921 samples, we identified two tet(X4)-positive K. pneumoniae strains collected from nasal swabs of two pigs (0.22%, 2/921). The two tet(X4)-positive isolates exhibited high minimum inhibitory concentrations to tigecycline (32-256 mg/L) and tetracycline (256 mg/L). The plasmids carrying the tet(X4) gene can transfer from the donor strain K. pneumoniae to the recipient strain Escherichia coli J53. Genetic analysis of the complete sequence of two tet(X4)-carrying plasmids pTKPN_3-186k-tetX4 and pTKPN_8-216k-tetX4 disclosed that the tet(X4) gene was flanked by delta ISCR2 and IS1R, which may mediate the transmission of the tet(X4) gene. Conclusion The prevalence of tet(X4)-positive K. pneumoniae among different sources was low. ISCR2 and IS1R may contribute to the horizontal transfer of tet(X4) gene. Effective measures should be taken to prevent the transmission of tet(X4)-producing K. pneumoniae in humans or animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxian Yang
- Program in Pathobiology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong, China
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruowen He
- Program in Pathobiology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong, China
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Microbiome Medicine Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiping Wu
- Program in Pathobiology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong, China
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mingyang Qin
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
- School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jieyun Chen
- Program in Pathobiology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong, China
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Feng
- Program in Pathobiology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong, China
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Runping Zhao
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Lei Xu
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Xilong Guo
- Program in Pathobiology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong, China
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guo-Bao Tian
- Program in Pathobiology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong, China
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Dai
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
- Min Dai,
| | - Bin Yan
- Program in Pathobiology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong, China
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Neonatal Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, China
- Bin Yan,
| | - Li-Na Qin
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Province Translational Forensic Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Li-Na Qin,
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11
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Genomics, Transcriptomics, and Metabolomics Reveal That Minimal Modifications in the Host Are Crucial for the Compensatory Evolution of ColE1-Like Plasmids. mSphere 2022; 7:e0018422. [PMID: 36416553 PMCID: PMC9769657 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00184-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmid-mediated antimicrobial resistance is one of the major threats to public health worldwide. The mechanisms involved in the plasmid/host coadaptation are still poorly characterized, and their understanding is crucial to comprehend the genesis and evolution of multidrug-resistant bacteria. With this purpose, we designed an experimental evolution using Haemophilus influenzae RdKW20 as the model strain carrying the ColE1-like plasmid pB1000. Five H. influenzae populations adapted previously to the culture conditions were transformed with pB1000 and subsequently evolved to compensate for the plasmid-associated fitness cost. Afterward, we performed an integrative multiomic analysis combining genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics to explore the molecular mechanisms involved in the compensatory evolution of the plasmid. Our results demonstrate that minimal modifications in the host are responsible for plasmid adaptation. Among all of them, the most enriched process was amino acid metabolism, especially those pathways related to serine, tryptophan, and arginine, eventually related to the genesis and resolution of plasmid dimers. Additional rearrangements occurred during the plasmid adaptation, such as an overexpression of the ribonucleotide reductases and metabolic modifications within specific membrane phospholipids. All these findings demonstrate that the plasmid compensation occurs through the combination of diverse host-mediated mechanisms, of which some are beyond genomic and transcriptomic modifications. IMPORTANCE The ability of bacteria to horizontally transfer genetic material has turned antimicrobial resistance into one of the major sanitary crises of the 21st century. Plasmid conjugation is considered the main mechanism responsible for the mobilization of resistance genes, and its understanding is crucial to tackle this crisis. It is generally accepted that the acquisition and maintenance of mobile genetic elements entail a fitness cost to its host, which is susceptible to be alleviated through a coadaptation process or compensatory evolution. Notwithstanding, despite recent major efforts, the underlying mechanisms involved in this adaptation remain poorly characterized. Analyzing the plasmid/host coadaptation from a multiomic perspective sheds light on the physiological processes involved in the compensation, providing a new understanding on the genesis and evolution of plasmid-mediated antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.
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12
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Shropshire WC, Konovalova A, McDaneld P, Gohel M, Strope B, Sahasrabhojane P, Tran CN, Greenberg D, Kim J, Zhan X, Aitken S, Bhatti M, Savidge TC, Treangen TJ, Hanson BM, Arias CA, Shelburne SA. Systematic Analysis of Mobile Genetic Elements Mediating β-Lactamase Gene Amplification in Noncarbapenemase-Producing Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales Bloodstream Infections. mSystems 2022; 7:e0047622. [PMID: 36036505 PMCID: PMC9601100 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00476-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Noncarbapenemase-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (non-CP-CRE) are increasingly recognized as important contributors to prevalent carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) infections. However, there is limited understanding of mechanisms underlying non-CP-CRE causing invasive disease. Long- and short-read whole-genome sequencing was used to elucidate carbapenem nonsusceptibility determinants in Enterobacterales bloodstream isolates at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. We investigated carbapenem nonsusceptible Enterobacterales (CNSE) mechanisms (i.e., isolates with carbapenem intermediate resistance phenotypes or greater) through a combination of phylogenetic analysis, antimicrobial resistance gene detection/copy number quantification, porin assessment, and mobile genetic element (MGE) characterization. Most CNSE isolates sequenced were non-CP-CRE (41/79; 51.9%), whereas 25.3% (20/79) were Enterobacterales with intermediate susceptibility to carbapenems (CIE), and 22.8% (18/79) were carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE). Statistically significant copy number variants (CNVs) of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes (Wilcoxon Test; P-value < 0.001) were present in both non-CP-CR E. coli (median CNV = 2.6×; n = 17) and K. pneumoniae (median CNV = 3.2×, n = 17). All non-CP-CR E. coli and K. pneumoniae had predicted reduced expression of at least one outer membrane porin gene (i.e., ompC/ompF or ompK36/ompK35). Completely resolved CNSE genomes revealed that IS26 and ISEcp1 structures harboring blaCTX-M variants along with other antimicrobial resistance elements were associated with gene amplification, occurring in mostly IncFIB/IncFII plasmid contexts. MGE-mediated β-lactamase gene amplifications resulted in either tandem arrays, primarily mediated by IS26 translocatable units, or segmental duplication, typically due to ISEcp1 transposition units. Non-CP-CRE strains were the most common cause of CRE bacteremia with carbapenem nonsusceptibility driven by concurrent porin loss and MGE-mediated amplification of blaCTX-M genes. IMPORTANCE Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) are considered urgent antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threats. The vast majority of CRE research has focused on carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) even though noncarbapenemase-producing CRE (non-CP-CRE) comprise 50% or more of isolates in some surveillance studies. Thus, carbapenem resistance mechanisms in non-CP-CRE remain poorly characterized. To address this problem, we applied a combination of short- and long-read sequencing technologies to a cohort of CRE bacteremia isolates and used these data to unravel complex mobile genetic element structures mediating β-lactamase gene amplification. By generating complete genomes of 65 carbapenem nonsusceptible Enterobacterales (CNSE) covering a genetically diverse array of isolates, our findings both generate novel insights into how non-CP-CRE overcome carbapenem treatments and provide researchers scaffolds for characterization of their own non-CP-CRE isolates. Improved recognition of mechanisms driving development of non-CP-CRE could assist with design and implementation of future strategies to mitigate the impact of these increasingly recognized AMR pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- W. C. Shropshire
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - A. Konovalova
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - P. McDaneld
- Division of Pharmacy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - M. Gohel
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - B. Strope
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - P. Sahasrabhojane
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - C. N. Tran
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - D. Greenberg
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Microbiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - J. Kim
- Department of Bioinformatics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - X. Zhan
- Department of Bioinformatics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - S. Aitken
- Division of Pharmacy, Michigan Medicine at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - M. Bhatti
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - T. C. Savidge
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pathology, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - T. J. Treangen
- Department of Computer Science, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - B. M. Hanson
- Center for Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - C. A. Arias
- Department of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - S. A. Shelburne
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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13
