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Christi K, Hudson J, Egan S. Current approaches to genetic modification of marine bacteria and considerations for improved transformation efficiency. Microbiol Res 2024; 284:127729. [PMID: 38663232 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Marine bacteria play vital roles in symbiosis, biogeochemical cycles and produce novel bioactive compounds and enzymes of interest for the pharmaceutical, biofuel and biotechnology industries. At present, investigations into marine bacterial functions and their products are primarily based on phenotypic observations, -omic type approaches and heterologous gene expression. To advance our understanding of marine bacteria and harness their full potential for industry application, it is critical that we have the appropriate tools and resources to genetically manipulate them in situ. However, current genetic tools that are largely designed for model organisms such as E. coli, produce low transformation efficiencies or have no transfer ability in marine bacteria. To improve genetic manipulation applications for marine bacteria, we need to improve transformation methods such as conjugation and electroporation in addition to identifying more marine broad host range plasmids. In this review, we aim to outline the reported methods of transformation for marine bacteria and discuss the considerations for each approach in the context of improving efficiency. In addition, we further discuss marine plasmids and future research areas including CRISPR tools and their potential applications for marine bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Christi
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Jennifer Hudson
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Suhelen Egan
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia.
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2
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Dadeh Amirfard K, Moriyama M, Suzuki S, Sano D. Effect of environmental factors on conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in aquatic settings. J Appl Microbiol 2024; 135:lxae129. [PMID: 38830804 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxae129] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial-resistance genes (ARGs) are spread among bacteria by horizontal gene transfer, however, the effect of environmental factors on the dynamics of the ARG in water environments has not been very well understood. In this systematic review, we employed the regression tree algorithm to identify the environmental factors that facilitate/inhibit the transfer of ARGs via conjugation in planktonic/biofilm-formed bacterial cells based on the results of past relevant research. Escherichia coli strains were the most studied genus for conjugation experiments as donor/recipient in the intra-genera category. Conversely, Pseudomonas spp., Acinetobacter spp., and Salmonella spp. were studied primarily as recipients across inter-genera bacteria. The conjugation efficiency (ce) was found to be highly dependent on the incubation period. Some antibiotics, such as nitrofurantoin (at ≥0.2 µg ml-1) and kanamycin (at ≥9.5 mg l-1) as well as metallic compounds like mercury (II) chloride (HgCl2, ≥3 µmol l-1), and vanadium (III) chloride (VCl3, ≥50 µmol l-1) had enhancing effect on conjugation. The highest ce value (-0.90 log10) was achieved at 15°C-19°C, with linoleic acid concentrations <8 mg l-1, a recognized conjugation inhibitor. Identifying critical environmental factors affecting ARG dissemination in aquatic environments will accelerate strategies to control their proliferation and combat antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katayoun Dadeh Amirfard
- Department of Frontier Science for Advanced Environment, Tohoku University, Aoba 6-6-06, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
| | - Momoko Moriyama
- Department of Frontier Science for Advanced Environment, Tohoku University, Aoba 6-6-06, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
| | - Satoru Suzuki
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies, Ehime University, Bunkyōchō 2-5, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Daisuke Sano
- Department of Frontier Science for Advanced Environment, Tohoku University, Aoba 6-6-06, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tohoku University, Aoba 6-6-06, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
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Otero-Olarra JE, Díaz-Cárdenas G, Aguilera-Arreola MG, Curiel-Quesada E, Pérez-Valdespino A. Aeromonas trota Is Highly Refractory to Acquire Exogenous Genetic Material. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1091. [PMID: 38930473 PMCID: PMC11206119 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Aeromonas trota is sensitive to most antibiotics and the sole species of this genus susceptible to ampicillin. This susceptibility profile could be related to its inability to acquire exogenous DNA. In this study, A. trota isolates were analyzed to establish their capacity to incorporate foreign DNA. Fourteen strains were identified as A. trota by multilocus phylogenetic analysis (MLPA). Minimal inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics (MIC) were assessed, confirming the susceptibility to most antibiotics tested. To explore their capacity to be transformed, A. trota strains were used as recipients in different horizontal transfer assays. Results showed that around fifty percent of A. trota strains were able to incorporate pBAMD1-2 and pBBR1MCS-3 plasmids after conjugal transfer. In all instances, conjugation frequencies were very low. Interestingly, several isoforms of plasmid pBBR1MCS-3 were observed in transconjugants. Strains could not receive pAr-32, a native plasmid from A. salmonicida. A. trota strains were unable to receive DNA by means of electroporation, natural transformation or vesiduction. These results confirm that A. trota species are extremely refractory to horizontal gene transfer, which could be associated to plasmid instability resulting from oligomerization or to the presence of defense systems against exogenous genetic material in their genomes. To explain the poor results of horizontal gene transfer (HGT), selected genomes were sequenced and analyzed, revealing the presence of defense systems, which could prevent the stable incorporation of exogenous DNA in A. trota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Erick Otero-Olarra
- Department of Biochemistry, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Santo Tomás, Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (J.E.O.-O.); (G.D.-C.)
| | - Gilda Díaz-Cárdenas
- Department of Biochemistry, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Santo Tomás, Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (J.E.O.-O.); (G.D.-C.)
| | - Ma Guadalupe Aguilera-Arreola
- Department of Microbiology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Santo Tomás, Mexico City 11340, Mexico;
| | - Everardo Curiel-Quesada
- Department of Biochemistry, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Santo Tomás, Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (J.E.O.-O.); (G.D.-C.)
| | - Abigail Pérez-Valdespino
- Department of Biochemistry, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Santo Tomás, Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (J.E.O.-O.); (G.D.-C.)
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4
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He Z, Dechesne A, Schreiber F, Zhu YG, Larsson DGJ, Smets BF. Understanding Stimulation of Conjugal Gene Transfer by Nonantibiotic Compounds: How Far Are We? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:9017-9030. [PMID: 38753980 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c06060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
A myriad of nonantibiotic compounds is released into the environment, some of which may contribute to the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance by stimulating conjugation. Here, we analyzed a collection of studies to (i) identify patterns of transfer stimulation across groups and concentrations of chemicals, (ii) evaluate the strength of evidence for the proposed mechanisms behind conjugal stimulation, and (iii) examine the plausibility of alternative mechanisms. We show that stimulatory nonantibiotic compounds act at concentrations from 1/1000 to 1/10 of the minimal inhibitory concentration for the donor strain but that stimulation is always modest (less than 8-fold). The main proposed mechanisms for stimulation via the reactive oxygen species/SOS cascade and/or an increase in cell membrane permeability are not unequivocally supported by the literature. However, we identify the reactive oxygen species/SOS cascade as the most likely mechanism. This remains to be confirmed by firm molecular evidence. Such evidence and more standardized and high-throughput conjugation assays are needed to create technologies and solutions to limit the stimulation of conjugal gene transfer and contribute to mitigating global antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiming He
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, So̷ltofts Plads Building 221, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- Sino-Danish College (SDC) for Education and Research, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Arnaud Dechesne
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, So̷ltofts Plads Building 221, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Frank Schreiber
- Division of Biodeterioration and Reference Organisms (4.1), Department of Materials and the Environment, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin, Germany
| | - Yong-Guan Zhu
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, 361021 Xiamen, China
| | - D G Joakim Larsson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Guldhedsgatan 10, SE-413 46 Göteborg, Sweden
- Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe), University of Gothenburg, Västra Götaland, SE-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Barth F Smets
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering-Environmental Engineering, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 3, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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Campos IC, Saraiva MMS, Benevides VP, Ferreira TS, Ferreira VA, Almeida AM, Berchieri Junior A. Low temperatures do not impair the bacterial plasmid conjugation on poultry meat. Braz J Microbiol 2024; 55:711-717. [PMID: 38191970 PMCID: PMC10920582 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-023-01230-9] [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: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Conjugation plays an important role in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes. Besides, this process is influenced by many biotic and abiotic factors, especially temperature. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different conditions of temperature and storage (time and recipient) of poultry meat, intended for the final consumer, affect the plasmid transfer between pathogenic (harboring the IncB/O-plasmid) and non-pathogenic Escherichia coli organisms. The determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of ampicillin, cephalexin, cefotaxime, and ceftazidime was performed before and after the conjugation assay. It was possible to recover transconjugants in the poultry meat at all the treatments, also these bacteria showed a significant increase of the MIC for all antimicrobials tested. Our results show that a non-pathogenic E. coli can acquire an IncB/O-plasmid through a conjugation process in poultry meat, even stored at low temperatures. Once acquired, the resistance genes endanger public health especially when it is about critically and highly important antimicrobials to human medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella C Campos
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction, and One Health from the School of Agriculture and Veterinarian Sciences, Sao Paulo State University (FCAV-Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Mauro M S Saraiva
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction, and One Health from the School of Agriculture and Veterinarian Sciences, Sao Paulo State University (FCAV-Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil.
| | - Valdinete P Benevides
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction, and One Health from the School of Agriculture and Veterinarian Sciences, Sao Paulo State University (FCAV-Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Taísa S Ferreira
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction, and One Health from the School of Agriculture and Veterinarian Sciences, Sao Paulo State University (FCAV-Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Viviane A Ferreira
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction, and One Health from the School of Agriculture and Veterinarian Sciences, Sao Paulo State University (FCAV-Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Adriana M Almeida
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction, and One Health from the School of Agriculture and Veterinarian Sciences, Sao Paulo State University (FCAV-Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Angelo Berchieri Junior
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction, and One Health from the School of Agriculture and Veterinarian Sciences, Sao Paulo State University (FCAV-Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil.
