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Updated: Jun 21, 2025
Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance
Published on: May 2, 2018
Retraction Note: Imipenem-resistance in Serratia marcescens is mediated by plasmid expression of KPC-2
Abstract:
The article "Imipenem-resistance in Serratia marcescens is mediated by plasmid expression of KPC-2", by W.-Q. Su, Y.-Q. Zhu, N.-M. Deng, L. Li, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2017; 21 (7): 1690- 1694-PMID: 28429335 has been retracted by the Editor in Chief. Following some concerns raised on PubPeer (link: https://pubpeer.com/publications/F7E91E2863540C7CB030B86E16917F), the Editor in Chief has started an investigation to assess the validity of the results as well as possible figure and data manipulation. The authors were informed about the journal's investigation but have remained unresponsive and have not provided the manuscript's raw data. Therefore, the validity of the overall results could not be verified. The journal's investigation revealed that Figures 2 and 3 have been computer-generated. Additionally, Figure 1 was duplicated from a previously published article. Moreover, several terminology inaccuracies were identified within the manuscript. Consequently, the Editor in Chief mistrusts the results presented and has decided to retract the article. This article has been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/12540.
Insights
This study on Serratia marcescens imipenem resistance is retracted due to data manipulation and figure duplication. The findings regarding Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase 2 (KPC-2) are unreliable.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Medical Pharmacology
Context:
- Concerns were raised regarding data integrity and figure manipulation in the published article.
- An investigation was initiated to assess the validity of the research findings.
- The authors did not respond to requests for raw data, hindering verification.
Purpose:
- To investigate the mechanisms of imipenem resistance in Serratia marcescens.
- To determine the role of plasmid-mediated Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase 2 (KPC-2) in resistance.
- To validate the presented experimental results and data.
Summary:
- The article investigating imipenem resistance in Serratia marcescens via KPC-2 is retracted.
- Figures were found to be computer-generated or duplicated from other publications.
- Terminology inaccuracies and lack of raw data prevented verification of results.
Impact:
- The retraction raises concerns about the reliability of the study's conclusions on antibiotic resistance mechanisms.
- This highlights the importance of rigorous data verification and ethical research practices in scientific publishing.
- The scientific community is alerted to the compromised integrity of this specific publication.