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Dereeper A, Gruel G, Pot M, Couvin D, Barbier E, Bastian S, Bambou JC, Gelu-Simeon M, Ferdinand S, Guyomard-Rabenirina S, Passet V, Martino F, Piveteau P, Reynaud Y, Rodrigues C, Roger PM, Roy X, Talarmin A, Tressieres B, Valette M, Brisse S, Breurec S. Limited Transmission of Klebsiella pneumoniae among Humans, Animals, and the Environment in a Caribbean Island, Guadeloupe (French West Indies). Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0124222. [PMID: 36094181 PMCID: PMC9603589 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01242-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Guadeloupe (French West Indies), a Caribbean island, is an ideal place to study the reservoirs of the Klebsiella pneumoniae species complex (KpSC) and identify the routes of transmission between human and nonhuman sources due to its insularity, small population size, and small area. Here, we report an analysis of 590 biological samples, 546 KpSC isolates, and 331 genome sequences collected between January 2018 and May 2019. The KpSC appears to be common whatever the source. Extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing isolates (21.4%) belonged to K. pneumoniae sensu stricto (phylogroup Kp1), and all but one were recovered from the hospital setting. The distribution of species and phylogroups across the different niches was clearly nonrandom, with a distinct separation of Kp1 and Klebsiella variicola (Kp3). The most frequent sequence types (STs) (≥5 isolates) were previously recognized as high-risk multidrug-resistant (MDR) clones, namely, ST17, ST307, ST11, ST147, ST152, and ST45. Only 8 out of the 63 STs (12.7%) associated with human isolates were also found in nonhuman sources. A total of 22 KpSC isolates were defined as hypervirulent: 15 associated with human infections (9.8% of all human isolates), 4 (8.9%) associated with dogs, and 3 (15%) associated with pigs. Most of the human isolates (33.3%) belonged to the globally successful sublineage CG23-I. ST86 was the only clone shared by a human and a nonhuman (dog) source. Our work shows the limited transmission of KpSC isolates between human and nonhuman sources and points to the hospital setting as a cornerstone of the spread of MDR clones and antibiotic resistance genes. IMPORTANCE In this study, we characterized the presence and genomic features of isolates of the Klebsiella pneumoniae species complex (KpSC) from human and nonhuman sources in Guadeloupe (French West Indies) in order to identify the reservoirs and routes of transmission. This is the first study in an island environment, an ideal setting that limits the contribution of external imports. Our data showed the limited transmission of KpSC isolates between the different compartments. In contrast, we identified the hospital setting as the epicenter of antibiotic resistance due to the nosocomial spread of successful multidrug-resistant (MDR) K. pneumoniae clones and antibiotic resistance genes. Ecological barriers and/or limited exposure may restrict spread from the hospital setting to other reservoirs and vice versa. These results highlight the need for control strategies focused on health care centers, using genomic surveillance to limit the spread, particularly of high-risk clones, of this important group of MDR pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Dereeper
- Transmission, Reservoir and Diversity of Pathogens Unit, Pasteur Institute of Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
| | - Gaëlle Gruel
- Transmission, Reservoir and Diversity of Pathogens Unit, Pasteur Institute of Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
| | - Matthieu Pot
- Transmission, Reservoir and Diversity of Pathogens Unit, Pasteur Institute of Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
| | - David Couvin
- Transmission, Reservoir and Diversity of Pathogens Unit, Pasteur Institute of Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
| | - Elodie Barbier
- UMR AgroEcologie, INRAE, Bourgogne Franche-Comté University, Dijon, France
| | - Sylvaine Bastian
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital Center of Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre/Les Abymes, France
| | | | - Moana Gelu-Simeon
- Hepato-Gastroenterology Department, University Hospital Center of Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre/Les Abymes, France
| | - Séverine Ferdinand
- Transmission, Reservoir and Diversity of Pathogens Unit, Pasteur Institute of Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
| | | | - Virginie Passet
- Institut Pasteur, University Paris Cité, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
| | - Frederic Martino
- Intensive Care Department, University Hospital Center of Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre/Les Abymes, France
| | | | - Yann Reynaud
- Transmission, Reservoir and Diversity of Pathogens Unit, Pasteur Institute of Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
| | - Carla Rodrigues
- Institut Pasteur, University Paris Cité, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
| | - Pierre-Marie Roger
- Infectious Disease Department, University Hospital Center of Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre/Les Abymes, France
- Faculty of Medecine Hyacinthe Bastaraud, University of the Antilles, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
| | - Xavier Roy
- Veterinary Clinic, Baie-Mahault, Guadeloupe
| | - Antoine Talarmin
- Transmission, Reservoir and Diversity of Pathogens Unit, Pasteur Institute of Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
| | - Benoit Tressieres
- INSERM Center for Clinical Investigation 1424, Pointe-à-Pitre/Les Abymes, France
| | - Marc Valette
- Intensive Care Department, University Hospital Center of Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre/Les Abymes, France
| | - Sylvain Brisse
- Institut Pasteur, University Paris Cité, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
| | - Sébastien Breurec
- Transmission, Reservoir and Diversity of Pathogens Unit, Pasteur Institute of Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital Center of Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre/Les Abymes, France
- Faculty of Medecine Hyacinthe Bastaraud, University of the Antilles, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
- INSERM Center for Clinical Investigation 1424, Pointe-à-Pitre/Les Abymes, France
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14
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Low WW, Wong JLC, Beltran LC, Seddon C, David S, Kwong HS, Bizeau T, Wang F, Peña A, Costa TRD, Pham B, Chen M, Egelman EH, Beis K, Frankel G. Mating pair stabilization mediates bacterial conjugation species specificity. Nat Microbiol 2022; 7:1016-1027. [PMID: 35697796 PMCID: PMC9246713 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-022-01146-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial conjugation mediates contact-dependent transfer of DNA from donor to recipient bacteria, thus facilitating the spread of virulence and resistance plasmids. Here we describe how variants of the plasmid-encoded donor outer membrane (OM) protein TraN cooperate with distinct OM receptors in recipients to mediate mating pair stabilization and efficient DNA transfer. We show that TraN from the plasmid pKpQIL (Klebsiella pneumoniae) interacts with OmpK36, plasmids from R100-1 (Shigella flexneri) and pSLT (Salmonella Typhimurium) interact with OmpW, and the prototypical F plasmid (Escherichia coli) interacts with OmpA. Cryo-EM analysis revealed that TraNpKpQIL interacts with OmpK36 through the insertion of a β-hairpin in the tip of TraN into a monomer of the OmpK36 porin trimer. Combining bioinformatic analysis with AlphaFold structural predictions, we identified a fourth TraN structural variant that mediates mating pair stabilization by binding OmpF. Accordingly, we devised a classification scheme for TraN homologues on the basis of structural similarity and their associated receptors: TraNα (OmpW), TraNβ (OmpK36), TraNγ (OmpA), TraNδ (OmpF). These TraN-OM receptor pairings have real-world implications as they reflect the distribution of resistance plasmids within clinical Enterobacteriaceae isolates, demonstrating the importance of mating pair stabilization in mediating conjugation species specificity. These findings will allow us to predict the distribution of emerging resistance plasmids in high-risk bacterial pathogens. Combining conjugation and structural analyses, the authors show that TraN-OMP pairings determine bacterial conjugation species specificity, with implications in resistance plasmid distribution within Enterobacteriaceae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Wen Low
- MRC Centre for Molecular Microbiology and Infection, Imperial College, London, UK.,Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Joshua L C Wong
- MRC Centre for Molecular Microbiology and Infection, Imperial College, London, UK.,Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Leticia C Beltran
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Chloe Seddon
- MRC Centre for Molecular Microbiology and Infection, Imperial College, London, UK.,Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, UK.,Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Research Complex at Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Sophia David
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Hok-Sau Kwong
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, UK.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Tatiana Bizeau
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Fengbin Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Alejandro Peña
- MRC Centre for Molecular Microbiology and Infection, Imperial College, London, UK.,Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Tiago R D Costa
- MRC Centre for Molecular Microbiology and Infection, Imperial College, London, UK.,Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Bach Pham
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Min Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Edward H Egelman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Konstantinos Beis
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, UK.,Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Research Complex at Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Gad Frankel
- MRC Centre for Molecular Microbiology and Infection, Imperial College, London, UK. .,Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, UK.
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15
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Chiș AA, Rus LL, Morgovan C, Arseniu AM, Frum A, Vonica-Țincu AL, Gligor FG, Mureșan ML, Dobrea CM. Microbial Resistance to Antibiotics and Effective Antibiotherapy. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051121. [PMID: 35625857 PMCID: PMC9138529 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, the efficacy of antibiotics is severely affected by the emergence of the antimicrobial resistance phenomenon, leading to increased morbidity and mortality worldwide. Multidrug-resistant pathogens are found not only in hospital settings, but also in the community, and are considered one of the biggest public health concerns. The main mechanisms by which bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics include changes in the drug target, prevention of entering the cell, elimination through efflux pumps or inactivation of drugs. A better understanding and prediction of resistance patterns of a pathogen will lead to a better selection of active antibiotics for the treatment of multidrug-resistant infections.
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16
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Guo R, Li G, Lu L, Sun S, Liu T, Li M, Zheng Y, Walhout AJM, Wu J, Li H. The Plasmid pEX18Gm Indirectly Increases Caenorhabditis elegans Fecundity by Accelerating Bacterial Methionine Synthesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5003. [PMID: 35563392 PMCID: PMC9102816 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmids are mostly found in bacteria as extrachromosomal genetic elements and are widely used in genetic engineering. Exploring the mechanisms of plasmid-host interaction can provide crucial information for the application of plasmids in genetic engineering. However, many studies have generally focused on the influence of plasmids on their bacterial hosts, and the effects of plasmids on bacteria-feeding animals have not been explored in detail. Here, we use a "plasmid-bacteria-Caenorhabditis elegans" model to explore the impact of plasmids on their host bacteria and bacterivorous nematodes. First, the phenotypic responses of C. elegans were observed by feeding Escherichia coli OP50 harboring different types of plasmids. We found that E. coli OP50 harboring plasmid pEX18Gm unexpectedly increases the fecundity of C. elegans. Subsequently, we found that the plasmid pEX18Gm indirectly affects C. elegans fecundity via bacterial metabolism. To explore the underlying regulatory mechanism, we performed bacterial RNA sequencing and performed in-depth analysis. We demonstrated that the plasmid pEX18Gm upregulates the transcription of methionine synthase gene metH in the bacteria, which results in an increase in methionine that supports C. elegans fecundity. Additionally, we found that a pEX18Gm-induced increase in C. elegans can occur in different bacterial species. Our findings highlight the plasmid-bacteria-C. elegans model to reveal the mechanism of plasmids' effects on their host and provide a new pattern for systematically studying the interaction between plasmids and multi-species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Guo
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (R.G.); (G.L.); (L.L.); (S.S.); (T.L.)
