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Alves GDSO, Canellas ALB, Gallo MN, Vinzon SB, Laport MS. In treacherous waters: detection of colistin-resistant bacteria in water and plastic litter from a recreational estuary. Lett Appl Microbiol 2024; 77:ovae082. [PMID: 39227173 DOI: 10.1093/lambio/ovae082] [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: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
Colistin resistance poses a major therapeutic challenge and resistant strains have now been reported worldwide. However, the occurrence of such bacteria in aquatic environments is considerably less understood. This study aimed to isolate and characterize colistin-resistant strains from water and plastic litter collected in an urban recreational estuary. Altogether, 64 strains with acquired colistin resistance were identified, mainly Acinetobacter spp. and Enterobacter spp. From these, 40.6% were positive for at least one mcr variant (1-9), 26.5% harbored, extended-spectrum beta-lactamases, 23.4% harbored, sulfonamide resistance genes, and 9.3% harbored, quinolone resistance genes. merA, encoding mercury resistance, was detected in 10.5% of these strains, most of which were also strong biofilm producers. The minimum inhibitory concentration toward colistin was determined for the mcr-positive strains and ranged from 2 to ≥512 µg ml-1. Our findings suggest that Gram-negative bacteria highly resistant to a last-resort antimicrobial can be found in recreational waters and plastic litter, thereby evidencing the urgency of the One Health approach to mitigate the antimicrobial resistance crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Luiza Bauer Canellas
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Marcos N Gallo
- Área de Engenharia Costeira e Oceanográfica, COPPE, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-598, Brazil
| | - Susana Beatriz Vinzon
- Área de Engenharia Costeira e Oceanográfica, COPPE, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-598, Brazil
| | - Marinella Silva Laport
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
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Tekedar HC, Patel F, Blom J, Griffin MJ, Waldbieser GC, Kumru S, Abdelhamed H, Dharan V, Hanson LA, Lawrence ML. Tad pili contribute to the virulence and biofilm formation of virulent Aeromonas hydrophila. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1425624. [PMID: 39145307 PMCID: PMC11322086 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1425624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Type IV pili (T4P) are versatile proteinaceous protrusions that mediate diverse bacterial processes, including adhesion, motility, and biofilm formation. Aeromonas hydrophila, a Gram-negative facultative anaerobe, causes disease in a wide range of hosts. Previously, we reported the presence of a unique Type IV class C pilus, known as tight adherence (Tad), in virulent Aeromonas hydrophila (vAh). In the present study, we sought to functionalize the role of Tad pili in the pathogenicity of A. hydrophila ML09-119. Through a comprehensive comparative genomics analysis of 170 A. hydrophila genomes, the conserved presence of the Tad operon in vAh isolates was confirmed, suggesting its potential contribution to pathogenicity. Herein, the entire Tad operon was knocked out from A. hydrophila ML09-119 to elucidate its specific role in A. hydrophila virulence. The absence of the Tad operon did not affect growth kinetics but significantly reduced virulence in catfish fingerlings, highlighting the essential role of the Tad operon during infection. Biofilm formation of A. hydrophila ML09-119 was significantly decreased in the Tad operon deletant. Absence of the Tad operon had no effect on sensitivity to other environmental stressors, including hydrogen peroxide, osmolarity, alkalinity, and temperature; however, it was more sensitive to low pH conditions. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the Tad mutant had a rougher surface structure during log phase growth than the wildtype strain, indicating the absence of Tad impacts the outer surface of vAh during cell division, of which the biological consequences are unknown. These findings highlight the role of Tad in vAh pathogenesis and biofilm formation, signifying the importance of T4P in bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan C. Tekedar
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, United States
| | - Fenny Patel
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, United States
| | - Jochen Blom
- Bioinformatics & Systems Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Matt J. Griffin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, United States
- Thad Cochran National Warmwater Aquaculture Center, Stoneville, MS, United States
| | | | - Salih Kumru
- Faculty of Fisheries, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Rize, Türkiye
| | - Hossam Abdelhamed
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, United States
| | - Vandana Dharan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, United States
| | - Larry A. Hanson
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, United States
| | - Mark L. Lawrence
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, United States
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Neil B, Cheney GL, Rosenzweig JA, Sha J, Chopra AK. Antimicrobial resistance in aeromonads and new therapies targeting quorum sensing. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:205. [PMID: 38349402 PMCID: PMC10864486 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13055-z] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Aeromonas species (spp.) are well-known fish pathogens, several of which have been recognized as emerging human pathogens. The organism is capable of causing a wide spectrum of diseases in humans, ranging from gastroenteritis, wound infections, and septicemia to devastating necrotizing fasciitis. The systemic form of infection is often fatal, particularly in patients with underlying chronic diseases. Indeed, recent trends demonstrate rising numbers of hospital-acquired Aeromonas infections, especially in immuno-compromised individuals. Additionally, Aeromonas-associated antibiotic resistance is an increasing challenge in combating both fish and human infections. The acquisition of antibiotic resistance is related to Aeromonas' innate transformative properties including its ability to share plasmids and integron-related gene cassettes between species and with the environment. As a result, alternatives to antibiotic treatments are desperately needed. In that vein, many treatments have been proposed and studied extensively in the fish-farming industry, including treatments that target Aeromonas quorum sensing. In this review, we discuss current strategies targeting quorum sensing inhibition and propose that such studies empower the development of novel chemotherapeutic approaches to combat drug-resistant Aeromonas spp. infections in humans. KEY POINTS: • Aeromonas notoriously acquires and maintains antimicrobial resistance, making treatment options limited. • Quorum sensing is an essential virulence mechanism in Aeromonas infections. • Inhibiting quorum sensing can be an effective strategy in combating Aeromonas infections in animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake Neil