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6
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Yan Y, Li X, Yu K, Wu Z, Sun Y, Cheng Z, Zhao B, Nie C, Xia Y. Systematic evaluation of the impact of standard storage conditions on plasmid conjugation behavior in wastewater samples. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 343:123283. [PMID: 38176637 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Filter mating experiment is widely used to study the conjugation behavior of plasmids and associated antibiotic resistance in environmental settings, however, the influence and biases brought by sample storage conditions (temperature and duration) were not yet systematically elaborated. This study systematically investigated the influence of standard storage conditions (4 °C, -20 °C, -80 °C) on plasmid conjugation behavior in influent (Inf) and activated sludge (AS) samples from sewage treatment plants (STP). The findings revealed a significant reduction in conjugation efficiency under all the tested storage conditions except for 1-week storage at 4 °C. Notably, storing at -80 °C maintained conjugation activities in activated sludge more effectively compared to -20 °C. However, the preservation performance was less effective for influent samples, which consist mainly of anaerobe-dominant communities. Systematic loss of IncH-type plasmids was observed in influent samples stored at 4 °C and -20 °C. Correspondingly, the plasmid-carrying resistome genotypes detected in the influent samples showed a clear downward trend with the increase in storage duration when stored at 4 °C and -20 °C. A relatively uniform composition in terms of incompatibility type and resistome profile was observed across activated sludge samples, regardless of the varied storage conditions. This study highlights the critical impact of storage conditions on plasmid conjugation behavior and resistome composition, offering valuable insights for optimal sample handling in resistome research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxi Yan
- School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiang Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Kaiqiang Yu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Ziqi Wu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yuhong Sun
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhanwen Cheng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Bixi Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Cailong Nie
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yu Xia
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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Røder HL, Christidi E, Amador CI, Music S, Olesen AK, Svensson B, Madsen JS, Herschend J, Kreft JU, Burmølle M. Flagellar interference with plasmid uptake in biofilms: a joint experimental and modeling study. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0151023. [PMID: 38095456 PMCID: PMC10807428 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01510-23] [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: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmid conjugation is a key facilitator of horizontal gene transfer (HGT), and plasmids encoding antibiotic resistance drive the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance. In natural, engineered, and clinical environments, bacteria often grow in protective biofilms. Therefore, a better understanding of plasmid transfer in biofilms is needed. Our aim was to investigate plasmid transfer in a biofilm-adapted wrinkly colony mutant of Xanthomonas retroflexus (XRw) with enhanced matrix production and reduced motility. We found that XRw biofilms had an increased uptake of the broad host-range IncP-1ϵ plasmid pKJK5 compared to the wild type (WT). Proteomics revealed fewer flagellar-associated proteins in XRw, suggesting that flagella were responsible for reducing plasmid uptake. This was confirmed by the higher plasmid uptake of non-flagellated fliM mutants of the X. retroflexus wrinkly mutant as well as the wild type. Moreover, testing several flagellar mutants of Pseudomonas putida suggested that the flagellar effect was more general. We identified seven mechanisms with the potential to explain the flagellar effect and simulated them in an individual-based model. Two mechanisms could thus be eliminated (increased distances between cells and increased lag times due to flagella). Another mechanism identified as viable in the modeling was eliminated by further experiments. The possibility of steric hindrance of pilus movement and binding by flagella, reducing the frequency of contact and thus plasmid uptake, proved viable, and the three other viable mechanisms had a reduced probability of plasmid transfer in common. Our findings highlight the important yet complex effects of flagella during bacterial conjugation in biofilms.IMPORTANCEBiofilms are the dominant form of microbial life and bacteria living in biofilms are markedly different from their planktonic counterparts, yet the impact of the biofilm lifestyle on horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is still poorly understood. Horizontal gene transfer by conjugative plasmids is a major driver in bacterial evolution and adaptation, as exemplified by the troubling spread of antibiotic resistance. To either limit or promote plasmid prevalence and dissemination, we need a better understanding of plasmid transfer between bacterial cells, especially in biofilms. Here, we identified a new factor impacting the transfer of plasmids, flagella, which are required for many types of bacterial motility. We show that their absence or altered activity can lead to enhanced plasmid uptake in two bacterial species, Xanthomonas retroflexus and Pseudomonas putida. Moreover, we demonstrate the utility of mathematical modeling to eliminate hypothetical mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henriette Lyng Røder
- Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eleni Christidi
- School of Biosciences & Institute of Microbiology and Infection & Centre for Computational Biology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Samra Music
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Birte Svensson
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Jakob Herschend
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jan-Ulrich Kreft
- School of Biosciences & Institute of Microbiology and Infection & Centre for Computational Biology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Mette Burmølle
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Lee MMY, Kuan NL, Li ZY, Yeh KS. Occurrence and characteristics of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase- and pAmpC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from companion animals with urinary tract infections. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296709. [PMID: 38227590 PMCID: PMC10790997 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
This study examined 70 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates derived from companion animals with urinary tract infections in Taiwan. Overall, 81% (57/70) of the isolates carried extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and/or plasmid-encoded AmpC (pAmpC) genes. ESBL genes were detected in 19 samples, with blaCTX-M-1, blaCTX-M-9, and blaSHV being the predominant groups. pAmpC genes were detected in 56 isolates, with blaCIT and blaDHA being the predominant groups. Multilocus sequence typing revealed that sequence types (ST)11, ST15, and ST655 were prevalent. wabG, uge, entB, mrkD, and fimH were identified as primary virulence genes. Two isolates demonstrated a hypermucoviscosity phenotype in the string test. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing exhibited high resistance to β-lactams and fluoroquinolones in ESBL-positive isolates but low resistance to aminoglycosides, sulfonamides, and carbapenems. Isolates carrying pAmpC genes exhibited resistance to penicillin-class β-lactams. These findings provide valuable insights into the role of K. pneumoniae in the context of the concept of One Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Min Yi Lee
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Nan-Ling Kuan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Biology Division, Veterinary Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Tansui, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Zhi-Yi Li
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuang-Sheng Yeh
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Arbé-Carton K, Rey-Sogo A, Santos-Fernández N, Altube O, Garbisu C, Arana L, Alkorta I. Development of a high-throughput platform to measure plasmid transfer frequency. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1269732. [PMID: 37886666 PMCID: PMC10598849 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1269732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance represents one of the greatest threats to global health. The spread of antibiotic resistance genes among bacteria occurs mostly through horizontal gene transfer via conjugation mediated by plasmids. This process implies a direct contact between a donor and a recipient bacterium which acquires the antibiotic resistance genes encoded by the plasmid and, concomitantly, the capacity to transfer the acquired plasmid to a new recipient. Classical assays for the measurement of plasmid transfer frequency (i.e., conjugation frequency) are often characterized by a high variability and, hence, they require many biological and technical replicates to reduce such variability and the accompanying uncertainty. In addition, classical conjugation assays are commonly tedious and time-consuming because they typically involve counting colonies on a large number of plates for the quantification of donors, recipients, and transconjugants (i.e., the bacteria that have received the genetic material by conjugation). Due to the magnitude of the antibiotic resistance problem, it is critical to develop reliable and rapid methods for the quantification of plasmid transfer frequency that allow the simultaneous analysis of many samples. Here, we present the development of a high-throughput, reliable, quick, easy, and cost-effective method to simultaneously accomplish and measure multiple conjugation events in 96-well plates, in which the quantification of donors, recipients, and transconjugants is estimated from the time required to reach a specific threshold value (OD600 value) in the bacterial growth curves. Our method successfully discriminates different plasmid transfer frequencies, yielding results that are equivalent to those obtained by a classical conjugation assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kepa Arbé-Carton
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bilbao, Spain
| | - Ana Rey-Sogo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bilbao, Spain
| | - Nagore Santos-Fernández
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bilbao, Spain
| | - Oihane Altube
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bilbao, Spain
| | - Carlos Garbisu
- Department of Conservation of Natural Resources, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Spain
| | - Lide Arana
- Department of Applied Chemistry, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Donostia, Spain
| | - Itziar Alkorta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bilbao, Spain
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10