- Department of Systems Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA;
| | - Gen Li
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (R.G.); (G.L.); (L.L.); (S.S.); (T.L.)
| | - Leilei Lu
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (R.G.); (G.L.); (L.L.); (S.S.); (T.L.)
| | - Shan Sun
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (R.G.); (G.L.); (L.L.); (S.S.); (T.L.)
| | - Ting Liu
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (R.G.); (G.L.); (L.L.); (S.S.); (T.L.)
| | - Mengsha Li
- College of Science & Technology, Ningbo University, Cixi 315300, China;
| | - Yong Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China;
| | - Albertha J. M. Walhout
- Department of Systems Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA;
| | - Jun Wu
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (R.G.); (G.L.); (L.L.); (S.S.); (T.L.)
| | - Huixin Li
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (R.G.); (G.L.); (L.L.); (S.S.); (T.L.)
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing 210014, China
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17
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Multicenter Genomic Analysis of Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae from Bacteremia in China. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0229021. [PMID: 35230130 PMCID: PMC9045280 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02290-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the most common Gram-negative bacilli isolated from bloodstream infections worldwide, and recently an increased rate of carbapenem resistance has been reported in this pathogen. This study aims to describe the genomic characteristics of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) isolated from patients with bacteremia in China. We analyzed 147 isolates from patients with bacteremia attended in 12 referral hospitals in China between April 2015 and November 2018. We conducted a phenotypic susceptibility evaluation and whole genome sequence analysis to characterize antimicrobial resistance profile, virulence genes, and dominant clones among CRKP. ST11 accounted for most infections (n = 98, 66.6%), followed by ST45 (n = 12, 8.2%), ST15 and ST290 (n = 8, 5.4% each). KPC (n = 98, 66.7%) and NDM (n = 27, 18.4%) are the main carbapenemases detected in the CRKP isolates. We detected yersiniabactin (n = 123, 83.7%) and aerobactin (49.9%) siderophores, and both rmpA and aerobactin genes in 21 ST11 isolates (21.43%), which are considered characteristic biomarkers of hypervirulent strains. Isolates showed high resistance rates to the β-lactams (>90%) and other antibiotics classes such as fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides and tetracyclines (50%), but were susceptible to ceftazidime-avibactam (74.8%). In addition, we detected intra-hospital transmission of ST11 and ST45 strains in single and multiple wards in several hospitals, whereas inter-hospital transmission was relatively uncommon. In summary, we observed significantly genomic diversity of CRKP bacteremia isolates in China, although KPC-2 producing ST11 strains were found to be the most common clonal types. Reducing intra-hospital transmission remains to be the key to control CRKP caused bloodstream infections in China. IMPORTANCE K. pneumoniae is one of the most frequent Gram-negative bacilli isolated from bloodstream infections worldwide and recent studies have shown an increased rate of carbapenem resistance in China. Among carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) diverse clones have been reported, especially the high-risk clone ST11, which also exhibited a multidrug resistant phenotype. In addition to the antimicrobial resistance, previous studies have detected strains co-harboring virulent traits, highlighting the potential of transmission of both antimicrobial resistant and virulent strains. Here we studied the antimicrobial resistance profile, virulence genes and hospital transmission of CRKP from bacteremic patients in China. This study showed a high clonal diversity among CRKP, with the predominance of ST11 lineages. We detected virulence markers among multidrug resistant strains, and a high number of genetically similar isolates, suggesting intra-hospital transmission within single and multiple wards. Reducing intra-hospital transmission remains to be the key to control CRKP caused bacteremia in China.
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18
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Domingues CPF, Rebelo JS, Monteiro F, Nogueira T, Dionisio F. Harmful behaviour through plasmid transfer: a successful evolutionary strategy of bacteria harbouring conjugative plasmids. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20200473. [PMID: 34839709 PMCID: PMC8628071 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Conjugative plasmids are extrachromosomal mobile genetic elements pervasive among bacteria. Plasmids' acquisition often lowers cells' growth rate, so their ubiquity has been a matter of debate. Chromosomes occasionally mutate, rendering plasmids cost-free. However, these compensatory mutations typically take hundreds of generations to appear after plasmid arrival. By then, it could be too late to compete with fast-growing plasmid-free cells successfully. Moreover, arriving plasmids would have to wait hundreds of generations for compensatory mutations to appear in the chromosome of their new host. We hypothesize that plasmid-donor cells may use the plasmid as a 'weapon' to compete with plasmid-free cells, particularly in structured environments. Cells already adapted to plasmids may increase their inclusive fitness through plasmid transfer to impose a cost to nearby plasmid-free cells and increase the replication opportunities of nearby relatives. A mathematical model suggests conditions under which the proposed hypothesis works, and computer simulations tested the long-term plasmid maintenance. Our hypothesis explains the maintenance of conjugative plasmids not coding for beneficial genes. This article is part of the theme issue 'The secret lives of microbial mobile genetic elements'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Célia P. F. Domingues
- Evolutionary Ecology of Microorganisms Group, cE3c – Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal,INIAV - Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, I.P., Oeiras and Vairão, Portugal
| | - João S. Rebelo
- Evolutionary Ecology of Microorganisms Group, cE3c – Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Francisca Monteiro
- Evolutionary Ecology of Microorganisms Group, cE3c – Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Teresa Nogueira
- Evolutionary Ecology of Microorganisms Group, cE3c – Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal,INIAV - Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, I.P., Oeiras and Vairão, Portugal
| | - Francisco Dionisio
- Evolutionary Ecology of Microorganisms Group, cE3c – Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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19
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Duan C, Cao H, Zhang LH, Xu Z. Harnessing the CRISPR-Cas Systems to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:716064. [PMID: 34489905 PMCID: PMC8418092 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.716064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria has become one of the most serious threats to global health, necessitating the development of novel antimicrobial strategies. CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)-Cas (CRISPR-associated) system, known as a bacterial adaptive immune system, can be repurposed to selectively target and destruct bacterial genomes other than invasive genetic elements. Thus, the CRISPR-Cas system offers an attractive option for the development of the next-generation antimicrobials to combat infectious diseases especially those caused by AMR pathogens. However, the application of CRISPR-Cas antimicrobials remains at a very preliminary stage and numerous obstacles await to be solved. In this mini-review, we summarize the development of using type I, type II, and type VI CRISPR-Cas antimicrobials to eradicate AMR pathogens and plasmids in the past a few years. We also discuss the most common challenges in applying CRISPR-Cas antimicrobials and potential solutions to overcome them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Duan
- Integrative Microbiology Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huiluo Cao
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lian-Hui Zhang
- Integrative Microbiology Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zeling Xu
- Integrative Microbiology Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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20
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Lee H, Ko KS. Effect of multiple, compatible plasmids on the fitness of the bacterial host by inducing transcriptional changes. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 76:2528-2537. [PMID: 34279638 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkab240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Bacteria that acquire plasmids incur a biological cost. Despite this fact, clinical Enterobacteriaceae isolates commonly contain multiple co-existing plasmids harbouring carbapenemase genes. METHODS Six different plasmids carrying blaNDM-1, blaNDM-5, blaCTX-M-15, blaKPC-2, blaOXA-181 and blaOXA-232 genes were obtained from Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli clinical isolates. Using the E. coli DH5α strain as recipient, 14 transconjugants with diverse plasmid combinations (single or double plasmids) were generated. For each of these, the effects of plasmid carriage on the bacterial host were investigated using in vitro and in vivo competition assays; additionally, the effects were investigated in the context of biofilm formation, serum resistance and survival inside macrophages. Transcriptomic changes in single- and double-plasmid recipients were also investigated. RESULTS Increased in vitro and in vivo competitiveness was observed when two plasmids carrying blaNDM-1 and blaOXA-232 were co-introduced into the host bacteria. However, DH5α::pNDM5 + pOXA232 and other double-plasmid recipients did not show such competitiveness. DH5α::pNDM5 + pOXA181 did not show any fitness cost compared with a plasmid-free host and single-plasmid transconjugants, while both the double-plasmid recipients with pCTXM15 or pKPC2 exhibited a fitness burden. The double-plasmid recipient DH5α::pNDM1 + pOXA232 also exhibited increased biofilm formation, serum resistance and survival inside macrophages. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the genes of DH5α::pNDM1 + pOXA232 involved in metabolic pathways, transport and stress response were up-regulated, while those involved in translation were down-regulated. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that bacterial strains can gain fitness through the acquisition of multiple plasmids harbouring antibiotic resistance genes, which may be mediated by transcriptomic changes in the chromosomal genes of the bacterial host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haejeong Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwan Soo Ko
- Department of Microbiology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
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21