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical Branch, University of Texas, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Gabrielle L Cheney
- John Sealy School of Medicine, Medical Branch, University of Texas, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Jason A Rosenzweig
- Department of Biology, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX, 77004, USA
| | - Jian Sha
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical Branch, University of Texas, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Ashok K Chopra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical Branch, University of Texas, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
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Canellas ALB, Abdon BB, Diniz MN, da Silva Oliveira Alves G, de Paula Lourenço MF, Machado WTV, Giambiagi-deMarval M, de Oliveira BFR, Laport MS. Antimicrobial resistance and biotechnological potential of plastic-associated bacteria isolated from an urban estuary. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:2851-2863. [PMID: 37950375 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16540] [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: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Plastics have quickly become one of the major pollutants in aquatic environments worldwide and solving the plastic pollution crisis is considered a central goal of modern society. In this study, 10 different plastic samples, including high- and low-density polyethylene and polypropylene, were collected from a deeply polluted urban estuary in Brazil. By employing different isolation and analysis approaches to investigate plastic-associated bacteria, a predominance of potentially pathogenic bacteria such as Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, and Vibrio was observed throughout all plastic samples. Bacteria typically found in the aquatic environment harboured clinically relevant genes encoding resistance to carbapenems (blaKPC ) and colistin (such as mcr-3 and mcr-4), along with genetic determinants associated with potentially active gene mobilization. Whole genome sequencing and annotation of three plastic-associated Vibrio strains further demonstrated the carriage of mobile genetic elements and antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes. On the other hand, bacteria isolated from the same samples were also able to produce esterases, lipases, and bioemulsifiers, thus highlighting that the plastisphere could also be of special interest from a biotechnological perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Luiza Bauer Canellas
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Balthazar Abdon
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Matheus Nunes Diniz
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Wilson Thadeu Valle Machado
- Departamento de Geoquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcia Giambiagi-deMarval
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Marinella Silva Laport
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Ota Y, Prah I, Mahazu S, Gu Y, Nukui Y, Koike R, Saito R. Novel insights into genetic characteristics of blaGES-encoding plasmids from hospital sewage. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1209195. [PMID: 37664110 PMCID: PMC10469963 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1209195] [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: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The prevalence of Guiana extended-spectrum (GES)-type carbapenemase producers is increasing worldwide, and hospital water environments are considered as potential reservoirs. However, the genetic features underlying this resistance are not yet fully understood. This study aimed to characterize blaGES-encoding plasmids from a single-hospital sewage sample in Japan. Methods Carbapenemase producers were screened using carbapenemase-selective agar and polymerase chain reaction. Whole-genome sequencing analyzes were performed on the carbapenemase-producing isolates. Results Eleven gram-negative bacteria (four Enterobacter spp., three Klebsiella spp., three Aeromonas spp., and one Serratia spp.) with blaGES-24 (n = 6), blaGES-6 (n = 4), and blaGES-5 (n = 1) were isolated from the sewage sample. Five blaGES-24 and a blaGES-5 were localized in IncP-6 plasmids, whereas three blaGES-6 plasmids were localized in IncC plasmids with IncF-like regions. The remaining blaGES-6 and blaGES-24 were, respectively, localized on IncFIB-containing plasmids with IncF-like regions and a plasmid with an IncW-like replication protein. The IncP-6 and IncW-like plasmids had a close genetic relationship with plasmids from Japan, whereas the IncC/IncF-like and IncFIB/IncF-like plasmids were closely related to those from the United States and Europe. All blaGES genes were located on the class 1 integron cassette of the Tn3 transposon-related region, and the IncC/IncF-like plasmid carried two copies of the integron cassette. Eight of the eleven blaGES-encoding plasmids contained toxin-antitoxin system genes. Discussion The findings on the plasmids and the novel genetic content from a single wastewater sample extend our understanding regarding the diversity of resistance and the associated spread of blaGES, suggesting their high adaptability to hospital effluents. These findings highlight the need for the continuous monitoring of environmental GES-type carbapenemase producers to control their dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Ota
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Isaac Prah
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Samiratu Mahazu
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Gu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoko Nukui
- Department of Infection Control and Laboratory Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ryuji Koike
- Clinical Research Center, Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryoichi Saito
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
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