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Yin L, Wang X, Xu H, Yin B, Wang X, Zhang Y, Li X, Luo Y, Chen Z. Unrecognized risk of perfluorooctane sulfonate in promoting conjugative transfers of bacterial antibiotic resistance genes. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0053323. [PMID: 37565764 PMCID: PMC10537727 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00533-23] [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: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a major global health crisis facing humanity, with horizontal gene transfer (HGT) as a principal dissemination mechanism in the natural and clinical environments. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are emerging contaminants of global concern due to their high persistence in the environment and adverse effects on humans. However, it is unknown whether PFASs affect the HGT of bacterial antibiotic resistance. Using a genetically engineered Escherichia coli MG1655 as the donor of plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), E. coli J53 and soil bacterial community as two different recipients, this study demonstrated that the conjugation frequency of ARGs between two E. coli strains was (1.45 ± 0.17) × 10-5 and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) at environmentally relevant concentrations (2-50 μg L-1) increased conjugation transfer between E. coli strains by up to 3.25-fold. Increases in reactive oxygen species production, cell membrane permeability, biofilm formation capacity, and cell contact in two E. coli strains were proposed as major promotion mechanisms from PFOS exposure. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis of transcriptome data identified a series of candidate genes whose expression changes could contribute to the increase in conjugation transfer induced by PFOS. Furthermore, PFOS also generally increased the ARG transfer into the studied soil bacterial community, although the uptake ability of different community members of the plasmid either increased or decreased upon PFOS exposure depending on specific bacterial taxa. Overall, this study reveals an unrecognized risk of PFOS in accelerating the dissemination of antibiotic resistance. IMPORTANCE Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are emerging contaminants of global concern due to their high persistence in the environment and adverse health effects. Although the influence of environmental pollutants on the spread of antibiotic resistance, one of the biggest threats to global health, has attracted increasing attention in recent years, it is unknown whether environmental residues of PFASs affect the dissemination of bacterial antibiotic resistance. Considering PFASs, often called "forever" compounds, have significantly higher environmental persistence than most emerging organic contaminants, exploring the effect of PFASs on the spread of antibiotic resistance is more environmentally relevant and has essential ecological and health significance. By systematically examining the influence of perfluorooctane sulfonate on the antibiotic resistance gene conjugative transfer, not only at the single-strain level but also at the community level, this study has uncovered an unrecognized risk of PFASs in promoting conjugative transfers of bacterial antibiotic resistance genes, which could be incorporated into the risk assessment framework of PFASs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lichun Yin
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaolong Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Han Xu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Bo Yin
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xingshuo Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yulin Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xinyao Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yi Luo
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zeyou Chen
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
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11
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Kompes G, Duvnjak S, Reil I, Hendriksen RS, Sørensen LH, Zdelar-Tuk M, Habrun B, Cvetnić L, Bagarić A, Špičić S. First Report and Characterization of the mcr-1 Positive Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Strain Isolated from Pigs in Croatia. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2442. [PMID: 37894098 PMCID: PMC10609023 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence and rapid spread of the plasmid-mediated colistin-resistant mcr-1 gene introduced a serious threat to public health. In 2021, a multi-drug resistant, mcr-1 positive Escherichia coli EC1945 strain, was isolated from pig caecal content in Croatia. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole genome sequencing were performed. Bioinformatics tools were used to determine the presence of resistance genes, plasmid Inc groups, serotype, sequence type, virulence factors, and plasmid reconstruction. The isolated strain showed phenotypic and genotypic resistance to nine antimicrobial classes. It was resistant to colistin, gentamicin, ampicillin, cefepime, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, sulfamethoxazole, chloramphenicol, nalidixic acid, and ciprofloxacin. Antimicrobial resistance genes included mcr-1, blaTEM-1B, blaCTX-M-1, aac(3)-IId, aph(3')-Ia, aadA5, sul2, catA1, gyrA (S83L, D87N), and parC (A56T, S80I). The mcr-1 gene was located within the conjugative IncX4 plasmid. IncI1, IncFIB, and IncFII plasmids were also detected. The isolate also harbored 14 virulence genes and was classified as ST744 and O101:H10. ST744 is a member of the ST10 group which includes commensal, extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli isolates that play a crucial role as a reservoir of genes. Further efforts are needed to identify mcr-1-carrying E. coli isolates in Croatia, especially in food-producing animals to identify such gene reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordan Kompes
- Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.K.); (M.Z.-T.); (B.H.); (L.C.); (A.B.); (S.Š.)
| | - Sanja Duvnjak
- Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.K.); (M.Z.-T.); (B.H.); (L.C.); (A.B.); (S.Š.)
| | - Irena Reil
- Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.K.); (M.Z.-T.); (B.H.); (L.C.); (A.B.); (S.Š.)
| | - Rene S. Hendriksen
- Research Group for Global Capacity Building, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark; (R.S.H.); (L.H.S.)
| | - Lauge Holm Sørensen
- Research Group for Global Capacity Building, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark; (R.S.H.); (L.H.S.)
| | - Maja Zdelar-Tuk
- Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.K.); (M.Z.-T.); (B.H.); (L.C.); (A.B.); (S.Š.)
| | - Boris Habrun
- Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.K.); (M.Z.-T.); (B.H.); (L.C.); (A.B.); (S.Š.)
| | - Luka Cvetnić
- Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.K.); (M.Z.-T.); (B.H.); (L.C.); (A.B.); (S.Š.)
| | - Antonela Bagarić
- Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.K.); (M.Z.-T.); (B.H.); (L.C.); (A.B.); (S.Š.)
| | - Silvio Špičić
- Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.K.); (M.Z.-T.); (B.H.); (L.C.); (A.B.); (S.Š.)
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12
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Guidotti-Takeuchi M, Melo RTD, Ribeiro LNDM, Dumont CF, Ribeiro RAC, Brum BDA, de Amorim Junior TLIF, Rossi DA. Interference with Bacterial Conjugation and Natural Alternatives to Antibiotics: Bridging a Gap. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1127. [PMID: 37508224 PMCID: PMC10376302 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12071127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in food matrices has been investigated under conditions that favor gene exchange. However, the major challenge lies in determining the specific conditions pertaining to the adapted microbial pairs associated with the food matrix. HGT is primarily responsible for enhancing the microbial repertoire for the evolution and spread of antimicrobial resistance and is a major target for controlling pathogens of public health concern in food ecosystems. In this study, we investigated Salmonella Heidelberg (SH) and Escherichia coli (EC) regarding gene exchange under conditions mimicking the industrial environment, with the coproducts whey (SL) and chicken juice (CJ). The S. Heidelberg strain was characterized by antibiotic susceptibility standards and PCR to detect the blaTEM gene. A concentration of 0.39 mg/mL was determined to evaluate the anti-conjugation activity of nanostructured lipid nanocarriers (NLCs) of essential oils to mitigate β-lactam resistance gene transfer. The results showed that the addition of these coproducts promoted an increase of more than 3.5 (whey) and 2.5 (chicken juice) orders of magnitude in the conjugation process (p < 0.01), and NLCs of sage essential oil significantly reduced the conjugation frequency (CF) by 74.90, 90.6, and 124.4 times when compared to the transfers in the absence of coproducts and the presence of SL and CJ, respectively. For NLCs from olibanum essential oil, the decrease was 4.46-fold for conjugations without inhibitors and 3.12- and 11.3-fold in the presence of SL and CJ. NLCs associated with sage and olibanum essential oils effectively control the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes and are a promising alternative for use at industrial levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micaela Guidotti-Takeuchi
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38402-018, MG, Brazil
| | - Roberta Torres de Melo
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38402-018, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Carolyne Ferreira Dumont
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38402-018, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Bárbara de Araújo Brum
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38402-018, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Daise Aparecida Rossi
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38402-018, MG, Brazil
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13
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Ma Y, Ramoneda J, Johnson DR. Timing of antibiotic administration determines the spread of plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance during microbial range expansion. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3530. [PMID: 37316482 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39354-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmids are the main vector by which antibiotic resistance is transferred between bacterial cells within surface-associated communities. In this study, we ask whether there is an optimal time to administer antibiotics to minimize plasmid spread in new bacterial genotypes during community expansion across surfaces. We address this question using consortia of Pseudomonas stutzeri strains, where one is an antibiotic resistance-encoding plasmid donor and the other a potential recipient. We allowed the strains to co-expand across a surface and administered antibiotics at different times. We find that plasmid transfer and transconjugant proliferation have unimodal relationships with the timing of antibiotic administration, where they reach maxima at intermediate times. These unimodal relationships result from the interplay between the probabilities of plasmid transfer and loss. Our study provides mechanistic insights into the transfer and proliferation of antibiotic resistance-encoding plasmids within microbial communities and identifies the timing of antibiotic administration as an important determinant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinyin Ma
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland.
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), 8092, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Josep Ramoneda
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - David R Johnson
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland.
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
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14
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Kosterlitz O, Huisman JS. Guidelines for the estimation and reporting of plasmid conjugation rates. Plasmid 2023; 126:102685. [PMID: 37121291 DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2023.102685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Conjugation is a central characteristic of plasmid biology and an important mechanism of horizontal gene transfer in bacteria. However, there is little consensus on how to accurately estimate and report plasmid conjugation rates, in part due to the wide range of available methods. Given the similarity between approaches, we propose general reporting guidelines for plasmid conjugation experiments. These constitute best practices based on recent literature about plasmid conjugation and methods to measure conjugation rates. In addition to the general guidelines, we discuss common theoretical assumptions underlying existing methods to estimate conjugation rates and provide recommendations on how to avoid violating these assumptions. We hope this will aid the implementation and evaluation of conjugation rate measurements, and initiate a broader discussion regarding the practice of quantifying plasmid conjugation rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Kosterlitz
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, 3747 W Stevens Way NE, Life Sciences Bldg, Seattle, Washington, United States of America.
| | - Jana S Huisman
- Institute of Integrative Biology, Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Universitätsstrasse 16, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland.
