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Multidrug Resistance Plasmid pTZC1 Could Be Pooled among Cutibacterium Strains on the Skin Surface

Juri Koizumi1, Keisuke Nakase1, Nobukazu Hayashi2

  • 1Department of Clinical Microbiology, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan.

Microbiology Spectrum
|February 27, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Antimicrobial resistance in acne is rising due to gene transfer. A multidrug resistance plasmid, pTZC1, was found to transfer between Cutibacterium acnes and Cutibacterium granulosum, increasing resistance on the skin.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition exacerbated by Cutibacterium acnes.
  • Antimicrobial resistance in C. acnes strains is a growing global health concern.
  • Existing treatments for acne rely on antimicrobials like macrolides, clindamycin, and tetracyclines.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanism of interspecies gene transfer contributing to antimicrobial resistance.
  • To examine the transfer of the multidrug resistance plasmid pTZC1 between C. acnes and C. granulosum.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and identification of C. acnes and C. granulosum from acne patients.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing for macrolides, clindamycin, and tetracyclines.
  • Identification of the pTZC1 plasmid carrying erm(50) and tet(W) genes.
  • Whole-genome sequencing for comparative analysis of pTZC1.
  • Plasmid transfer assays (conjugation) to demonstrate interspecies transfer.

Main Results:

  • High prevalence of macrolide (60.0%) and clindamycin (70.0%) resistance in isolated C. acnes and C. granulosum.
  • The multidrug resistance plasmid pTZC1 was identified in both species from the same patient.
  • pTZC1 sequences showed 100% identity between C. acnes and C. granulosum.
  • Bidirectional transfer of pTZC1 between C. acnes and C. granulosum was confirmed.
  • Transconjugants acquired pTZC1 and exhibited multidrug resistance.

Conclusions:

  • The multidrug resistance plasmid pTZC1 can be transferred between C. acnes and C. granulosum.
  • Horizontal gene transfer of pTZC1 on the skin surface contributes to the prevalence of multidrug-resistant strains.
  • Antimicrobial resistance genes may pool on the skin surface, facilitating resistance spread among bacteria.
Keywords:
Cutibacteriumacne vulgarismultidrug resistancepTZC1transconjugation

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