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[Identification and characteristics of the conjugative R plasmids of conditionally pathogenic E. coli isolated from
Abstract:
The study on 63 strains of conditionally pathogenic E. coli isolated from patients with chronic pyelonephritis showed that the bacteria of the 47 strains (74.6%) were resistant to one or several antibiotics. 7 strains of such bacteria carried R-plasmids capable of transferring into the cells of E. coli K-12 during conjugation. Most of the identified 9 R-plasmids belonged to the class of the F-like plasmids and were characterized by similar lots of antibiotic resistance markers. DNA of the detected R-plasmids were treated with endonuclease (restrictase) EcoRI. After that the fragments were analysed by means of electrophoresis in agarose gel. On the basis of the restrictogrames it was concluded that the plasmids studied were not identical. A possibility of detecting complexes consisting of different plasmids carrying similar lots of antibiotic resistance markers in the cells of the same strain was shown.
Insights
Most E. coli strains causing chronic pyelonephritis exhibit antibiotic resistance due to R-plasmids. These transferable plasmids, often F-like, carry multiple resistance markers, though unique DNA patterns were observed among them.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern in treating bacterial infections.
- Conditionally pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains can cause severe infections like chronic pyelonephritis.
- R-plasmids are key genetic elements responsible for the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in E. coli strains from chronic pyelonephritis patients.
- To characterize the R-plasmids present in resistant E. coli strains.
- To analyze the genetic relatedness and diversity of these R-plasmids.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and antibiotic susceptibility testing of E. coli strains.
- Conjugation experiments to transfer R-plasmids.
- Plasmid DNA extraction and restriction endonuclease digestion (EcoRI).
- Agarose gel electrophoresis for fragment analysis.
Main Results:
- 74.6% of 63 E. coli strains showed resistance to one or more antibiotics.
- 7 strains harbored transferable R-plasmids, mostly F-like, with common antibiotic resistance markers.
- Restriction analysis revealed that the studied R-plasmids were not identical.
- Evidence suggests the presence of plasmid complexes with similar resistance markers within single strains.
Conclusions:
- Conditionally pathogenic E. coli strains from chronic pyelonephritis patients frequently exhibit multidrug resistance.
- Transferable R-plasmids play a significant role in disseminating antibiotic resistance.
- Genetic analysis of R-plasmids is crucial for understanding resistance mechanisms and evolution.
- The findings highlight the complexity of antibiotic resistance gene acquisition and maintenance in bacterial populations.