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15
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Patkowski JB, Dahlberg T, Amin H, Gahlot DK, Vijayrajratnam S, Vogel JP, Francis MS, Baker JL, Andersson M, Costa TRD. The F-pilus biomechanical adaptability accelerates conjugative dissemination of antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1879. [PMID: 37019921 PMCID: PMC10076315 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37600-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Conjugation is used by bacteria to propagate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment. Central to this process are widespread conjugative F-pili that establish the connection between donor and recipient cells, thereby facilitating the spread of IncF plasmids among enteropathogenic bacteria. Here, we show that the F-pilus is highly flexible but robust at the same time, properties that increase its resistance to thermochemical and mechanical stresses. By a combination of biophysical and molecular dynamics methods, we establish that the presence of phosphatidylglycerol molecules in the F-pilus contributes to the structural stability of the polymer. Moreover, this structural stability is important for successful delivery of DNA during conjugation and facilitates rapid formation of biofilms in harsh environmental conditions. Thus, our work highlights the importance of F-pilus structural adaptations for the efficient spread of AMR genes in a bacterial population and for the formation of biofilms that protect against the action of antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonasz B Patkowski
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Tobias Dahlberg
- Department of Physics, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Himani Amin
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | | | - Sukhithasri Vijayrajratnam
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Joseph P Vogel
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Matthew S Francis
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Joseph L Baker
- Department of Chemistry, The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ, 08628, USA.
| | | | - Tiago R D Costa
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
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16
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Wang S, Li S, Du D, Abass OK, Nasir MS, Yan W. Stimulants and donors promote megaplasmid pND6-2 horizontal gene transfer in activated sludge. J Environ Sci (China) 2023; 126:742-753. [PMID: 36503799 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2022.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The activated sludge process is characterized by high microbial density and diversity, both of which facilitate antibiotic resistance gene transfer. Many studies have suggested that antibiotic and non-antibiotic drugs at sub-inhibitory concentrations are major inducers of conjugative gene transfer. The self-transmissible plasmid pND6-2 is one of the endogenous plasmids harbored in Pseudomonas putida ND6, which can trigger the transfer of another co-occurring naphthalene-degrading plasmid pND6-1. Therefore, to illustrate the potential influence of stimulants on conjugative transfer of pND6-2, we evaluated the effects of four antibiotics (ampicillin, gentamycin, kanamycin, and tetracycline) and naphthalene, on the conjugal transfer efficiency of pND6-2 by filter-mating experiment. Our findings demonstrated that all stimulants within an optimal dose promoted conjugative transfer of pND6-2 from Pseudomonas putida GKND6 to P. putida KT2440, with tetracycline being the most effective (100 µg/L and 10 µg/L), as it enhanced pND6-2-mediated intra-genera transfer by approximately one hundred-fold. Subsequently, seven AS reactors were constructed with the addition of donors and different stimulants to further elucidate the conjugative behavior of pND6-2 in natural environment. The stimulants positively affected the conjugal process of pND6-2, while donors reshaped the host abundance in the sludge. This was likely because stimulant addition enhanced the expression levels of conjugation transfer-related genes. Furthermore, Blastocatella and Chitinimonas were identified as the potential receptors of plasmid pND6-2, which was not affected by donor types. These findings demonstrate the positive role of sub-inhibitory stimulant treatment on pND6-2 conjugal transfer and the function of donors in re-shaping the host spectrum of pND6-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Wang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Recycling and Resource Recovery, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Recycling and Resource Recovery, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Dan Du
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Recycling and Resource Recovery, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Olusegun K Abass
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Muhammad Salman Nasir
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Recycling and Resource Recovery, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China; Department of Structures and Environmental Engineering, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Wei Yan
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Recycling and Resource Recovery, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
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17
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Das BJ, Singha KM, Chanda DD, Bhattacharjee A. Elimination of diverse Inc type plasmids carrying carbapenemase genes within Escherichia coli of clinical origin: A single-center study from North-east India. GENE REPORTS 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2023.101770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
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18
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Michaelis C, Grohmann E. Horizontal Gene Transfer of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Biofilms. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12020328. [PMID: 36830238 PMCID: PMC9952180 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Most bacteria attach to biotic or abiotic surfaces and are embedded in a complex matrix which is known as biofilm. Biofilm formation is especially worrisome in clinical settings as it hinders the treatment of infections with antibiotics due to the facilitated acquisition of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Environmental settings are now considered as pivotal for driving biofilm formation, biofilm-mediated antibiotic resistance development and dissemination. Several studies have demonstrated that environmental biofilms can be hotspots for the dissemination of ARGs. These genes can be encoded on mobile genetic elements (MGEs) such as conjugative and mobilizable plasmids or integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs). ARGs can be rapidly transferred through horizontal gene transfer (HGT) which has been shown to occur more frequently in biofilms than in planktonic cultures. Biofilm models are promising tools to mimic natural biofilms to study the dissemination of ARGs via HGT. This review summarizes the state-of-the-art of biofilm studies and the techniques that visualize the three main HGT mechanisms in biofilms: transformation, transduction, and conjugation.
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19
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Sánchez-Osuna M, Barbé J, Erill I. Systematic In Silico Assessment of Antimicrobial Resistance Dissemination across the Global Plasmidome. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12020281. [PMID: 36830192 PMCID: PMC9951915 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of pathogenic strains resistant to multiple antimicrobials is a pressing problem in modern healthcare. Antimicrobial resistance is mediated primarily by dissemination of resistance determinants via horizontal gene transfer. The dissemination of some resistance genes has been well documented, but few studies have analyzed the patterns underpinning the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes. Analyzing the %GC content of plasmid-borne antimicrobial resistance genes relative to their host genome %GC content provides a means to efficiently detect and quantify dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes. In this work we automate %GC content analysis to perform a comprehensive analysis of known antimicrobial resistance genes in publicly available plasmid sequences. We find that the degree to which antimicrobial resistance genes are disseminated depends primarily on the resistance mechanism. Our analysis identifies conjugative plasmids as primary dissemination vectors and indicates that most broadly disseminated genes have spread from single genomic backgrounds. We show that resistance dissemination profiles vary greatly among antimicrobials, oftentimes reflecting stewardship measures. Our findings establish %GC content analysis as a powerful, intuitive and scalable method to monitor the dissemination of resistance determinants using publicly available sequence data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miquel Sánchez-Osuna
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Jordi Barbé
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.B.); (I.E.); Tel.: +1-410-455-2470 (I.E.); Fax: +1-410-455-3875 (I.E.)
| | - Ivan Erill
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
- Correspondence: (J.B.); (I.E.); Tel.: +1-410-455-2470 (I.E.); Fax: +1-410-455-3875 (I.E.)
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20
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Nayar G, Terrizzano I, Seabolt E, Agarwal A, Boucher C, Ruiz J, Slizovskiy IB, Kaufman JH, Noyes NR. ggMOB: Elucidation of genomic conjugative features and associated cargo genes across bacterial genera using genus-genus mobilization networks. Front Genet 2022; 13:1024577. [PMID: 36568361 PMCID: PMC9779932 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1024577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer mediated by conjugation is considered an important evolutionary mechanism of bacteria. It allows organisms to quickly evolve new phenotypic properties including antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence. The frequency of conjugation-mediated cargo gene exchange has not yet been comprehensively studied within and between bacterial taxa. We developed a frequency-based network of genus-genus conjugation features and candidate cargo genes from whole-genome sequence data of over 180,000 bacterial genomes, representing 1,345 genera. Using our method, which we refer to as ggMOB, we revealed that over half of the bacterial genomes contained one or more known conjugation features that matched exactly to at least one other genome. Moreover, the proportion of genomes containing these conjugation features varied substantially by genus and conjugation feature. These results and the genus-level network structure can be viewed interactively in the ggMOB interface, which allows for user-defined filtering of conjugation features and candidate cargo genes. Using the network data, we observed that the ratio of AMR gene representation in conjugative versus non-conjugative genomes exceeded 5:1, confirming that conjugation is a critical force for AMR spread across genera. Finally, we demonstrated that clustering genomes by conjugation profile sometimes correlated well with classical phylogenetic structuring; but that in some cases the clustering was highly discordant, suggesting that the importance of the accessory genome in driving bacterial evolution may be highly variable across both time and taxonomy. These results can advance scientific understanding of bacterial evolution, and can be used as a starting point for probing genus-genus gene exchange within complex microbial communities that include unculturable bacteria. ggMOB is publicly available under the GNU licence at https://ruiz-hci-lab.github.io/ggMOB/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gowri Nayar
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | | | - Ed Seabolt
- IBM Research Almaden, San Jose, CA, United States
| | | | - Christina Boucher
- Department of Computer and Information Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Jaime Ruiz
- Department of Computer and Information Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Ilya B. Slizovskiy
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | | | - Noelle R. Noyes
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States,*Correspondence: Noelle R. Noyes,
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21
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Alvarez-Molina A, Trigal E, Prieto M, López M, Alvarez-Ordóñez A. Assessment of a plasmid conjugation procedure to monitor horizontal transfer of an extended-spectrum β-lactamase resistance gene under food chain scenarios. Curr Res Food Sci 2022; 6:100405. [PMID: 36506112 PMCID: PMC9732120 DOI: 10.1016/j.crfs.2022.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmids are relevant reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) which confer adaptive advantages to their host and can be horizontally transferred. The aims of this study were to develop a conjugation procedure to monitor the horizontal transfer of a 193 kb plasmid containing the extended-spectrum β-lactamase production gene bla CTX-M-14 between two Escherichia coli strains under a range of food chain-related scenarios, including temperature (20-37 °C), pH (5.0-9.0) or the presence of some biocidal agents (benzalkonium chloride, sodium hypochlorite or peracetic acid). The average conjugation rate in LB broth after 18 h at 37 °C was 2.09e-04 and similar rates were observed in a food matrix (cow's milk). The conjugation was reduced at temperatures below 37 °C, at alkaline pH (especially at pH 9.0) or in the presence of benzalkonium chloride. Peracetic acid and sodium hypochlorite slightly increased conjugation rates, which reached 5.59e-04 and 6.77e-03, respectively. The conjugation procedure described can be used to identify risk scenarios leading to an enhanced ARGs transmission via plasmid conjugation, as well as to identify novel intervention strategies impairing plasmid conjugation and tackling antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena Trigal
- Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Miguel Prieto
- Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Universidad de León, León, Spain,Institute of Food Science and Technology, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Mercedes López
- Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Universidad de León, León, Spain,Institute of Food Science and Technology, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Avelino Alvarez-Ordóñez
- Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Universidad de León, León, Spain,Institute of Food Science and Technology, Universidad de León, León, Spain,Corresponding author. Campus de Vegazana, Veterinary Faculty, León, Spain.
