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Strain-level characterization of broad host range mobile genetic elements transferring antibiotic resistance from the

Samuel C Forster1,2,3, Junyan Liu4, Nitin Kumar4

  • 1Host-Microbiota Interactions Laboratory, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK. sam.forster@hudson.org.au.

Nature Communications
|March 18, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) carrying antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) spread resistance between gut bacteria. Researchers identified a network of MGE-mediated ARG transfer, highlighting broad host range elements for future management.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) are key drivers of antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) dissemination.
  • Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) between human gut commensals and pathogens is not well understood.
  • Understanding these transfer events is crucial for combating antibiotic resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize MGE-mediated ARG transfer events between human gut commensals and pathogens.
  • To identify broad host range MGEs involved in ARG dissemination.
  • To establish the network of ARG dissemination in the human gut microbiome.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of 1354 commensal and 45,403 pathogen strains.
  • Identification of MGEs and ARGs using established bioinformatics methods.
  • Experimental validation of MGE mobilization between specific commensal and pathogen species.

Main Results:

  • Identified 64,188 MGE-mediated ARG transfer events between commensals and pathogens.
  • Discovered 15 broad host range MGEs capable of crossing bacterial phyla.
  • Demonstrated experimental mobilization of MGEs from Dorea longicatena and Hungatella hathewayi to Klebsiella oxytoca.

Conclusions:

  • Established the MGE-mediated ARG dissemination network within the human gut.
  • Broad host range MGEs are significant contributors to ARG spread across bacterial phyla.
  • Targeting these MGEs could be a strategy for managing antibiotic resistance.

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