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Dunn S, Carrilero L, Brockhurst M, McNally A. Limited and Strain-Specific Transcriptional and Growth Responses to Acquisition of a Multidrug Resistance Plasmid in Genetically Diverse Escherichia coli Lineages. mSystems 2021; 6:e00083-21. [PMID: 33906912 PMCID: PMC8092126 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00083-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli strains are a major global threat to human health, wherein multidrug resistance is primarily spread by MDR plasmid acquisition. MDR plasmids are not widely distributed across the entire E. coli species, but instead are concentrated in a small number of clones. Here, we test if diverse E. coli strains vary in their ability to acquire and maintain MDR plasmids and if this relates to their transcriptional response following plasmid acquisition. We used strains from across the diversity of E. coli strains, including the common MDR lineage sequence type 131 (ST131) and the IncF plasmid pLL35, carrying multiple antibiotic resistance genes. Strains varied in their ability to acquire pLL35 by conjugation, but all were able to stably maintain the plasmid. The effects of pLL35 acquisition on cefotaxime resistance and growth also varied among strains, with growth responses ranging from a small decrease to a small increase in growth of the plasmid carrier relative to the parental strain. Transcriptional responses to pLL35 acquisition were limited in scale and highly strain specific. We observed transcriptional responses at the operon or regulon level-possibly due to stress responses or interactions with resident mobile genetic elements (MGEs). Subtle transcriptional responses consistent across all strains were observed affecting functions, such as anaerobic metabolism, previously shown to be under negative frequency-dependent selection in MDR E. coli Overall, there was no correlation between the magnitudes of the transcriptional and growth responses across strains. Together, these data suggest that fitness costs arising from transcriptional disruption are unlikely to act as a barrier to dissemination of this MDR plasmid in E. coli IMPORTANCE Plasmids play a key role in bacterial evolution by transferring adaptive functions between lineages that often enable invasion of new niches, including driving the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. Fitness costs of plasmid acquisition arising from the disruption of cellular processes could limit the spread of multidrug resistance plasmids. However, the impacts of plasmid acquisition are typically measured in lab-adapted strains rather than natural isolates, which act as reservoirs for the maintenance and transmission of plasmids to clinically relevant strains. Using a clinical multidrug resistance plasmid and a diverse collection of E. coli strains isolated from clinical infections and natural environments, we show that plasmid acquisition had only limited and highly strain-specific effects on bacterial growth and transcription under laboratory conditions. These findings suggest that fitness costs arising from transcriptional disruption are unlikely to act as a barrier to transmission of this plasmid in natural populations of E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Dunn
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Carrilero
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Brockhurst
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Alan McNally
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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22
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Kloos J, Gama JA, Hegstad J, Samuelsen Ø, Johnsen PJ. Piggybacking on Niche Adaptation Improves the Maintenance of Multidrug-Resistance Plasmids. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:3188-3201. [PMID: 33760032 PMCID: PMC8321521 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The persistence of plasmids in bacterial populations represents a puzzling evolutionary problem with serious clinical implications due to their role in the ongoing antibiotic resistance crisis. Recently, major advancements have been made toward resolving this “plasmid paradox” but mainly in a nonclinical context. Here, we propose an additional explanation for the maintenance of multidrug‐resistance plasmids in clinical Escherichia coli strains. After coevolving two multidrug‐resistance plasmids encoding resistance to last resort carbapenems with an extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli strain, we observed that chromosomal media adaptive mutations in the global regulatory systems CCR (carbon catabolite repression) and ArcAB (aerobic respiration control) pleiotropically improved the maintenance of both plasmids. Mechanistically, a net downregulation of plasmid gene expression reduced the fitness cost. Our results suggest that global chromosomal transcriptional rewiring during bacterial niche adaptation may facilitate plasmid maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Kloos
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - João A Gama
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Joachim Hegstad
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.,Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Ørjan Samuelsen
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.,Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Detection of Antimicrobial Resistance, Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Pål J Johnsen
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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23
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A global perspective on the convergence of hypervirulence and carbapenem resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2021; 25:26-34. [PMID: 33667703 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2021.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypervirulence and carbapenem resistance have emerged as two distinct evolutionary directions for Klebsiella pneumoniae, which pose a great threat in clinical settings. Multiple virulence factors contribute to hypervirulence, and the mechanisms of carbapenem resistance are complicated. However, more and more K. pneumoniae strains have been identified in recent years integrating both phenotypes, resulting in devastating clinical outcomes. Hypervirulent and carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CR-hvKP) emerged in the early 2010s and thereafter have become increasingly prevalent. CR-hvKP are primarily prevalent in Asia, especially China, but are reported all over the world. Mechanisms for the emergence of CR-hvKP can be summarised by three patterns: (i) carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) acquiring a hypervirulent phenotype; (ii) hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (hvKP) acquiring a carbapenem-resistant phenotype; and (iii) K. pneumoniae acquiring both a carbapenem resistance and hypervirulence hybrid plasmid. With their global dissemination, continued surveillance of the emergence of CR-hvKP should be more highly prioritised.
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24
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Prensky H, Gomez‐Simmonds A, Uhlemann A, Lopatkin AJ. Conjugation dynamics depend on both the plasmid acquisition cost and the fitness cost. Mol Syst Biol 2021; 17:e9913. [PMID: 33646643 PMCID: PMC7919528 DOI: 10.15252/msb.20209913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmid conjugation is a major mechanism responsible for the spread of antibiotic resistance. Plasmid fitness costs are known to impact long-term growth dynamics of microbial populations by providing plasmid-carrying cells a relative (dis)advantage compared to plasmid-free counterparts. Separately, plasmid acquisition introduces an immediate, but transient, metabolic perturbation. However, the impact of these short-term effects on subsequent growth dynamics has not previously been established. Here, we observed that de novo transconjugants grew significantly slower and/or with overall prolonged lag times, compared to lineages that had been replicating for several generations, indicating the presence of a plasmid acquisition cost. These effects were general to diverse incompatibility groups, well-characterized and clinically captured plasmids, Gram-negative recipient strains and species, and experimental conditions. Modeling revealed that both fitness and acquisition costs modulate overall conjugation dynamics, validated with previously published data. These results suggest that the hours immediately following conjugation may play a critical role in both short- and long-term plasmid prevalence. This time frame is particularly relevant to microbiomes with high plasmid/strain diversity considered to be hot spots for conjugation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Angela Gomez‐Simmonds
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of MedicineColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Anne‐Catrin Uhlemann
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of MedicineColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Allison J Lopatkin
- Department of BiologyBarnard CollegeNew YorkNYUSA
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental BiologyColumbia UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
- Data Science InstituteColumbia UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
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25
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Reyes J, Cárdenas P, Tamayo R, Villavicencio F, Aguilar A, Melano RG, Trueba G. Characterization of blaKPC-2-Harboring Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates and Mobile Genetic Elements from Outbreaks in a Hospital in Ecuador. Microb Drug Resist 2020; 27:752-759. [PMID: 33217245 DOI: 10.1089/mdr.2019.0433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To investigate the mobile genetic elements harboring blaKPC gene in carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae recovered during a 6-month outbreak in a high-complexity hospital from Ecuador. Results: A total of 62 isolates belonging to ST258 pilv-I-positive (n = 45), ST25 serotype K2 (n = 8), ST348 (n = 6), ST42 (n = 1), ST196 (n = 1), and ST1758 (n = 1) were collected from intensive care unit (ICU), neurosurgery, burn unit, internal medicine, pneumology, and neurology. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis showed two major clusters of ST258 and ST25 related to bloodstream infections and pneumonia circulating in ICU. The PCR assay showed that in non-ST258 isolates, the blaKPC-2 gene were located on the Tn4401a transposon inserted in the transferable pKpQIL-like IncFIIK2 plasmid; the whole-genome sequencing of ST258 clone showed two plasmids, the blaKPC-2 gene was located on nonconjugative IncR plasmid, whereas the IncFIB/IncFII plasmid lacked ß-lactamase genes. We found an IncM plasmid in blaKPC-2-harboring Klebsiella pneumoniae ST1758 clone. Conclusions: These findings highlight the presence of pKpQIL-like plasmids in non-ST258 and nonconjugative plasmids in ST258 isolates causing hospital outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Reyes
- Instituto de Microbiología, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador.,Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Paúl Cárdenas
- Instituto de Microbiología, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Rafael Tamayo
- Centro de Referencia Nacional de Resistencia a los antimicrobianos "LIP," Quito, Ecuador
| | - Fernando Villavicencio
- Centro de Referencia Nacional de Resistencia a los antimicrobianos "LIP," Quito, Ecuador
| | - Ana Aguilar