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22
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Downing T, Rahm A. Bacterial plasmid-associated and chromosomal proteins have fundamentally different properties in protein interaction networks. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19203. [PMID: 36357451 PMCID: PMC9649638 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20809-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmids facilitate horizontal gene transfer, which enables the diversification of pathogens into new anatomical and environmental niches, implying that plasmid-encoded genes can cooperate well with chromosomal genes. We hypothesise that such mobile genes are functionally different to chromosomal ones due to this ability to encode proteins performing non-essential functions like antimicrobial resistance and traverse distinct host cells. The effect of plasmid-driven gene gain on protein-protein interaction network topology is an important question in this area. Moreover, the extent to which these chromosomally- and plasmid-encoded proteins interact with proteins from their own groups compared to the levels with the other group remains unclear. Here, we examined the incidence and protein-protein interactions of all known plasmid-encoded proteins across representative specimens from most bacteria using all available plasmids. We found that plasmid-encoded genes constitute ~ 0.65% of the total number of genes per bacterial sample, and that plasmid genes are preferentially associated with different species but had limited taxonomical power beyond this. Surprisingly, plasmid-encoded proteins had both more protein-protein interactions compared to chromosomal proteins, countering the hypothesis that genes with higher mobility rates should have fewer protein-level interactions. Nonetheless, topological analysis and investigation of the protein-protein interaction networks' connectivity and change in the number of independent components demonstrated that the plasmid-encoded proteins had limited overall impact in > 96% of samples. This paper assembled extensive data on plasmid-encoded proteins, their interactions and associations with diverse bacterial specimens that is available for the community to investigate in more detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Downing
- grid.15596.3e0000000102380260School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland ,grid.63622.330000 0004 0388 7540Present Address: The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, UK
| | - Alexander Rahm
- grid.449688.f0000 0004 0647 1487GAATI Lab, University of French Polynesia, Tahiti, French Polynesia
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Effects of Nutrient Level and Growth Rate on the Conjugation Process That Transfers Mobile Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Continuous Cultures. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0112122. [PMID: 36094214 PMCID: PMC9552606 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01121-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria in the effluent of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can transfer antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) to the bacteria in receiving water through conjugation; however, there is a lack of quantitative assessment of this phenomenon in continuous cultures. Our objective was to determine the effects of background nutrient levels in river water column and growth rates of bacteria on the conjugation frequency of ARGs from effluent bacteria to river bacteria, as well as on the resulting resistance level (i.e., MICs) of the river bacteria. Chemostats were employed to simulate the discharge points of WWTPs into rivers, where effluent bacteria (donor cells) meet river bacteria (recipient cells). Both donor and recipient cells were Escherichia coli cells, and the donor cells were constructed by filter mating with bacteria in the effluent of a local WWTP. Results showed that higher bacterial growth rate (0.45 h-1 versus 0.15 h-1) led to higher conjugation frequencies (10-4 versus 10-6 transconjugant per recipient). The nutrient level also significantly affected the conjugation frequency, albeit to a lesser extent than the growth rate. The MIC against tetracycline increased from 2 mg/L in the recipient to 64 to 128 mg/L in transconjugants. In comparison, the MIC only increased to as high as 8 mg/L in mutants. Whole-genome sequencing showed that the tet-containing plasmid in both the donor and the transconjugant cells also occur in other fecal bacterial genera. The quantitative information obtained from this study can inform hazard identification related to the proliferation of wastewater-associated ARGs in surface water. IMPORTANCE WWTPs have been regarded as an important hot spot of ARGs. The discharge point of WWTP effluent, where ARGs may be horizontally transferred from bacteria of treated wastewater to bacteria of receiving water, is an important interface between the human-dominated ecosystem and the natural environment. The use of batch cultures in previous studies cannot adequately simulate the nutrient conditions and growth rates in receiving water. In this study, chemostats were employed to simulate the continuous growth of bacteria in receiving water. Furthermore, the experimental setup allowed for separate investigations on the effects of nutrient levels (i.e., simulating background nutrients in river water) and bacterial growth rates on conjugation frequencies and resulting resistance levels. The study generates statistically sound ecological data that can be used to estimate the risk of wastewater-originated ARGs as part of the One Health framework.
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24
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Yong M, Chen Y, Oo G, Chang KC, Chu WHW, Teo J, Venkatachalam I, Thevasagayam NM, Sridatta PSR, Koh V, Marcoleta AE, Chen H, Nagarajan N, Kalisvar M, Ng OT, Gan YH. Dominant Carbapenemase-Encoding Plasmids in Clinical Enterobacterales Isolates and Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae, Singapore. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:1578-1588. [PMID: 35876475 PMCID: PMC9328930 DOI: 10.3201/eid2808.212542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Dissemination of carbapenemase-encoding plasmids by horizontal gene transfer in multidrug-resistant bacteria is the major driver of rising carbapenem-resistance, but the conjugative mechanics and evolution of clinically relevant plasmids are not yet clear. We performed whole-genome sequencing on 1,215 clinical Enterobacterales isolates collected in Singapore during 2010–2015. We identified 1,126 carbapenemase-encoding plasmids and discovered pKPC2 is becoming the dominant plasmid in Singapore, overtaking an earlier dominant plasmid, pNDM1. pKPC2 frequently conjugates with many Enterobacterales species, including hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae, and maintains stability in vitro without selection pressure and minimal adaptive sequence changes. Furthermore, capsule and decreasing taxonomic relatedness between donor and recipient pairs are greater conjugation barriers for pNDM1 than pKPC2. The low fitness costs pKPC2 exerts in Enterobacterales species indicate previously undetected carriage selection in other ecological settings. The ease of conjugation and stability of pKPC2 in hypervirulent K. pneumoniae could fuel spread into the community.
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25
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Kosterlitz O, Muñiz Tirado A, Wate C, Elg C, Bozic I, Top EM, Kerr B. Estimating the transfer rates of bacterial plasmids with an adapted Luria–Delbrück fluctuation analysis. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001732. [PMID: 35877684 PMCID: PMC9352209 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
To increase our basic understanding of the ecology and evolution of conjugative plasmids, we need reliable estimates of their rate of transfer between bacterial cells. Current assays to measure transfer rate are based on deterministic modeling frameworks. However, some cell numbers in these assays can be very small, making estimates that rely on these numbers prone to noise. Here, we take a different approach to estimate plasmid transfer rate, which explicitly embraces this noise. Inspired by the classic fluctuation analysis of Luria and Delbrück, our method is grounded in a stochastic modeling framework. In addition to capturing the random nature of plasmid conjugation, our new methodology, the Luria–Delbrück method (“LDM”), can be used on a diverse set of bacterial systems, including cases for which current approaches are inaccurate. A notable example involves plasmid transfer between different strains or species where the rate that one type of cell donates the plasmid is not equal to the rate at which the other cell type donates. Asymmetry in these rates has the potential to bias or constrain current transfer estimates, thereby limiting our capabilities for estimating transfer in microbial communities. In contrast, the LDM overcomes obstacles of traditional methods by avoiding restrictive assumptions about growth and transfer rates for each population within the assay. Using stochastic simulations and experiments, we show that the LDM has high accuracy and precision for estimation of transfer rates compared to the most widely used methods, which can produce estimates that differ from the LDM estimate by orders of magnitude. Plasmid transfer can often spread resistance between important clinical pathogens. This study shows that widely used methods can lead to biased estimates of plasmid transfer rate by several orders of magnitude, and presents a new approach, inspired by the classic Luria-Delbrück approach, for accurately assessing this fundamental rate parameter
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Kosterlitz
- Biology Department, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail: (OK); (BK)
| | - Adamaris Muñiz Tirado
- Biology Department, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Claire Wate
- Biology Department, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Clint Elg
- BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences and Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
| | - Ivana Bozic
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Eva M. Top
- BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences and Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
| | - Benjamin Kerr
- Biology Department, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail: (OK); (BK)
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26
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Darphorn TS, Brul S, Ter Kuile BH. Genetic editing of multi-resistance plasmids in Escherichia coli isolated from meat during transfer. Plasmid 2022; 122:102640. [PMID: 35870604 DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2022.102640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Resistance plasmids mediate the rapid spread of antimicrobial resistance, which poses a threat to veterinary and human healthcare. This study addresses the question whether resistance plasmids from Escherichia coli isolated from foodstuffs always transfer unchanged to recipient E. coli cells, or that genetic editing can occur. Strains containing between one and five different plasmids were co-incubated with a standard recipient strain. Plasmids isolated from transconjugant strains were sequenced using short and long read technologies and compared to the original plasmids from the donor strains. After one hour of co-incubation only a single plasmid was transferred from donor to recipient strains. If the donor possessed several plasmids, longer co-incubation resulted in multiple plasmids being transferred. Transferred plasmids showed mutations, mostly in mobile genetic elements, in the conjugative transfer gene pilV and in genes involved in plasmid maintenance. In one transconjugant, a resistance cluster encoding tetracycline resistance was acquired by the IncI1 plasmid from the IncX1 plasmid that was also present in the donor strain, but that was not transferred. A single plasmid transferred twelve times back and forth between E. coli strains resulted in a fully conserved plasmid with no mutations, apart from repetitive rearrangements of pilV from and back to its original conformation in the donor strain. The overall outcome suggests that some genetic mutations and rearrangements can occur during plasmid transfer. The possibility of such mutations should be taken into consideration in epidemiological research aimed at attribution of resistance to specific sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania S Darphorn
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Microbial Food Safety, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Stanley Brul
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Microbial Food Safety, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Benno H Ter Kuile
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Microbial Food Safety, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, Office for Risk Assessment, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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27
