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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

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Molecular characteristics and comparative genomics analysis of a clinical Enterococcus casseliflavus with a

Min Yin1, Yi Jiang1, Changrui Qian1

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences/Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China, baoqy@genomics.cn.

Infection and Drug Resistance
|November 23, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study details a multidrug-resistant Enterococcus casseliflavus strain, identifying novel resistance genes on a plasmid and chromosome. Findings reveal potential horizontal gene transfer mechanisms contributing to antibiotic resistance spread.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Enterococcus casseliflavus is an opportunistic pathogen.
  • The emergence of antibiotic resistance in Enterococcus species poses a significant public health threat.
  • Understanding the genetic basis of resistance in clinical isolates is crucial for effective treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To perform molecular characterization of a clinical Enterococcus casseliflavus strain.
  • To investigate the presence and genetic elements of a resistance plasmid in Enterococcus casseliflavus.
  • To analyze the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and horizontal gene transfer.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (agar dilution method) of Enterococcus casseliflavus EC369.
  • Whole-genome sequencing and comparative genomics analysis.
  • Identification and characterization of resistance genes and mobile genetic elements.

Main Results:

  • Enterococcus casseliflavus EC369 exhibited resistance to erythromycin, kanamycin, and streptomycin.
  • A plasmid (pEC369) harbored six resistance genes (aph3', ant6, bla, sat4, 2x ermB) on a transposon.
  • A vancomycin resistance gene cluster and a tet(M) gene were found on the chromosome; pEC369 is the first reported plasmid sequence from a clinical Enterococcus casseliflavus isolate.

Conclusions:

  • The plasmid pEC369 likely contributes to the observed multidrug resistance profile of Enterococcus casseliflavus EC369.
  • The high sequence identity of the transposon to a Staphylococcus aureus chromosomal sequence suggests inter-species horizontal gene transfer.
  • This study provides insights into the dissemination of multidrug resistance among different bacterial species/genera.
Keywords:
Enterococcus casseliflavusantimicrobial resistancecomparative genomics analysismolecular characteristicstransposon

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