- Instituto de Microbiología, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador.,Escuela de Medicina, Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud (COCSA), Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Roberto G Melano
- Public Health Ontario Laboratory, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Gabriel Trueba
- Instituto de Microbiología, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
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26
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Dissemination and Stability of the bla NDM-5-Carrying IncX3-Type Plasmid among Multiclonal Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates. mSphere 2020; 5:5/6/e00917-20. [PMID: 33148824 PMCID: PMC7643832 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00917-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence and spread of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM)-producing Enterobacteriaceae have been a serious challenge to public health, and NDM-5 shows increased resistance to carbapenems compared with other variants. NDM-5 has been identified mostly in E. coli but has rarely been described in K. pneumoniae and other Enterobacteriaceae isolates. Here, we present the dissemination of highly similar 46-kb IncX3 blaNDM-5-carrying plasmids among multiclonal K. pneumoniae strains in children, highlighting the horizontal gene transfer of blaNDM-5 among K. pneumoniae strains via the IncX3 plasmid. Moreover, the IncX3 blaNDM-5-carrying plasmids displayed strong stability in clinical strains when cultured in antibiotic-free medium, and the plasmid maintenance was attributed partly to conjugal transfer. Plasmid conjugation is mediated by the type IV secretion system (T4SS), and T4SS is conserved among all epidemic IncX3 blaNDM-5-carrying plasmids. Therefore, combining conjugation inhibition and promotion of plasmid loss would be an effective strategy to limit the conjugation-assisted persistence of IncX3 blaNDM-5-carrying plasmids. NDM-5 carbapenemase was mainly identified in Escherichia coli, while the rapid transmission of blaNDM-5 among Enterobacteriaceae has raised serious public attention. This study identified 14 NDM-5-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from 107 carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates, recovered from blood, urine, and normally sterile body fluids of pediatric patients from January 2016 to December 2018. All NDM-5-producing isolates were highly resistant to β-lactams, while tigecycline and polymyxin B exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity. These 14 strains belonged to 9 different sequence types (STs) and displayed various pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns, suggesting that they were not clonally related. S1-PFGE followed by Southern blotting showed that the blaNDM-5 gene was located on an ∼46-kb IncX3 plasmid in all strains. All blaNDM-5-carrying plasmids were successfully transferred into recipient E. coli J53. PCR-based sequencing demonstrated that all of the blaNDM-5-carrying plasmids shared highly similar backbones, with nucleotide sequence identity of >99%. Moreover, this plasmid displayed high sequence similarity to the previously reported epidemic IncX3 blaNDM-5-carrying plasmids, with dynamic changes observed only in blaNDM-5-surrounding elements. Interestingly, the IncX3 blaNDM-5-carrying plasmids showed strong stability in clinical isolates when cultured in antibiotic-free medium. However, after the conjugation inhibitor linoleic acid was added, a gradual increase in the level of IncX3 plasmid loss could be observed. Clinical isolates displayed 10% to 15% blaNDM-5-carrying plasmid loss after coculture with linoleic acid for 5 days. These results showed that the IncX3 plasmid facilitated the dissemination of blaNDM-5 among multiclonal K. pneumoniae strains in children and that conjugal transfer contributed significantly to IncX3 plasmid stability within K. pneumoniae. IMPORTANCE The emergence and spread of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM)-producing Enterobacteriaceae have been a serious challenge to public health, and NDM-5 shows increased resistance to carbapenems compared with other variants. NDM-5 has been identified mostly in E. coli but has rarely been described in K. pneumoniae and other Enterobacteriaceae isolates. Here, we present the dissemination of highly similar 46-kb IncX3 blaNDM-5-carrying plasmids among multiclonal K. pneumoniae strains in children, highlighting the horizontal gene transfer of blaNDM-5 among K. pneumoniae strains via the IncX3 plasmid. Moreover, the IncX3 blaNDM-5-carrying plasmids displayed strong stability in clinical strains when cultured in antibiotic-free medium, and the plasmid maintenance was attributed partly to conjugal transfer. Plasmid conjugation is mediated by the type IV secretion system (T4SS), and T4SS is conserved among all epidemic IncX3 blaNDM-5-carrying plasmids. Therefore, combining conjugation inhibition and promotion of plasmid loss would be an effective strategy to limit the conjugation-assisted persistence of IncX3 blaNDM-5-carrying plasmids.
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27
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Hu Y, Anes J, Devineau S, Fanning S. Klebsiella pneumoniae: Prevalence, Reservoirs, Antimicrobial Resistance, Pathogenicity, and Infection: A Hitherto Unrecognized Zoonotic Bacterium. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2020; 18:63-84. [PMID: 33124929 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2020.2847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae is considered an opportunistic pathogen, constituting an ongoing health concern for immunocompromised patients, the elderly, and neonates. Reports on the isolation of K. pneumoniae from other sources are increasing, many of which express multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotypes. Three phylogroups were identified based on nucleotide differences. Niche environments, including plants, animals, and humans appear to be colonized by different phylogroups, among which KpI (K. pneumoniae) is commonly associated with human infection. Infections with K. pneumoniae can be transmitted through contaminated food or water and can be associated with community-acquired infections or between persons and animals involved in hospital-acquired infections. Increasing reports are describing detections along the food chain, suggesting the possibility exists that this could be a hitherto unexplored reservoir for this opportunistic bacterial pathogen. Expression of MDR phenotypes elaborated by these bacteria is due to the nature of various plasmids carrying antimicrobial resistance (AMR)-encoding genes, and is a challenge to animal, environmental, and human health alike. Raman spectroscopy has the potential to provide for the rapid identification and screening of antimicrobial susceptibility of Klebsiella isolates. Moreover, hypervirulent isolates linked with extraintestinal infections express phenotypes that may support their niche adaptation. In this review, the prevalence, reservoirs, AMR, Raman spectroscopy detection, and pathogenicity of K. pneumoniae are summarized and various extraintestinal infection pathways are further narrated to extend our understanding of its adaptation and survival ability in reservoirs, and associated disease risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Hu
- UCD-Centre for Food Safety, UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, Science Centre South, College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland.,Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, Ministry of Health, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, China
| | - João Anes
- UCD-Centre for Food Safety, UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, Science Centre South, College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Séamus Fanning
- UCD-Centre for Food Safety, UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, Science Centre South, College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland.,Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, Ministry of Health, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, China.,Institute for Global Food Security, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
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28
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Genetic Determinants of Resistance to Extended-Spectrum Cephalosporin and Fluoroquinolone in Escherichia coli Isolated from Diseased Pigs in the United States. mSphere 2020; 5:5/5/e00990-20. [PMID: 33115839 PMCID: PMC8534314 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00990-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins are critically important antimicrobial classes for both human and veterinary medicine. We previously found a drastic increase in enrofloxacin resistance in clinical Escherichia coli isolates collected from diseased pigs from the United States over 10 years (2006 to 2016). However, the genetic determinants responsible for this increase have yet to be determined. The aim of the present study was to identify and characterize the genetic basis of resistance against fluoroquinolones (enrofloxacin) and extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ceftiofur) in swine E. coli isolates using whole-genome sequencing (WGS). blaCMY-2 (carried by IncA/C2, IncI1, and IncI2 plasmids), blaCTX-M (carried by IncF, IncHI2, and IncN plasmids), and blaSHV-12 (carried by IncHI2 plasmids) genes were present in 87 (82.1%), 19 (17.9%), and 3 (2.83%) of the 106 ceftiofur-resistant isolates, respectively. Of the 110 enrofloxacin-resistant isolates, 90 (81.8%) had chromosomal mutations in gyrA, gyrB, parA, and parC genes. Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes [qnrB77, qnrB2, qnrS1, qnrS2, and aac-(6)-lb′-cr] borne on ColE, IncQ2, IncN, IncF, and IncHI2 plasmids were present in 24 (21.8%) of the enrofloxacin-resistant isolates. Virulent IncF plasmids present in swine E. coli isolates were highly similar to epidemic plasmids identified globally. High-risk E. coli clones, such as ST744, ST457, ST131, ST69, ST10, ST73, ST410, ST12, ST127, ST167, ST58, ST88, ST617, ST23, etc., were also found in the U.S. swine population. Additionally, the colistin resistance gene (mcr-9) was present in several isolates. This study adds valuable information regarding resistance to critical antimicrobials with implications for both animal and human health. IMPORTANCE Understanding the genetic mechanisms conferring resistance is critical to design informed control and preventive measures, particularly when involving critically important antimicrobial classes such as extended-spectrum cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones. The genetic determinants of extended-spectrum cephalosporin and fluoroquinolone resistance were highly diverse, with multiple plasmids, insertion sequences, and genes playing key roles in mediating resistance in swine Escherichia coli. Plasmids assembled in this study are known to be disseminated globally in both human and animal populations and environmental samples, and E. coli in pigs might be part of a global reservoir of key antimicrobial resistance (AMR) elements. Virulent plasmids found in this study have been shown to confer fitness advantages to pathogenic E. coli strains. The presence of international, high-risk zoonotic clones provides worrisome evidence that resistance in swine isolates may have indirect public health implications, and the swine population as a reservoir for these high-risk clones should be continuously monitored.
