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Horizontal Transfer of Different erm(B)-Carrying Mobile Elements Among Streptococcus suis Strains With Different

Li Chen1, Jinhu Huang1, Xinxin Huang2

  • 1Ministry of Education (MOE) Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|April 12, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Mobile genetic elements, including integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) and genomic islands (GIs), carrying the erm(B) gene facilitate macrolide resistance spread in Streptococcus suis. These elements transfer between strains without apparent fitness costs, highlighting their role in antimicrobial resistance dissemination.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Macrolide resistance in *Streptococcus suis* is a significant global health concern.
  • Mobile genetic elements (MGEs), particularly integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs), are primary drivers of *erm*(B) gene dissemination, leading to widespread macrolide resistance in *S. suis*.
  • Understanding the diversity and transferability of *erm*(B)-carrying elements in *S. suis* is crucial for controlling resistance spread.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize novel *erm*(B)-carrying mobile genetic elements in *Streptococcus suis*.
  • To investigate the transferability and genomic integration sites of these elements within *S. suis* populations.
  • To assess the fitness impact of these elements on host bacteria.

Main Methods:

  • Genomic analysis to identify putative ICEs and GIs harboring resistance genes.
  • Bacterial conjugation assays to evaluate the transferability of identified elements between *S. suis* strains.
  • Growth curve and competition assays to determine the fitness cost associated with element carriage.

Main Results:

  • Two novel *erm*(B)- and *tet*(O)-harboring ICEs (ICE*Ssu*YSB17_*rplL* and ICE*Ssu*YSJ15_*rplL*) were identified, integrating downstream the *rplL* gene.
  • A new *erm*(B)- and *aadE-spw*-like-carrying GI (GI*Ssu*JHJ17_*rpsI*) was discovered, integrating at the *rpsI* locus.
  • Transconjugants showed no significant fitness cost, indicating efficient dissemination potential.

Conclusions:

  • Diverse *erm*(B)-carrying elements, including ICEs and GIs, are present in *Streptococcus suis*.
  • These mobile genetic elements are transferable among *S. suis* strains, contributing to the dissemination of macrolide resistance.
  • The lack of fitness cost associated with these elements facilitates their spread within bacterial populations.
Keywords:
GIsICEsS. suiserm(B)horizontal transfer

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