In vitro antibiotic susceptibilities of Yersinia pestis determined by broth microdilution following CLSI methods

Henry S Heine1, Jeremy Hershfield2, Charles Marchand2

  • 1Bacteriology Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA henry.heine@medicine.ufl.edu.

Insights

This study evaluated antibiotic susceptibility in diverse Yersinia pestis strains using standardized methods. Y. pestis showed broad susceptibility, with minimal changes in antibiotic effectiveness between 28°C and 35°C.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Yersinia pestis is the causative agent of plague, a re-emerging infectious disease.
  • Understanding antibiotic susceptibility is crucial for effective plague treatment and control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine in vitro antibiotic susceptibilities for diverse Yersinia pestis strains.
  • To establish baseline susceptibility data and population ranges for Y. pestis antibiotics.
  • To assess the impact of temperature on Y. pestis antibiotic susceptibility.

Main Methods:

  • Broth microdilution method used for 45 antibiotics against 30 Y. pestis strains.
  • Testing conducted at two temperatures: 28°C and 35°C.
  • Methods followed Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines.

Main Results:

  • Y. pestis strains were susceptible to aminoglycosides, quinolones, tetracyclines, β-lactams, cephalosporins, and carbapenems.
  • A minimal (1-well) shift in susceptibility was observed between 28°C and 35°C for most antibiotics.
  • Established MIC50 and MIC90 values for reference.

Conclusions:

  • Yersinia pestis maintains broad in vitro antibiotic susceptibility across common drug classes.
  • Temperature variations within a relevant range do not significantly alter Y. pestis antibiotic susceptibility.
  • The generated data provide a vital reference for new antibiotic evaluation and monitoring future resistance emergence.