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Darphorn TS, Koenders-van Sintanneland BB, Grootemaat AE, van der Wel NN, Brul S, ter Kuile BH. Transfer dynamics of multi-resistance plasmids in Escherichia coli isolated from meat. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0270205. [PMID: 35797379 PMCID: PMC9262221 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance plasmids are crucial for the transfer of antimicrobial resistance and thus form a matter of concern for veterinary and human healthcare. To study plasmid transfer, foodborne Escherichia coli isolates harboring one to five known plasmids were co-incubated with a general recipient strain. Plasmid transfer rates under standardized conditions varied by a factor of almost 106, depending on the recipient/donor strain combination. After 1 hour transconjugants never accounted for more than 3% of the total number of cells. Transconjugants were formed from 14 donors within 1 hour of co-incubation, but in the case of 3 donors 24 hours were needed. Transfer rates were also measured during longer co-incubation, between different species and during repeated back and forth transfer. Longer co-incubation resulted in the transfer of more types of resistance. Maximum growth rates of donor strains varied by a factor of 3. Donor strains often had higher growth rates than the corresponding transconjugants, which grew at the same rate as or slightly faster than the recipient. Hence, possessing one or more plasmids does not seem to burden the harboring strain metabolically. Transfer was species specific and repeated transfer of one plasmid did not result in different transfer rates over time. Transmission Electron microcopy was used to analyze the morphology of the connection between co-incubated strains. Connection by more pili between the cells resulted in better aggregate formation and corresponded with higher transfer rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania S. Darphorn
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Microbial Food Safety, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Belinda B. Koenders-van Sintanneland
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Microbial Food Safety, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anita E. Grootemaat
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Electron Microscopy Centre Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicole N. van der Wel
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Electron Microscopy Centre Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stanley Brul
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Microbial Food Safety, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Benno H. ter Kuile
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Microbial Food Safety, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, Office for Risk Assessment, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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28
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Nohejl T, Valcek A, Papousek I, Palkovicova J, Wailan AM, Pratova H, Minoia M, Dolejska M. Genomic analysis of qnr-harbouring IncX plasmids and their transferability within different hosts under induced stress. BMC Microbiol 2022; 22:136. [PMID: 35590235 PMCID: PMC9118779 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-022-02546-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Conjugative plasmids play a major role in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes. Knowledge of the plasmid characteristics and behaviour can allow development of control strategies. Here we focus on the IncX group of plasmids carrying genes conferring quinolone resistance (PMQR), reporting their transfer and persistence within host bacteria of various genotypes under distinct conditions and levels of induced stress in form of temperature change and various concentrations of ciprofloxacin supplementation. Methods Complete nucleotide sequences were determined for eight qnr-carrying IncX-type plasmids, of IncX1 (3), IncX2 (3) and a hybrid IncX1-2 (2) types, recovered from Escherichia coli of various origins. This data was compared with further complete sequences of IncX1 and IncX2 plasmids carrying qnr genes (n = 41) retrieved from GenBank and phylogenetic tree was constructed. Representatives of IncX1 (pHP2) and IncX2 (p194) and their qnrS knockout mutants, were studied for influence of induced stress and genetic background on conjugative transfer and maintenance. Results A high level of IncX core-genome similarity was found in plasmids of animal, environmental and clinical origin. Significant differences were found between the individual IncX plasmids, with IncX1 subgroup plasmids showing higher conjugative transfer rates than IncX2 plasmids. Knockout of qnr modified transfer frequency of both plasmids. Two stresses applied simultaneously were needed to affect transfer rate of wildtype plasmids, whereas a single stress was sufficient to affect the IncX ΔqnrS plasmids. The conjugative transfer was shown to be biased towards the host phylogenetic proximity. A long-term cultivation experiment pointed out the persistence of IncX plasmids in the antibiotic-free environment. Conclusions The study indicated the stimulating effect of ciprofloxacin supplementation on the plasmid transfer that can be nullified by the carriage of a single PMQR gene. The findings present the significant properties and behaviour of IncX plasmids carrying antibiotic resistance genes that are likely to play a role in their dissemination and stability in bacterial populations. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12866-022-02546-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Nohejl
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.,CEITEC, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Adam Valcek
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.,CEITEC, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Center, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Ivo Papousek
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Palkovicova
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.,CEITEC, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Alexander M Wailan
- Parasites and Microbes, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Hana Pratova
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.,CEITEC, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marco Minoia
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.,CEITEC, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Monika Dolejska
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic. .,CEITEC, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic. .,Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Center, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic. .,Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, The University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.
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29
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Conjugative transfer of mcr-1-bearing plasmid from Salmonella to Escherichia coli in vitro on chicken meat and in mouse gut. Food Res Int 2022; 157:111263. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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30
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Duong TTT, Tsai YM, Wen LL, Chiu HC, Chen PK, Thuy TTD, Kuo PY, Hidrosollo JH, Wang S, Zhang YZ, Lin WH, Wang MC, Kao CY. A Longitudinal Nine-Year Study of the Molecular Epidemiology of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterales Isolated From a Regional Hospital in Taiwan: Predominance of Carbapenemase KPC-2 and OXA-48. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:703113. [PMID: 35359715 PMCID: PMC8963713 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.703113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterobacterales clinical isolates are now being resistant to clinically achievable concentrations of most commonly used antibiotics that makes treatment of hospitalized patients very challenging. We hereby determine the molecular characteristics of carbapenemase genes in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) isolates in Taiwan. A total of 455 CRE isolates were identified between August 2011 to July 2020. Minimum inhibitory concentrations for selected carbapenems were tested using Vitek 2, and carbapenemase genes were determined using polymerase chain reaction in combination with sequencing. Phenotypic detection of carbapenemase was determined by modified carbapenem inactivation method (mCIM) and EDTA-modified carbapenem inactivation method (eCIM) to validate our PCR screening results. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to determine the clonality of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) isolates, and the transferability of carbapenemase-carrying plasmids was determined by conjugation assays. A slight increase in carbapenem-resistant E. coli (CREC) was observed, however, the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) was steady, during 2011–2020. The dominant species among our CRE was K. pneumoniae (270/455, 59.3%), followed by E. coli (81/455, 17.8%), Morganella morganii (32/455, 7.0%), and Enterobacter cloacae (25/455, 5.5%). From 2011 to 2020, the total percentage of CPE increased steadily, accounting for 61.0% of CRE in 2020. Moreover, 122 of 455 CRE isolates (26.8%) were CPE. Among the CPE isolates, the dominant carbapenemase gene was blaOXA–48–like (54/122, 44.3%), and the second most common carbapenemase gene was blaKPC–2 (47/122, 38.5%). The sensitivity and specificity for mCIM to detect carbapenemase in the 455 isolates were both 100% in this study. The PFGE results showed that 39 carbapenemase-producing E. coli and 69 carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae isolates carrying blaKPC–2 and/or blaNDM–5 could be classified into 5 and 12 clusters, respectively. In conclusion, our results showed an increase in CPE isolates in Taiwan. Moreover, the distribution of carbapenemase and antimicrobial susceptibility in CPE were associated with PFGE typing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tran Thi Thuy Duong
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Min Tsai
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, En Chu Kong Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Li-Li Wen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, En Chu Kong Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Chuan Chiu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, En Chu Kong Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Pek Kee Chen
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tran Thi Dieu Thuy
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Yun Kuo
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jazon Harl Hidrosollo
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shining Wang
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Zhen Zhang
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Hung Lin
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Cheng Wang
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Yen Kao
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Cheng-Yen Kao,
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31
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Huisman JS, Benz F, Duxbury SJN, de Visser JAGM, Hall AR, Fischer EAJ, Bonhoeffer S. Estimating plasmid conjugation rates: A new computational tool and a critical comparison of methods. Plasmid 2022; 121:102627. [PMID: 35271855 DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2022.102627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Plasmids are important vectors for the spread of genes among diverse populations of bacteria. However, there is no standard method to determine the rate at which they spread horizontally via conjugation. Here, we compare commonly used methods on simulated and experimental data, and show that the resulting conjugation rate estimates often depend strongly on the time of measurement, the initial population densities, or the initial ratio of donor to recipient populations. Differences in growth rate, e.g. induced by sub-lethal antibiotic concentrations or temperature, can also significantly bias conjugation rate estimates. We derive a new 'end-point' measure to estimate conjugation rates, which extends the well-known Simonsen method to include the effects of differences in population growth and conjugation rates from donors and transconjugants. We further derive analytical expressions for the parameter range in which these approximations remain valid. We present an easy to use R package and web interface which implement both new and previously existing methods to estimate conjugation rates. The result is a set of tools and guidelines for accurate and comparable measurement of plasmid conjugation rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana S Huisman
- Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Fabienne Benz
- Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sarah J N Duxbury
- Laboratory of Genetics, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Alex R Hall
- Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Egil A J Fischer
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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32
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Saraiva MMS, Silva NMV, Ferreira VA, Moreira Filho ALB, Givisiez PEN, Freitas Neto OC, Berchieri Júnior A, Gebreyes WA, Oliveira CJB. Residual concentrations of antimicrobial growth promoters in poultry litter favour plasmid conjugation among Escherichia coli. Lett Appl Microbiol 2022; 74:831-838. [PMID: 35138674 DOI: 10.1111/lam.13671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Considering that plasmid conjugation is a major driver for the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria, this study aimed to investigate the effects of residual concentrations of antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs) in poultry litter on the frequencies of IncFII-FIB plasmid conjugation among Escherichia coli organisms. A 2x5 factorial trial was performed in vitro, using two types of litter materials (sugarcane bagasse and wood shavings) and five treatments of litter: non-treated (CON), herbal alkaloid sanguinarine (SANG), and AGPs monensin (MON), lincomycin (LCM), and virginiamycin (VIR). E. coli H2332 and E. coli J62 were used as donor and recipient strains, respectively.The presence of residues of monensin, lincomycin and virginiamycin increased the frequency of plasmid conjugation among E. coli in both types of litter materials. On the contrary, sanguinarine significantly reduced the frequency of conjugation among E. coli in sugarcane bagasse litter. The conjugation frequencies were significantly higher in wood shavings compared to sugarcane bagasse only in the presence of AGPs. Considering that the presence of AGPs in the litter can increase the conjugation of IncFII-FIB plasmids carrying antimicrobial resistance genes, the real impact of this phenomenon on the dissemination of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in the poultry production chain must be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M S Saraiva
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Paraiba (CCA/UFPB), Areia, PB, Brazil.,Department of Pathology, Theriogenology and One Health, Laboratory of Ornithopathology, São Paulo State University (FCAV/Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - N M V Silva
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Paraiba (CCA/UFPB), Areia, PB, Brazil.,Instituto Federal do Sertão Pernambucano - Campus Petrolina
| | - V A Ferreira
- Department of Pathology, Theriogenology and One Health, Laboratory of Ornithopathology, São Paulo State University (FCAV/Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - A L B Moreira Filho
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Human, Social and Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Paraiba (CCHSA/UFPB), Bananeiras, PB, Brazil
| | - P E N Givisiez
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Paraiba (CCA/UFPB), Areia, PB, Brazil
| | - O C Freitas Neto
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - A Berchieri Júnior
- Department of Pathology, Theriogenology and One Health, Laboratory of Ornithopathology, São Paulo State University (FCAV/Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - W A Gebreyes
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.,Global One health initiative (GOHi), The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - C J B Oliveira
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Paraiba (CCA/UFPB), Areia, PB, Brazil.,Global One health initiative (GOHi), The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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33
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Alderliesten JB, Zwart MP, de Visser JAGM, Stegeman A, Fischer EAJ. Second compartment widens plasmid invasion conditions: Two-compartment pair-formation model of conjugation in the gut. J Theor Biol 2022; 533:110937. [PMID: 34678229 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2021.110937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Understanding under which conditions conjugative plasmids encoding antibiotic resistance can invade bacterial communities in the gut is of particular interest to combat the spread of antibiotic resistance within and between animals and humans. We extended a one-compartment model of conjugation to a two-compartment model, to analyse how differences in plasmid dynamics in the gut lumen and at the gut wall affect the invasion of plasmids. We compared scenarios with one and two compartments, different migration rates between the lumen and wall compartments, and different population dynamics. We focused on the effect of attachment and detachment rates on plasmid dynamics, explicitly describing pair formation followed by plasmid transfer in the pairs. The parameter space allowing plasmid invasion in the one-compartment model is affected by plasmid costs and intrinsic conjugation rates of the transconjugant, but not by these characteristics of the donor. The parameter space allowing plasmid invasion in the two-compartment model is affected by attachment and detachment rates in the lumen and wall compartment, and by the bacterial density at the wall. The one- and two-compartment models predict the same parameter space for plasmid invasion if the conditions in both compartments are equal to the conditions in the one-compartment model. In contrast, the addition of the wall compartment widens the parameter space allowing invasion compared with the one-compartment model, if the density at the wall is higher than in the lumen, or if the attachment rate at the wall is high and the detachment rate at the wall is low. We also compared the pair-formation models with bulk-conjugation models that describe conjugation by instantaneous transfer of the plasmid at contact between cells, without explicitly describing pair formation. Our results show that pair-formation and bulk-conjugation models predict the same parameter space for plasmid invasion. From our simulations, we conclude that conditions at the gut wall should be taken into account to describe plasmid dynamics in the gut and that transconjugant characteristics rather than donor characteristics should be used to parameterize the models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse B Alderliesten
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Mark P Zwart
- Department of Microbial Ecology, The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - J Arjan G M de Visser
- Laboratory of Genetics, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Arjan Stegeman
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Egil A J Fischer
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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34
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Zhao G, Wu Y, Wang X, Chen M, Li L. The impact of pollutant as selection pressure on conjugative transfer of dioxin-catabolic plasmids harbored by Rhodococcus sp. strain p52. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:1470-1481. [PMID: 34355316 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15682-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Plasmid-mediated bioaugmentation has potential application in the cleanup of recalcitrant environmental pollutants. In this study, we examined the influence of various contaminants (in different categories or different amounts) as a selection pressure on the spread of catabolic plasmids within an activated sludge bacteria community bioaugmented with Rhodococcus sp. strain p52 harboring pDF01 and pDF02. The distinguishable genera of transconjugants were isolated under the stresses of phenanthrene, dibenzothiophene, and dibenzo-p-dioxin. The three contaminants exerted different degrees of influence on the activated sludge bacteria bearing the catabolic plasmids. The relatively high ratios of transconjugant-bearing catabolic plasmids were detected in the reactor fed with dibenzo-p-dioxin. As dibenzo-p-dioxin from 10 to 80 mg/L was fed into the reactors, the ratios of transconjugant-bearing catabolic plasmids increased. Additionally, levels of ROS and extracellular LDH of activated sludge bacteria in the contaminants-fed reactors increased, comparing with that in the control reactor, indicating that the contaminants exerted toxicity which promoted the cell membrane permeability of the activated sludge bacteria. Our study provides a characterization of the recalcitrant contaminants as a selection pressure that can modulate catabolic plasmid transfer during genetic bioaugmentation for the removal of contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Zhao
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 72 Binhai Road, Jimo, 266237, China
| | - Yanan Wu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 72 Binhai Road, Jimo, 266237, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 72 Binhai Road, Jimo, 266237, China
| | - Meng Chen
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 72 Binhai Road, Jimo, 266237, China
| | - Li Li
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 72 Binhai Road, Jimo, 266237, China.
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35
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Liu G, Thomsen LE, Olsen JE. Antimicrobial-induced horizontal transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes in bacteria: a mini-review. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 77:556-567. [PMID: 34894259 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkab450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among pathogenic bacteria constitute an accelerating crisis for public health. The selective pressures caused by increased use and misuse of antimicrobials in medicine and livestock production have accelerated the overall selection of resistant bacteria. In addition, horizontal gene transfer (HGT) plays an important role in the spread of resistance genes, for example mobilizing reservoirs of AMR from commensal bacteria into pathogenic ones. Antimicrobials, besides antibacterial function, also result in undesirable effects in the microbial populations, including the stimulation of HGT. The main aim of this narrative review was to present an overview of the current knowledge of the impact of antimicrobials on HGT in bacteria, including the effects of transformation, transduction and conjugation, as well as other less well-studied mechanisms of HGT. It is widely accepted that conjugation plays a major role in the spread of AMR in bacteria, and the focus of this review is therefore mainly on the evidence provided that antimicrobial treatment affects this process. Other mechanisms of HGT have so far been deemed less important in this respect; however, recent discoveries suggest their role may be larger than previously thought, and the review provides an update on the rather limited knowledge currently available regarding the impact of antimicrobial treatment on these processes as well. A conclusion from the review is that there is an urgent need to investigate the mechanisms of antimicrobial-induced HGT, since this will be critical for developing new strategies to combat the spread of AMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.,Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Line Elnif Thomsen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - John Elmerdahl Olsen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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36
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Brockhurst MA, Harrison E. Ecological and evolutionary solutions to the plasmid paradox. Trends Microbiol 2021; 30:534-543. [PMID: 34848115 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2021.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The 'plasmid paradox' arises because, although plasmids are common features of bacterial genomes, theoretically they should not exist: rates of conjugation were believed insufficient to allow plasmids to persist by infectious transmission, whereas the costs of plasmid maintenance meant that plasmids should be purged by negative selection regardless of whether they encoded beneficial accessory traits because these traits should eventually be captured by the chromosome, enabling the loss of the redundant plasmid. In the decade since the plasmid paradox was described, new data and theory show that a range of ecological and evolutionary mechanisms operate in bacterial populations and communities to explain the widespread distribution and stable maintenance of plasmids. We conclude, therefore, that multiple solutions to the plasmid paradox are now well understood. The current challenge for the field, however, is to better understand how these solutions operate in natural bacterial communities to explain and predict the distribution of plasmids and the dynamics of the horizontal gene transfer that they mediate in bacterial (pan)genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Brockhurst
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.
