Relationship between plasmid occurrence and antibiotic resistance in Myroides odoratimimus SKS05-GRD isolated from...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Food Safety
• Genetics

Background:

• Flavobacterium species are found in various environments, including food products.
• Antibiotic resistance in bacteria is a growing public health concern.
• Understanding the genetic basis of antibiotic resistance is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and characterize flavobacterium strains from raw meat and soil samples.
• To identify the species of an antibiotic-resistant flavobacterium strain.
• To investigate the role of plasmids in the antibiotic resistance of Myroides odoratimimus.

Main Methods:

• Bacterial isolation and culturing on selective media.
• Biochemical tests and Gram staining for characterization.
• Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
• Antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the disc diffusion method.
• Plasmid isolation and curing experiments.

Main Results:

• Fifteen flavobacterium strains were isolated, with most exhibiting yellow pigmentation and mucoid-spreading edges.
• Phylogenetic analysis identified one strain as Myroides odoratimimus (accession number JQ178355).
• Myroides odoratimimus SKS05-GRD displayed resistance to multiple antibiotics, including amikacin, ampicillin, and gentamicin.
• Plasmid curing experiments indicated that resistance to amikacin, gentamicin, and kanamycin is plasmid-mediated, while other resistances are chromosomal.

Conclusions:

• Flavobacterium species, including Myroides odoratimimus, can be found in raw meat and soil environments.
• Myroides odoratimimus possesses a combination of plasmid-mediated and chromosomal antibiotic resistance mechanisms.
• The findings highlight the potential for antibiotic-resistant bacteria in food sources and the importance of understanding plasmid-mediated resistance.