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[Antibiotic resistance study of clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa]
Abstract:
The study of 40 clinical strains of Ps. aeruginosa isolated from the wound surfaces of the patients showed that all the isolates were resistant to one or several antibiotics. The number of the strains resistant to 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 drug was 5, 22.5, 25. 30 or 17.5 per cent respectively. Fifteen strains carried resistance plasmids capable of conjugative transfer. Eleven out of 21 plasmids controlled resistance to chloramphenicol, 7 plasmids controlled resistance to streptomycin and sulfanylamides, 1 plasmid controlled resistance to streptomycin and chloramphenicol. The presence of two types of the plasmids controlling resistance to chloramphenicol and streptomycin + sulfanylamides respectively was found. All the plasmids proved to be capable of conjugative transfer between the strains of Ps. aeruginosa ML (PAO). The frequency of the plasmid conjugative transfer in such crosses ranged from 10(-6) to 10(-3). Most of the plasmids belonged to the incompatibility groups P-2 and P-7. One plasmid belonged to the incompatibility group P-5. It should be noted that about a half of the plasmids (11 out of 21) belonged to the incompatibility group P-7 which up to the present time was conditional, since was represented by a single plasmid Rms 148.
Insights
All 40 clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Ps. aeruginosa) from wound infections showed antibiotic resistance. Many strains carried transferable resistance plasmids, highlighting a significant challenge in treating Ps. aeruginosa infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Ps. aeruginosa) is an opportunistic pathogen frequently isolated from wound infections.
- Antibiotic resistance in clinical bacterial isolates is a growing global health concern.
- Plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA elements that can confer antibiotic resistance and spread through horizontal gene transfer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antibiotic resistance patterns of Ps. aeruginosa strains isolated from wound infections.
- To identify and characterize antibiotic resistance plasmids in these strains.
- To assess the conjugative transferability and incompatibility groups of the identified plasmids.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and antibiotic susceptibility testing of 40 clinical Ps. aeruginosa strains from wound samples.
- Plasmid DNA extraction and characterization.
- Conjugative transfer experiments to assess plasmid mobility between Ps. aeruginosa strains.
- Determination of plasmid incompatibility groups.
Main Results:
- All 40 clinical Ps. aeruginosa isolates exhibited resistance to one or more antibiotics.
- Antibiotic resistance patterns varied, with strains resistant to 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 drug observed at 5%, 22.5%, 25%, 30%, and 17.5% respectively.
- Fifteen strains harbored plasmids capable of conjugative transfer, conferring resistance to chloramphenicol, streptomycin, and/or sulfanilamides.
- Plasmids belonged to incompatibility groups P-2, P-7 (predominant), and P-5, with transfer frequencies ranging from 10(-6) to 10(-3).
Conclusions:
- Clinical isolates of Ps. aeruginosa from wound infections demonstrate high levels of antibiotic resistance.
- Conjugative antibiotic resistance plasmids are prevalent in these isolates and can be efficiently transferred.
- The characterization of these plasmids, particularly those belonging to the P-7 incompatibility group, provides crucial insights into the epidemiology and spread of antibiotic resistance in Ps. aeruginosa.