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Updated: May 21, 2026

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