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Common antibiotic resistance plasmids in Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis from human and canine
S Schwarz1, M Cardoso, S Grölz-Krug
1Institut für Bakteriologie und Immunologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen.
Abstract:
The plasmids of a multiresistant "canine" Staphylococcus epidermidis-culture were investigated. Two small plasmids, the 4.55 kB chloramphenicol resistance (CmR-) plasmid pSC4 and the 4.45 kB tetracycline resistance (TetR-) plasmid pST 3 could be isolated. Detailed restriction maps of pSC 4 and pST 3 were constructed by double restriction endonuclease digests. The restriction maps revealed extensive structural homologies between pSC 4 from "canine" S. epidermidis and the CmR-plasmid pC 221 from "human" S. aureus as well as between pST 3 from "canine" S. epidermidis and the TetR-plasmid pT 181 from "human" S. aureus. These data suggested that an exchange of small plasmids between S. epidermidis and S. aureus might be possible.
Insights
Researchers investigated antibiotic resistance plasmids in canine Staphylococcus epidermidis. They found structural similarities between canine plasmids and human Staphylococcus aureus plasmids, suggesting potential plasmid exchange.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Multiresistant bacteria pose a significant threat to public health.
- Plasmids are key vectors for antibiotic resistance gene dissemination.
- Understanding plasmid diversity and transfer mechanisms is crucial for combating antimicrobial resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize antibiotic resistance plasmids in a multiresistant canine Staphylococcus epidermidis isolate.
- To compare the genetic structures of these plasmids with known plasmids from human pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and purification of plasmids from Staphylococcus epidermidis.
- Construction of detailed restriction maps using double endonuclease digests.
- Comparative analysis of restriction maps to identify structural homologies.
Main Results:
- Two small plasmids were isolated: a 4.55 kb chloramphenicol resistance (CmR) plasmid (pSC4) and a 4.45 kb tetracycline resistance (TetR) plasmid (pST3).
- Extensive structural homologies were observed between pSC4 and the human S. aureus CmR plasmid pC221.
- Significant structural similarities were also found between pST3 and the human S. aureus TetR plasmid pT181.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that plasmids pSC4 and pST3 are evolutionarily related to plasmids found in human Staphylococcus aureus strains.
- The structural homologies indicate a potential for horizontal plasmid exchange between canine and human Staphylococcus species.
- This potential exchange mechanism could contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance.