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Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
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Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes

Published on: March 3, 2023

Arsenite-induced multiple antibiotic resistance phenotype in environmental isolates of Yersinia enterocolitica

J S Virdi1, I Sinha, P Rajendran

  • 1Microbial Pathogenicity Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi-110021, India. micro@dusc.ernet.in

Current Microbiology
|June 8, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Arsenite exposure increased antibiotic resistance in pork Yersinia enterocolitica. Wastewater isolates showed resistance to amikacin and gentamicin, with no changes in outer-membrane proteins observed.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Environmental Science
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Yersinia enterocolitica is a foodborne pathogen.
  • Antibiotic resistance is a growing public health concern.
  • Environmental contaminants can influence bacterial resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of arsenite exposure on antibiotic resistance in Yersinia enterocolitica.
  • To compare resistance patterns in isolates from different sources (pork and wastewater).

Main Methods:

  • Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined for Yersinia enterocolitica isolates.
  • Bacteria were cultured with and without 5 mM arsenite.
  • Outer-membrane proteins were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Arsenite exposure led to a two- to eightfold increase in MICs for amikacin, gentamicin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and nitrofurantoin in pork Yersinia enterocolitica.
  • Wastewater Yersinia enterocolitica isolates showed increased MICs for amikacin and gentamicin.
  • No discernible changes in outer-membrane proteins were observed after arsenite exposure.

Conclusions:

  • Arsenite exposure can induce or enhance antibiotic resistance in Yersinia enterocolitica.
  • Environmental factors like arsenite may contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance.
  • Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind arsenite-induced resistance.

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