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Plasmid Stability Analysis with Open-Source Droplet Microfluidics
Published on: December 27, 2024
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Urinary Plasmids Reduce Permissivity to Coliphage Infection.
Cesar Montelongo Hernandez1, Catherine Putonti2,3, Alan J Wolfe1
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
Microbiology Spectrum
|July 6, 2023
Summary
Urinary tract plasmids in E. coli can reduce susceptibility to bacteriophage infection and maintain antibiotic resistance. This interaction impacts phage therapy by potentially selecting for antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The urinary tract harbors a microbial community (urobiota) linked to human health.
- Bacteriophages (phages) and plasmids influence bacterial dynamics within the urobiota.
- Interactions between bacteria, plasmids, and phages in the urinary tract are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize urinary E. coli plasmids.
- To investigate the role of these plasmids in modulating permissivity to coliphage infection.
- To explore the implications of these interactions for antibiotic resistance and phage therapy.
Main Methods:
- Identification and prediction of F plasmids in urinary E. coli isolates.
- Conjugation of urinary E. coli plasmids into E. coli K-12 strains.
- Assessment of transconjugant permissivity to laboratory and urinary coliphages.
Main Results:
- 47 of 67 urinary E. coli isolates contained putative F plasmids, often carrying toxin-antitoxin, antibiotic resistance, and virulence genes.
- Transconjugant E. coli K-12 strains harboring urinary plasmids showed decreased permissivity to coliphage infection.
- Plasmids were stably maintained in E. coli K-12, preserving antibiotic resistance and reduced phage susceptibility.
Conclusions:
- Urinary E. coli F plasmids can decrease susceptibility to coliphage infection.
- These plasmids may play a role in maintaining antibiotic resistance within the urinary tract.
- Phage therapy could inadvertently select for antibiotic-resistant strains due to plasmid-mediated resistance.
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