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29
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Hülter NF, Wein T, Effe J, Garoña A, Dagan T. Intracellular Competitions Reveal Determinants of Plasmid Evolutionary Success. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:2062. [PMID: 33013753 PMCID: PMC7500096 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.02062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmids are autonomously replicating genetic elements that are ubiquitous in all taxa and habitats where they constitute an integral part of microbial genomes. The stable inheritance of plasmids depends on their segregation during cell division and their long-term persistence in a host population is thought to largely depend on their impact on the host fitness. Nonetheless, many plasmids found in nature are lacking a clear trait that is advantageous to their host; the determinants of plasmid evolutionary success in the absence of plasmid benefit to the host remain understudied. Here we show that stable plasmid inheritance is an important determinant of plasmid evolutionary success. Borrowing terminology from evolutionary biology of cellular living forms, we hypothesize that Darwinian fitness is key for the plasmid evolutionary success. Performing intracellular plasmid competitions between non-mobile plasmids enables us to compare the evolutionary success of plasmid genotypes within the host, i.e., the plasmid fitness. Intracellular head-to-head competitions between stable and unstable variants of the same model plasmid revealed that the stable plasmid variant has a higher fitness in comparison to the unstable plasmid. Preemptive plasmid competitions reveal that plasmid fitness may depend on the order of plasmid arrival in the host. Competitions between plasmids characterized by similar stability of inheritance reveal plasmid fitness differences depending on the plasmid-encoded trait. Our results further reveal that competing plasmids can be maintained in coexistence following plasmid fusions that maintain unstable plasmid variants over time. Plasmids are not only useful accessory genetic elements to their host but they are also evolving and replicating entities, similarly to cellular living forms. There is a clear link between plasmid genetics and plasmid evolutionary success – hence plasmids are evolving entities whose fitness is quantifiable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils F Hülter
- Institute of General Microbiology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Tanita Wein
- Institute of General Microbiology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Johannes Effe
- Institute of General Microbiology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ana Garoña
- Institute of General Microbiology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Tal Dagan
- Institute of General Microbiology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
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30
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Oliveira WK, Ferrarini M, Morello LG, Faoro H. Resistome analysis of bloodstream infection bacterial genomes reveals a specific set of proteins involved in antibiotic resistance and drug efflux. NAR Genom Bioinform 2020; 2:lqaa055. [PMID: 33575606 PMCID: PMC7671365 DOI: 10.1093/nargab/lqaa055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a global public health problem. Its association with bloodstream infections is even more severe and may easily evolve to sepsis. To improve our response to these bacteria, it is essential to gather thorough knowledge on the main pathogens along with the main mechanisms of resistance they carry. In this paper, we performed a large meta-analysis of 3872 bacterial genomes isolated from blood samples, from which we identified 71 745 antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Taxonomic analysis showed that Proteobacteria and Firmicutes phyla, and the species Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus were the most represented. Comparison of ARGs with the Resfams database showed that the main mechanism of antibiotic resistance is mediated by efflux pumps. Clustering analysis between resistome of blood and soil-isolated bacteria showed that there is low identity between transport and efflux proteins between bacteria from these environments. Furthermore, a correlation analysis among all features showed that K. pneumoniae and S. aureus formed two well-defined clusters related to the resistance mechanisms, proteins and antibiotics. A retrospective analysis has shown that the average number of ARGs per genome has gradually increased. The results demonstrate the importance of comprehensive studies to understand the antibiotic resistance phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willian K Oliveira
- Laboratory for Applied Science and Technology in Health, Carlos Chagas Institute, FIOCRUZ, Paraná, 81350-010, Brazil
| | - Mariana Ferrarini
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Évolutive, UMR 5558, CNRS, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne 69622, France
| | - Luis G Morello
- Laboratory for Applied Science and Technology in Health, Carlos Chagas Institute, FIOCRUZ, Paraná, 81350-010, Brazil
| | - Helisson Faoro
- Laboratory for Applied Science and Technology in Health, Carlos Chagas Institute, FIOCRUZ, Paraná, 81350-010, Brazil
- Graduate Program on Bioinformatics, Federal University of Paraná, Paraná, 81520-260, Brazil
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31
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Kiga K, Tan XE, Ibarra-Chávez R, Watanabe S, Aiba Y, Sato'o Y, Li FY, Sasahara T, Cui B, Kawauchi M, Boonsiri T, Thitiananpakorn K, Taki Y, Azam AH, Suzuki M, Penadés JR, Cui L. Development of CRISPR-Cas13a-based antimicrobials capable of sequence-specific killing of target bacteria. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2934. [PMID: 32523110 PMCID: PMC7287087 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16731-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria is an increasingly serious threat to global health, necessitating the development of innovative antimicrobials. Here we report the development of a series of CRISPR-Cas13a-based antibacterial nucleocapsids, termed CapsidCas13a(s), capable of sequence-specific killing of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by recognizing corresponding antimicrobial resistance genes. CapsidCas13a constructs are generated by packaging programmed CRISPR-Cas13a into a bacteriophage capsid to target antimicrobial resistance genes. Contrary to Cas9-based antimicrobials that lack bacterial killing capacity when the target genes are located on a plasmid, the CapsidCas13a(s) exhibit strong bacterial killing activities upon recognizing target genes regardless of their location. Moreover, we also demonstrate that the CapsidCas13a(s) can be applied to detect bacterial genes through gene-specific depletion of bacteria without employing nucleic acid manipulation and optical visualization devices. Our data underscore the potential of CapsidCas13a(s) as both therapeutic agents against antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and nonchemical agents for detection of bacterial genes. CRISPR technology is emerging as a potential antimicrobial against antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Here the authors develop a bacteriophage delivered Cas13a system for killing target bacteria and detecting bacterial genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kotaro Kiga
- Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Xin-Ee Tan
- Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Rodrigo Ibarra-Chávez
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - Shinya Watanabe
- Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Aiba
- Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Yusuke Sato'o
- Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Feng-Yu Li
- Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Teppei Sasahara
- Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Bintao Cui
- Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Moriyuki Kawauchi
- Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Tanit Boonsiri
- Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Kanate Thitiananpakorn
- Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Yusuke Taki
- Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Aa Haeruman Azam
- Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Masato Suzuki
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - José R Penadés
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - Longzhu Cui
- Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.
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32
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Gama JA, Kloos J, Johnsen PJ, Samuelsen Ø. Host dependent maintenance of a bla NDM-1-encoding plasmid in clinical Escherichia coli isolates. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9332. [PMID: 32518312 PMCID: PMC7283256 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66239-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Dissemination of bacterial clones carrying plasmid-mediated resistance genes is a major factor contributing to the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance. Understanding the evolution of successful clones and the association to mobile resistance elements are therefore crucial. In this study, we determined the sequence of a 145 kb IncC multi-drug resistance plasmid (pK71-77-1-NDM), harbouring resistance genes to last-resort antibiotics including carbapenems. We show that the plasmid is able to transfer into a range of genetically diverse clinical Escherichia coli strains and that the fitness cost imposed on the host is often low. Moreover, the plasmid is stably maintained under non-selective conditions across different genetic backgrounds. However, we also observed a lower conjugation frequency and higher fitness cost in the E. coli sequence type (ST) 73 background, which could partially explain why this clone is associated with a lower level of antibiotic resistance than other E. coli clones. This is supported by a bioinformatical analysis showing that the ST73 background harbours plasmids less frequently than the other studied E. coli STs. Studying the evolution of antibiotic resistance in a clinical context and in diverse genetic backgrounds improves our understanding of the variability in plasmid-host associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Alves Gama
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Julia Kloos
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Pål J Johnsen
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Ørjan Samuelsen
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway. .,Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Detection of Antimicrobial Resistance, Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
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33
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Buckner MMC, Ciusa ML, Meek RW, Moorey AR, McCallum GE, Prentice EL, Reid JP, Alderwick LJ, Di Maio A, Piddock LJV. HIV Drugs Inhibit Transfer of Plasmids Carrying Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase and Carbapenemase Genes. mBio 2020; 11:e03355-19. [PMID: 32098822 PMCID: PMC7042701 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03355-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) infections pose a serious risk to human and animal health. A major factor contributing to this global crisis is the sharing of resistance genes between different bacteria via plasmids. The WHO lists Enterobacteriaceae, such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemases as "critical" priorities for new drug development. These resistance genes are most often shared via plasmid transfer. However, finding methods to prevent resistance gene sharing has been hampered by the lack of screening systems for medium-/high-throughput approaches. Here, we have used an ESBL-producing plasmid, pCT, and a carbapenemase-producing plasmid, pKpQIL, in two different Gram-negative bacteria, E. coli and K. pneumoniae Using these critical resistance-pathogen combinations, we developed an assay using fluorescent proteins, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy to assess plasmid transmission inhibition within bacterial populations in a medium-throughput manner. Three compounds with some reports of antiplasmid properties were tested; chlorpromazine reduced transmission of both plasmids and linoleic acid reduced transmission of pCT. We screened the Prestwick library of over 1,200 FDA-approved drugs/compounds. From this, we found two nucleoside analogue drugs used to treat HIV, abacavir and azidothymidine (AZT), which reduced plasmid transmission (AZT, e.g., at 0.25 μg/ml reduced pCT transmission in E. coli by 83.3% and pKpQIL transmission in K. pneumoniae by 80.8% compared to untreated controls). Plasmid transmission was reduced by concentrations of the drugs which are below peak serum concentrations and are achievable in the gastrointestinal tract. These drugs could be used to decolonize humans, animals, or the environment from AMR plasmids.IMPORTANCE More and more bacterial infections are becoming resistant to antibiotics. This has made treatment of many infections very difficult. One of the reasons this is such a large problem is that bacteria are able to share their genetic material with other bacteria, and these shared genes often include resistance to a variety of antibiotics, including some of our drugs of last resort. We are addressing this problem by using a fluorescence-based system to search for drugs that will stop bacteria from sharing resistance genes. We uncovered a new role for two drugs used to treat HIV and show that they are able to prevent the sharing of two different types of resistance genes in two unique bacterial strains. This work lays the foundation for future work to reduce the prevalence of resistant infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle M C Buckner
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection, College of Medical & Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - M Laura Ciusa
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection, College of Medical & Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Richard W Meek
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection, College of Medical & Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Alice R Moorey
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection, College of Medical & Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Gregory E McCallum
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection, College of Medical & Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Emma L Prentice
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection, College of Medical & Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Jeremy P Reid
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection, College of Medical & Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Luke J Alderwick
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Alessandro Di Maio
- Birmingham Advanced Light Microscopy, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Laura J V Piddock
- Institute of Microbiology & Infection, College of Medical & Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
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34
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Colclough AL, Alav I, Whittle EE, Pugh HL, Darby EM, Legood SW, McNeil HE, Blair JM. RND efflux pumps in Gram-negative bacteria; regulation, structure and role in antibiotic resistance. Future Microbiol 2020; 15:143-157. [PMID: 32073314 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2019-0235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Rresistance-nodulation-division (RND) efflux pumps in Gram-negative bacteria remove multiple, structurally distinct classes of antimicrobials from inside bacterial cells therefore directly contributing to multidrug resistance. There is also emerging evidence that many other mechanisms of antibiotic resistance rely on the intrinsic resistance conferred by RND efflux. In addition to their role in antibiotic resistance, new information has become available about the natural role of RND pumps including their established role in virulence of many Gram-negative organisms. This review also discusses the recent advances in understanding the regulation and structure of RND efflux pumps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail L Colclough
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Ilyas Alav
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Emily E Whittle
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Hannah L Pugh
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Elizabeth M Darby
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Simon W Legood
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Helen E McNeil
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Jessica Ma Blair
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
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35
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Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a common cause of antimicrobial-resistant opportunistic infections in hospitalized patients. The species is naturally resistant to penicillins, and members of the population often carry acquired resistance to multiple antimicrobials. However, knowledge of K. pneumoniae ecology, population structure or pathogenicity is relatively limited. Over the past decade, K. pneumoniae has emerged as a major clinical and public health threat owing to increasing prevalence of healthcare-associated infections caused by multidrug-resistant strains producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases and/or carbapenemases. A parallel phenomenon of severe community-acquired infections caused by 'hypervirulent' K. pneumoniae has also emerged, associated with strains expressing acquired virulence factors. These distinct clinical concerns have stimulated renewed interest in K. pneumoniae research and particularly the application of genomics. In this Review, we discuss how genomics approaches have advanced our understanding of K. pneumoniae taxonomy, ecology and evolution as well as the diversity and distribution of clinically relevant determinants of pathogenicity and antimicrobial resistance. A deeper understanding of K. pneumoniae population structure and diversity will be important for the proper design and interpretation of experimental studies, for interpreting clinical and public health surveillance data and for the design and implementation of novel control strategies against this important pathogen.
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36
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Meta-analysis of Pandemic Escherichia coli ST131 Plasmidome Proves Restricted Plasmid-clade Associations. Sci Rep 2020; 10:36. [PMID: 31913346 PMCID: PMC6949217 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56763-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Extraintestinal multidrug resistant Escherichia coli sequence type (ST) 131 is a worldwide pandemic pathogen and a major cause of urinary tract and bloodstream infections. The role of this pandemic lineage in multidrug resistance plasmid dissemination is still scarce. We herein performed a meta-analysis on E. coli ST131 whole-genome sequence (WGS) databases to unravel ST131 plasmidome and specifically to decipher CTX-M encoding plasmids-clade associations. We mined 880 ST131 WGS data and proved that CTX-M-27-encoding IncF[F1:A2:B20] (Group1) plasmids are strictly found in clade C1, whereas CTX-M-15-encoding IncF[F2:A1:B-] (Group2) plasmids exist only in clade C2 suggesting strong plasmid-clade adaptations. Specific Col-like replicons (Col156, Col(MG828), and Col8282) were also found to be clade C1-associated. BLAST-based search revealed that Group1 and Group2 plasmids are narrow-host-range and restricted to E.coli. Among a collection of 20 newly sequenced Israeli ST131 CTX-M-encoding plasmids (2003–2016), Group1 and Group2 plasmids were dominant and associated with the expected clades. We found, for the first time in ST131, a CTX-M-15-encoding phage-like plasmid group (Group3) and followed its spread in the WGS data. This study offers a comprehensive way to decipher plasmid-bacterium associations and demonstrates that the CTX-M-encoding ST131 Group1 and Group2 plasmids are clade-restricted and presumably less transmissible, potentially contributing to ST131 clonal superiority.
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37
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Lee H, Shin J, Chung YJ, Park M, Kang KJ, Baek JY, Shin D, Chung DR, Peck KR, Song JH, Ko KS. Co-introduction of plasmids harbouring the carbapenemase genes, bla NDM-1 and bla OXA-232, increases fitness and virulence of bacterial host. J Biomed Sci 2020; 27:8. [PMID: 31900177 PMCID: PMC6941263 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-019-0603-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Bacterial isolates with multiple plasmids harbouring different carbapenemase genes have emerged and been identified repeatedly, despite a general notion that plasmids confer fitness cost in bacterial host. In this study, we investigated the effects of plasmids with carbapenemase genes on the fitness and virulence of bacteria. Methods Different plasmids harbouring the carbapenemase genes, blaNDM-1 and blaOXA-232, were isolated from a carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae strain. Each plasmid was conjugated into the Escherichia coli strain DH5α, and a transconjugant with both plasmids was also obtained by transformation. Their in vitro competitive ability, biofilm formation, serum resistance, survival ability within macrophage and fruit fly, and fly killing ability were evaluated. Results The transconjugants with a single plasmid showed identical phenotypes to the plasmid-free strain, except that they decreased fly survival after infection. However, significantly increased fitness, virulence and biofilm production were observed consistently for the transconjugant with both plasmids, harbouring blaNDM-1 and blaOXA-232. Conclusions Our data indicate that bacteria carrying multiple plasmids encoding different carbapenemases may have increased fitness and virulence, emphasizing the need for diverse strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haejeong Lee
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Juyoun Shin
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeun-Jun Chung
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea.,Precision Medicine Research Center, Integrated Research Center for Genome Polymorphism, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Myungseo Park
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, South Korea
| | - Kyeong Jin Kang
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Yang Baek
- Asia Pacific Foundation for Infectious Diseases (APFID), Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongwoo Shin
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Doo Ryeon Chung
- Asia Pacific Foundation for Infectious Diseases (APFID), Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyong Ran Peck
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Hoon Song
- Asia Pacific Foundation for Infectious Diseases (APFID), Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwan Soo Ko
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea. .,Asia Pacific Foundation for Infectious Diseases (APFID), Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea.
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38
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Vial L, Hommais F. Plasmid-chromosome cross-talks. Environ Microbiol 2019; 22:540-556. [PMID: 31782608 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Plasmids can be acquired by recipient bacteria at a significant cost while conferring them advantageous traits. To counterbalance the costs of plasmid carriage, both plasmids and host bacteria have developed a tight regulatory network that may involve a cross-talk between the chromosome and the plasmids. Although plasmid regulation by chromosomal regulators is generally well known, chromosome regulation by plasmid has been far less investigated. Yet, a growing number of studies have highlighted an impact of plasmids on their host bacteria. Here, we describe the plasmid-chromosome cross-talk from the plasmid point of view. We summarize data about the chromosomal adaptive mutations generated by plasmid carriage; the impact of the loss of a domesticated plasmid or the gain of a new plasmid. Then, we present the control of plasmid-encoded regulators on chromosomal gene expression. The involvement of regulators homologous to chromosome-encoded proteins is illustrated by the H-NS-like proteins, and by the Rap-Phr system. Finally, plasmid-specific regulators of chromosomal gene expression are presented, which highlight the involvement of transcription factors and sRNAs. A comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms that allow a given plasmid to impact the chromosome of bacterium will help to understand the tight cross-talk between plasmids and the chromosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovic Vial
- Université de Lyon, 69622, Lyon, France.,Université Lyon 1, 69622, Villeurbanne, France.,CNRS, UMR 5557 Ecologie Microbienne, 69622, Villeurbanne, France.,INRA, UMR1418 Ecologie Microbienne, 69622, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Florence Hommais
- Université de Lyon, 69622, Lyon, France.,Université Lyon 1, 69622, Villeurbanne, France.,CNRS, UMR 5240 Microbiologie Adaptation et Pathogénie, 69622, Villeurbanne, France
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39
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Dunn SJ, Connor C, McNally A. The evolution and transmission of multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae: the complexity of clones and plasmids. Curr Opin Microbiol 2019; 51:51-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2019.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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40
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Advantage of the F2:A1:B- IncF Pandemic Plasmid over IncC Plasmids in In Vitro Acquisition and Evolution of bla CTX-M Gene-Bearing Plasmids in Escherichia coli. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019; 63:AAC.01130-19. [PMID: 31332067 PMCID: PMC6761558 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01130-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite a fitness cost imposed on bacterial hosts, large conjugative plasmids play a key role in the diffusion of resistance determinants, such as CTX-M extended-spectrum β-lactamases. Among the large conjugative plasmids, IncF plasmids are the most predominant group, and an F2:A1:B- IncF-type plasmid encoding a CTX-M-15 variant was recently described as being strongly associated with the emerging worldwide Escherichia coli sequence type 131 (ST131)-O25b:H4 H30Rx/C2 sublineage. Despite a fitness cost imposed on bacterial hosts, large conjugative plasmids play a key role in the diffusion of resistance determinants, such as CTX-M extended-spectrum β-lactamases. Among the large conjugative plasmids, IncF plasmids are the most predominant group, and an F2:A1:B- IncF-type plasmid encoding a CTX-M-15 variant was recently described as being strongly associated with the emerging worldwide Escherichia coli sequence type 131 (ST131)-O25b:H4 H30Rx/C2 sublineage. In this context, we investigated the fitness cost of narrow-range F-type plasmids, including the F2:A1:B- IncF-type CTX-M-15 plasmid, and of broad-range C-type plasmids in the K-12-like J53-2 E. coli strain. Although all plasmids imposed a significant fitness cost to the bacterial host immediately after conjugation, we show, using an experimental-evolution approach, that a negative impact on the fitness of the host strain was maintained throughout 1,120 generations with the IncC-IncR plasmid, regardless of the presence or absence of cefotaxime, in contrast to the F2:A1:B- IncF plasmid, whose cost was alleviated. Many chromosomal and plasmid rearrangements were detected after conjugation in transconjugants carrying the IncC plasmids but not in transconjugants carrying the F2:A1:B- IncF plasmid, except for insertion sequence (IS) mobilization from the fliM gene leading to the restoration of motility of the recipient strains. Only a few mutations occurred on the chromosome of each transconjugant throughout the experimental-evolution assay. Our findings indicate that the F2:A1:B- IncF CTX-M-15 plasmid is well adapted to the E. coli strain studied, contrary to the IncC-IncR CTX-M-15 plasmid, and that such plasmid-host adaptation could participate in the evolutionary success of the CTX-M-15-producing pandemic E. coli ST131-O25b:H4 lineage.
