Transferability of macrolide, lincomycin, and streptogramin resistances between group A, B, and D streptococci,...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Plasmid transfer is a key mechanism for antibiotic resistance dissemination.
• Streptococcal plasmids play a significant role in the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
• Understanding plasmid host range is crucial for predicting resistance spread.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the transferability and host range of plasmid pRI405.
• To compare the host range of pRI405 with that of a known streptococcal plasmid.
• To characterize pRI405 in relation to other MLS resistance plasmids.

Main Methods:

• Conjugation experiments were performed to assess plasmid transfer.
• Plasmid pRI405 was transferred between various bacterial species, including streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus.
• Restriction enzyme digestion was used to analyze the genetic relatedness of pRI405.

Main Results:

• Plasmid pRI405 demonstrated transferability to Streptococcus groups A, B, and D, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus.
• The host range of pRI405 was found to be comparable to that of the streptococcal plasmid pAM beta 1.
• Restriction enzyme analysis indicated that pRI405 belongs to a family of MLS resistance plasmids.

Conclusions:

• Plasmid pRI405 exhibits broad transferability among clinically relevant Gram-positive bacteria.
• pRI405 shares a similar host range with pAM beta 1, suggesting potential for co-transfer or shared evolutionary origins.
• The findings contribute to understanding the epidemiology of MLS resistance in streptococci and related species.