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Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus
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Novel ABC transporter gene, vga(C), located on a multiresistance plasmid from a porcine methicillin-resistant

Kristina Kadlec1, Stefan Schwarz

  • 1Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI), Höltystr. 10, 31535 Neustadt-Mariensee, Germany.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
|May 28, 2009
PubMed

Insights

A novel ABC transporter gene, vga(C), was found in a pig-origin Staphylococcus aureus strain. This gene confers resistance to multiple antibiotics, including streptogramin A, lincosamides, and pleuromutilins.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant threat in both healthcare and agricultural settings.
  • The emergence of antibiotic resistance in MRSA, particularly in livestock like pigs, is a growing concern.
  • Understanding the genetic basis of this resistance is crucial for developing effective treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize novel antibiotic resistance genes in porcine MRSA isolates.
  • To investigate the genetic context and mobile genetic elements associated with these resistance genes.
  • To determine the spectrum of antibiotic resistance conferred by the identified genes.

Main Methods:

  • Whole-genome sequencing of a porcine MRSA isolate (ST398).
  • Plasmid DNA extraction and characterization.
  • Identification and annotation of resistance genes using bioinformatics tools.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing to determine resistance profiles.

Main Results:

  • A novel ABC transporter gene, vga(C), was identified on a multiresistance plasmid (pKKS825) in a porcine MRSA ST398 isolate.
  • The vga(C) gene encodes a protein conferring resistance to streptogramin A, lincosamides, and pleuromutilins.
  • The plasmid also harbors other resistance genes (aadD, tet(L), dfrK), suggesting potential coselection under various antibiotic pressures.

Conclusions:

  • The discovery of vga(C) highlights the complex mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in porcine MRSA.
  • The presence of multiple resistance genes on a single plasmid facilitates the spread of multidrug resistance.
  • This finding has implications for antibiotic stewardship in animal agriculture and public health surveillance.

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