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41
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The bla NDM-1-Carrying IncA/C 2 Plasmid Underlies Structural Alterations and Cointegrate Formation In Vivo. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019; 63:AAC.00380-19. [PMID: 31109975 PMCID: PMC6658791 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00380-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2012, a carbapenemase-producing Salmonella enterica serovar Corvallis isolate carrying a bla NDM-1 multiresistance IncA/C2 plasmid, apart from IncHI2 and ColE-like plasmids, was detected in a wild bird in Germany. In a recent broiler chicken infection study, we observed transfer of this bla NDM-1-carrying IncA/C2 plasmid to other Enterobacteriaceae Here, we focused on the stability of this plasmid and gained insight into the type and frequency of its structural alterations after an in vivo passage in a broiler chicken infection study.
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42
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Klebsiella pneumonia carbapenemase (KPC), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. (VRE) in the food production chain and biofilm formation on abiotic surfaces. Curr Opin Food Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cofs.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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43
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Wyres KL, Wick RR, Judd LM, Froumine R, Tokolyi A, Gorrie CL, Lam MMC, Duchêne S, Jenney A, Holt KE. Distinct evolutionary dynamics of horizontal gene transfer in drug resistant and virulent clones of Klebsiella pneumoniae. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008114. [PMID: 30986243 PMCID: PMC6483277 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae has emerged as an important cause of two distinct public health threats: multi-drug resistant (MDR) healthcare-associated infections and drug susceptible community-acquired invasive infections. These pathotypes are generally associated with two distinct subsets of K. pneumoniae lineages or 'clones' that are distinguished by the presence of acquired resistance genes and several key virulence loci. Genomic evolutionary analyses of the most notorious MDR and invasive community-associated ('hypervirulent') clones indicate differences in terms of chromosomal recombination dynamics and capsule polysaccharide diversity, but it remains unclear if these differences represent generalised trends. Here we leverage a collection of >2200 K. pneumoniae genomes to identify 28 common clones (n ≥ 10 genomes each), and perform the first genomic evolutionary comparison. Eight MDR and 6 hypervirulent clones were identified on the basis of acquired resistance and virulence gene prevalence. Chromosomal recombination, surface polysaccharide locus diversity, pan-genome, plasmid and phage dynamics were characterised and compared. The data showed that MDR clones were highly diverse, with frequent chromosomal recombination generating extensive surface polysaccharide locus diversity. Additional pan-genome diversity was driven by frequent acquisition/loss of both plasmids and phage. In contrast, chromosomal recombination was rare in the hypervirulent clones, which also showed a significant reduction in pan-genome diversity, largely driven by a reduction in plasmid diversity. Hence the data indicate that hypervirulent clones may be subject to some sort of constraint for horizontal gene transfer that does not apply to the MDR clones. Our findings are relevant for understanding the risk of emergence of individual K. pneumoniae strains carrying both virulence and acquired resistance genes, which have been increasingly reported and cause highly virulent infections that are extremely difficult to treat. Specifically, our data indicate that MDR clones pose the greatest risk, because they are more likely to acquire virulence genes than hypervirulent clones are to acquire resistance genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly L. Wyres
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ryan R. Wick
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Louise M. Judd
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Roni Froumine
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alex Tokolyi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Claire L. Gorrie
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Unit, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret M. C. Lam
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sebastián Duchêne
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Adam Jenney
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kathryn E. Holt
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Jousset AB, Rosinski-Chupin I, Takissian J, Glaser P, Bonnin RA, Naas T. Transcriptional Landscape of a bla KPC-2 Plasmid and Response to Imipenem Exposure in Escherichia coli TOP10. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2929. [PMID: 30559731 PMCID: PMC6286996 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The diffusion of KPC-2 carbapenemase is closely related to the spread of Klebsiella pneumoniae of the clonal-group 258 and linked to IncFIIK plasmids. Little is known about the biology of multi-drug resistant plasmids and the reasons of their successful dissemination. Using E. coli TOP10 strain harboring a multi-replicon IncFIIK-IncFIB blaKPC−2-gene carrying plasmid pBIC1a from K. pneumoniae ST-258 clinical isolate BIC-1, we aimed to identify basal gene expression and the effects of imipenem exposure using whole transcriptome approach by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). Independently of the antibiotic pressure, most of the plasmid-backbone genes were expressed at low levels. The most expressed pBIC1a genes were involved in antibiotic resistance (blaKPC−2, blaTEM and aph(3′)-I), in plasmid replication and conjugation, or associated to mobile elements. After antibiotic exposure, 34% of E. coli (pBIC1a) genome was differentially expressed. Induction of oxidative stress response was evidenced, with numerous upregulated genes of the SoxRS/OxyR oxydative stress regulons, the Fur regulon (for iron uptake machinery), and IscR regulon (for iron sulfur cluster synthesis). Nine genes carried by pBIC1a were up-regulated, including the murein DD-endopeptidase mepM and the copper resistance operon. Despite the presence of a carbapenemase, we observed a major impact on E. coli (pBIC1a) whole transcriptome after imipenem exposure, but no effect on the level of transcription of antimicrobial resistance genes. We describe adaptive responses of E. coli to imipenem-induced stress, and identified plasmid-encoded genes that could be involved in resistance to stressful environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnès B Jousset
- Department of Bacteriology-Parasitology-Hygiene, Bicêtre Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Associated French National Reference Center for Antibiotic Resistance, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,EA7361 "Structure, dynamic, function and expression of broad spectrum β-lactamases", Faculty of Medicine, Paris-Sud University, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Joint Research Unit Evolution and Ecology of Resistance to Antibiotics, Institut Pasteur-APHP-University Paris Sud, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Rosinski-Chupin
- Joint Research Unit Evolution and Ecology of Resistance to Antibiotics, Institut Pasteur-APHP-University Paris Sud, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMRS 3525, Paris, France
| | - Julie Takissian
- EA7361 "Structure, dynamic, function and expression of broad spectrum β-lactamases", Faculty of Medicine, Paris-Sud University, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Joint Research Unit Evolution and Ecology of Resistance to Antibiotics, Institut Pasteur-APHP-University Paris Sud, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Glaser
- Joint Research Unit Evolution and Ecology of Resistance to Antibiotics, Institut Pasteur-APHP-University Paris Sud, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMRS 3525, Paris, France
| | - Rémy A Bonnin
- Associated French National Reference Center for Antibiotic Resistance, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,EA7361 "Structure, dynamic, function and expression of broad spectrum β-lactamases", Faculty of Medicine, Paris-Sud University, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Joint Research Unit Evolution and Ecology of Resistance to Antibiotics, Institut Pasteur-APHP-University Paris Sud, Paris, France
| | - Thierry Naas
- Department of Bacteriology-Parasitology-Hygiene, Bicêtre Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Associated French National Reference Center for Antibiotic Resistance, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,EA7361 "Structure, dynamic, function and expression of broad spectrum β-lactamases", Faculty of Medicine, Paris-Sud University, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Joint Research Unit Evolution and Ecology of Resistance to Antibiotics, Institut Pasteur-APHP-University Paris Sud, Paris, France
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Impact of plasmid interactions with the chromosome and other plasmids on the spread of antibiotic resistance. Plasmid 2018; 99:82-88. [PMID: 30240700 DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2018.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Naturally occurring plasmids have medical importance given that they frequently code for virulence or antibiotic resistance. In many cases, plasmids impose a fitness cost to their hosts, meaning that the growth rate of plasmid-bearing cells is lower than that of plasmid-free cells. However, this does not fit with the fact that plasmids are ubiquitous in nature nor that plasmids and their hosts adapt to each other very fast - as has been shown in laboratory evolutionary assays. Even when plasmids are costly, they seem to largely interact in such a way that the cost of two plasmids is lower than the cost of one of them alone. Moreover, it has been argued that transfer rates are too low to compensate for plasmid costs and segregation. Several mechanisms involving interactions between plasmids and other replicons could overcome this limitation, hence contributing to the maintenance of plasmids in bacterial populations. We examine the importance of these mechanisms from a clinical point of view, particularly the spread of antibiotic resistance genes.
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