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Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance
09:00

Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance

Published on: May 2, 2018

Multidrug resistance-encoding plasmid from Aeromonas sp. strain P2G1

E Marti1, J L Balcázar

  • 1Catalan Institute for Water Research, ICRA, Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, Girona, Spain.

Clinical Microbiology and Infection : the Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
|June 26, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Environmental Aeromonas bacteria carry a multidrug-resistant plasmid, pP2G1, containing genes for resistance to multiple antibiotic classes. This highlights Aeromonas species as potential reservoirs for spreading antibiotic resistance genes.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental microbiology
  • Molecular biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health concern.
  • Environmental bacteria can harbor and disseminate resistance genes.
  • Plasmids are key mobile genetic elements mediating antibiotic resistance spread.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To fully sequence and characterize the multidrug resistance plasmid pP2G1 from an environmental Aeromonas species.
  • To identify the specific antibiotic resistance genes encoded by pP2G1.
  • To assess the potential role of Aeromonas in the environmental dissemination of antibiotic resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Whole-genome sequencing using a shotgun approach.
  • Bioinformatic analysis to identify genes and resistance mechanisms.
  • Plasmid DNA extraction and sequencing.

Main Results:

  • Complete sequencing of plasmid pP2G1 was achieved.
  • pP2G1 confers resistance to aminoglycosides and quinolones [aac(6')-Ib-cr].
  • Resistance genes identified include bla(OXA-1) (β-lactams), catB3 (chloramphenicol), mphA-mrx-mphR (macrolides), qacEΔ1 (quaternary ammonium compounds), qnrS2 (quinolones), arr-3 (rifampicin), and sul1 (sulphonamides).

Conclusions:

  • The sequenced plasmid pP2G1 harbors a comprehensive array of antibiotic resistance genes.
  • Environmental Aeromonas species possess plasmids that contribute to multidrug resistance.
  • Aeromonas species may serve as important reservoirs for antibiotic resistance genes in the environment, facilitating their spread.

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