| | - Ellie Harrison
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
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37
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Duxbury SJN, Alderliesten JB, Zwart MP, Stegeman A, Fischer EAJ, de Visser JAGM. Chicken gut microbiome members limit the spread of an antimicrobial resistance plasmid in Escherichia coli. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20212027. [PMID: 34727719 PMCID: PMC8564601 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.2027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmid-mediated antimicrobial resistance is a major contributor to the spread of resistance genes within bacterial communities. Successful plasmid spread depends upon a balance between plasmid fitness effects on the host and rates of horizontal transmission. While these key parameters are readily quantified in vitro, the influence of interactions with other microbiome members is largely unknown. Here, we investigated the influence of three genera of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) derived from the chicken gastrointestinal microbiome on the spread of an epidemic narrow-range ESBL resistance plasmid, IncI1 carrying blaCTX-M-1, in mixed cultures of isogenic Escherichia coli strains. Secreted products of LAB decreased E. coli growth rates in a genus-specific manner but did not affect plasmid transfer rates. Importantly, we quantified plasmid transfer rates by controlling for density-dependent mating opportunities. Parametrization of a mathematical model with our in vitro estimates illustrated that small fitness costs of plasmid carriage may tip the balance towards plasmid loss under growth conditions in the gastrointestinal tract. This work shows that microbial interactions can influence plasmid success and provides an experimental-theoretical framework for further study of plasmid transfer in a microbiome context.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jesse B. Alderliesten
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mark P. Zwart
- Department of Microbial Ecology, The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Arjan Stegeman
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Egil A. J. Fischer
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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38
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Wongpayak P, Meesungnoen O, Saejang S, Subsoontorn P. A highly effective and self-transmissible CRISPR antimicrobial for elimination of target plasmids without antibiotic selection. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11996. [PMID: 34567840 PMCID: PMC8428258 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of CRISPR/Cas (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR associated protein) for sequence-specific elimination of bacteria or resistance genes is a powerful tool for combating antibiotic resistance. However, this approach requires efficient delivery of CRISPR/Cas DNA cassette(s) into the targeted bacterial population. Compared to phage transduction, plasmid conjugation can deliver DNA to a broader host range but often suffers from low delivery efficiency. Here, we developed multi-plasmid conjugation systems for efficient CRISPR/Cas delivery, target DNA elimination and plasmid replacement. The CRISPR/Cas system, delivered via a broad-host-range R1162 mobilizable plasmid, specifically eliminated the targeted plasmid in recipient cells. A self-transmissible RK2 helper plasmid facilitated the spread of mobilizable CRISPR/Cas. The replacement of the target plasmid with another plasmid from the same compatibility group helped speed up target plasmid elimination especially when the target plasmid was also mobilizable. Together, we showed that up to 100% of target plasmid from the entire recipient population could be replaced even at a low (1:180) donor-to-recipient ratio and in the absence of transconjugant selection. Such an ability to modify genetic content of microbiota efficiently in the absence of selection will be critical for future development of CRISPR antimicrobials as well as genetic tools for in situ microbiome engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panjaporn Wongpayak
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Muang Phitsanulok, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | | | - Somchai Saejang
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Muang Phitsanulok, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | - Pakpoom Subsoontorn
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Muang Phitsanulok, Phitsanulok, Thailand
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39
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Properties affecting transfer and expression of degradative plasmids for the purpose of bioremediation. Biodegradation 2021; 32:361-375. [PMID: 34046775 DOI: 10.1007/s10532-021-09950-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Plasmids, circular DNA that exist and replicate outside of the host chromosome, have been important in the spread of non-essential genes as well as the rapid evolution of prokaryotes. Recent advances in environmental engineering have aimed to utilize the mobility of plasmids carrying degradative genes to disseminate them into the environment for cost-effective and environmentally friendly remediation of harmful contaminants. Here, we review the knowledge surrounding plasmid transfer and the conditions needed for successful transfer and expression of degradative plasmids. Both abiotic and biotic factors have a great impact on the success of degradative plasmid transfer and expression of the degradative genes of interest. Properties such as ecological growth strategies of bacteria may also contribute to plasmid transfer and may be an important consideration for bioremediation applications. Finally, the methods for detection of conjugation events have greatly improved and the application of these tools can help improve our understanding of conjugation in complex communities. However, it remains clear that more methods for in situ detection of plasmid transfer are needed to help detangle the complexities of conjugation in natural environments to better promote a framework for precision bioremediation.
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40
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Nowak KP, Sobolewska-Ruta A, Jagiełło A, Bierczyńska-Krzysik A, Kierył P, Wawrzyniak P. Molecular and Functional Characterization of MobK Protein-A Novel-Type Relaxase Involved in Mobilization for Conjugational Transfer of Klebsiella pneumoniae Plasmid pIGRK. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5152. [PMID: 34068033 PMCID: PMC8152469 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Conjugation, besides transformation and transduction, is one of the main mechanisms of horizontal transmission of genetic information among bacteria. Conjugational transfer, due to its essential role in shaping bacterial genomes and spreading of antibiotics resistance genes, has been widely studied for more than 70 years. However, new and intriguing facts concerning the molecular basis of this process are still being revealed. Most recently, a novel family of conjugative relaxases (Mob proteins) was distinguished. The characteristic feature of these proteins is that they are not related to any of Mobs described so far. Instead of this, they share significant similarity to tyrosine recombinases. In this study MobK-a tyrosine recombinase-like Mob protein, encoded by pIGRK cryptic plasmid from the Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical strain, was characterized. This study revealed that MobK is a site-specific nuclease and its relaxase activity is dependent on both a conserved catalytic tyrosine residue (Y179) that is characteristic of tyrosine recombinases and the presence of Mg2+ divalent cations. The pIGRK minimal origin of transfer sequence (oriT) was also characterized. This is one of the first reports presenting tyrosine recombinase-like conjugative relaxase protein. It also demonstrates that MobK is a convenient model for studying this new protein family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Paulina Nowak
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5a, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland;
- Department of Biomedical Technology, Cosmetics Chemicals and Electrochemistry, Łukasiewicz Research Network—Industrial Chemistry Institute, Rydygiera 8, 01-793 Warsaw, Poland; (A.S.-R.); (A.J.); (A.B.-K.); (P.K.)
| | - Agnieszka Sobolewska-Ruta
- Department of Biomedical Technology, Cosmetics Chemicals and Electrochemistry, Łukasiewicz Research Network—Industrial Chemistry Institute, Rydygiera 8, 01-793 Warsaw, Poland; (A.S.-R.); (A.J.); (A.B.-K.); (P.K.)
| | - Agata Jagiełło
- Department of Biomedical Technology, Cosmetics Chemicals and Electrochemistry, Łukasiewicz Research Network—Industrial Chemistry Institute, Rydygiera 8, 01-793 Warsaw, Poland; (A.S.-R.); (A.J.); (A.B.-K.); (P.K.)
- Central Forensic Laboratory of the Police, Biology Department, Iwicka 14, 00-735 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Bierczyńska-Krzysik
- Department of Biomedical Technology, Cosmetics Chemicals and Electrochemistry, Łukasiewicz Research Network—Industrial Chemistry Institute, Rydygiera 8, 01-793 Warsaw, Poland; (A.S.-R.); (A.J.); (A.B.-K.); (P.K.)
- Curiosity Diagnostics Sp. z o.o., Duchnicka 3, Building 16, Entrance A, 01-796 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Kierył
- Department of Biomedical Technology, Cosmetics Chemicals and Electrochemistry, Łukasiewicz Research Network—Industrial Chemistry Institute, Rydygiera 8, 01-793 Warsaw, Poland; (A.S.-R.); (A.J.); (A.B.-K.); (P.K.)
| | - Paweł Wawrzyniak
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5a, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland;
- Department of Biomedical Technology, Cosmetics Chemicals and Electrochemistry, Łukasiewicz Research Network—Industrial Chemistry Institute, Rydygiera 8, 01-793 Warsaw, Poland; (A.S.-R.); (A.J.); (A.B.-K.); (P.K.)
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41
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Evangelista AG, Corrêa JAF, Pinto ACSM, Luciano FB. The impact of essential oils on antibiotic use in animal production regarding antimicrobial resistance - a review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2021; 62:5267-5283. [PMID: 33554635 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2021.1883548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Population growth directly affects the global food supply, demanding a higher production efficiency without farmland expansion - in view of limited land resources and biodiversity loss worldwide. In such scenario, intensive agriculture practices have been widely used. A commonly applied method to maximize yield in animal production is the use of subtherapeutic doses of antibiotics as growth promoters. Because of the strong antibiotic selection pressure generated, the intense use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) has been associated to the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Also, cross-resistance can occur, leading to the emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens and limiting treatment options in both human and animal health. Thereon, alternatives have been studied to replace AGP in animal production. Among such alternatives, essential oils and essential oil components (EOC) stand out positively from others due to, besides antimicrobial effectiveness, improving zootechnical indexes and modulating genes involved in resistance mechanisms. This review summarizes recent studies in essential oils and EOC for zoonotic bacteria control, providing detailed information about the molecular-level effects of their use in regard to AMR, and identifying important gaps to be filled within the animal production area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Gonçalves Evangelista
- Graduate Program in Animal Science, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Prado Velho - Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Jessica Audrey Feijó Corrêa
- Graduate Program in Animal Science, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Prado Velho - Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | - Fernando Bittencourt Luciano
- Graduate Program in Animal Science, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Prado Velho - Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
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