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The susceptibility of conjugative resistance transfer in gram-negative bacteria to physicochemical and biochemical
1Miyazaki University, Faculty of Agriculture, Japan.
Abstract:
Over thirty years of studies have established that conjugative transfer of plasmid-encoded resistance to drugs and heavy metals can take place at high frequency between various organisms under laboratory conditions. The detected transfer frequencies in soil, in aquatic environments, and in the urogenital and respiratory tracts of healthy animals and man have generally been low. However, the conversion of bacteria from susceptible to resistant to antibiotics has been observed often during antimicrobial therapy. This has formed a challenge for the antibacterial treatment of pathogenic bacteria and called for the evaluation of the extent of conjugative transfer in various environments. Several biochemical and physicochemical factors inhibit conjugation, show preferential toxicity against plasmid-bearing cells, or stimulate plasmid curing. These factors include various agents such as detergents, anesthetics, mutagens and antibiotics which affect membrane potential, membrane permeability, protein synthesis and the processing of DNA. The application of the data on these agents, summarized in this review, might be helpful in preventing drug multi-resistance from spreading. Also these data might be valuable in studies which use conjugation as a tool or which treat the molecular mechanisms involved in conjugation.
Insights
Conjugative transfer of drug resistance genes occurs frequently in labs but rarely in natural settings. Understanding factors inhibiting this spread is key to combating antimicrobial resistance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Conjugative transfer of plasmid-encoded resistance to drugs and heavy metals is well-established in laboratory settings.
- Observed transfer frequencies in natural environments (soil, aquatic, animal tracts) are generally low.
- Antibiotic resistance in bacteria during therapy poses a significant challenge to treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the extent of conjugative transfer in various environments.
- To identify factors that inhibit conjugation and plasmid spread.
- To provide insights for preventing the spread of multidrug resistance.
Main Methods:
- Review of biochemical and physicochemical factors affecting conjugation.
- Analysis of agents influencing membrane potential, permeability, protein synthesis, and DNA processing.
- Examination of factors causing preferential toxicity against plasmid-bearing cells or stimulating plasmid curing.
Main Results:
- Various agents like detergents, anesthetics, mutagens, and antibiotics can inhibit conjugation.
- These agents impact key cellular processes including membrane function and DNA metabolism.
- Data suggests these factors can be leveraged to control resistance gene spread.
Conclusions:
- Understanding factors that inhibit conjugative transfer is crucial for controlling the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
- This knowledge can aid in developing strategies to combat multidrug-resistant pathogens.
- The data is valuable for research utilizing conjugation as a tool or studying its molecular mechanisms.