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Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance
Published on: May 2, 2018
Plasmid-mediated multiple antibiotic resistance in Proteus mirabilis isolated from patients with urinary tract
1Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India.
Background:
Worldwide surveillance of antimicrobial resistance among urinary tract pathogens is useful to determine important trends and geographical variation for common Gram negative and positive species. We initiated this study to learn the drug resistance pattern and its location (genomic or plasmid-borne) among the strains of Proteus mirabilis, one of the most common causative agents of urinary tract infection (UTI).
Material/Methods:
A total of 200 urine samples were collected from UTI patients, followed by isolation and identification of Proteus milabilis strains. Antibiotic sensitivity and resistance analysis was performed by the disc diffusion method, employing multiple antibiotic discs. The sensitivity was monitored by visualizing the zone of inhibition around the disc. Plasmid isolation was performed by the method of Kado and Liu. Transfer of the R-Plasmid to recipient E.coli C600 cells was achieved using the method of Lederberg and Cohen.
Results:
Clinical study revealed that this infection is more common in young pregnant women. Various strains of Proteus mirabilis isolated during the course of the study were found to show multiple antibiotic resistance, which was further characterized as plasmid-borne drug resistance.
Conclusions:
Proteus mirabilis is one of the important causative agents of urinary tract infection in young women especially during the state of pregnancy. Multiple antibiotic resistance markers of Proteus strains were identified as plasmid mediated.
Insights
Antimicrobial resistance in Proteus mirabilis, a common cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs), is primarily plasmid-borne. This resistance is particularly prevalent in young pregnant women, highlighting a critical public health concern.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Genetics
Background:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are frequently caused by Gram-negative bacteria like Proteus mirabilis.
- Monitoring antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns in UTI pathogens is crucial for effective treatment strategies.
- Understanding the genetic basis of AMR, whether chromosomal or plasmid-mediated, is essential for public health surveillance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antibiotic resistance patterns of Proteus mirabilis strains isolated from UTI patients.
- To determine the location (genomic or plasmid-borne) of drug resistance markers in these strains.
- To identify demographic trends associated with Proteus mirabilis UTIs.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and identification of Proteus mirabilis from 200 urine samples.
- Antibiotic susceptibility testing using the disc diffusion method.
- Plasmid isolation and characterization, including R-plasmid transfer experiments.
Main Results:
- Proteus mirabilis strains exhibited multiple drug resistance.
- The observed antibiotic resistance was confirmed to be plasmid-mediated.
- UTIs caused by Proteus mirabilis were found to be more common in young pregnant women.
Conclusions:
- Proteus mirabilis is a significant pathogen in UTIs, especially among young pregnant women.
- Plasmid-mediated resistance is a key mechanism driving multidrug resistance in Proteus mirabilis.
- These findings underscore the importance of surveillance for plasmid-borne resistance in UTI pathogens.
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