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Relationship between pigment producibility and drug resistance in Serratia marcescens
Abstract:
Among the clinical isolates of Serratia marcescens, non-pigmented cells appeared more frequently from pigmented, drug-resistant strains than from pigmented, drug-sensitive strains. Transfer of R plasmid from Escherichia coli to pigmented strains caused spontaneous loss of pigment producibility, whereas such spontaneous loss never occurred in fresh cultures of drug-sensitive strains. The non-pigmented strain was a better recipient of R plasmid from E. coli than was the pigmented strain. R plasmid was transferred from the non-pigmented strain to the pigmented strain at a higher frequency than from E. coli to the pigmented strain. The results of the present investigation suggest that transfer of R plasmid may be one of the reasons for the significant increase of non-pigmented, drug-resistant strains of S. marcescens in nature.
Insights
R plasmid transfer in Serratia marcescens can lead to non-pigmented, drug-resistant strains. This suggests R plasmid acquisition may explain the rise of these variants in clinical settings.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Serratia marcescens clinical isolates exhibit variations in pigmentation and drug resistance.
- Non-pigmented variants are observed more frequently in drug-resistant strains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of R plasmid transfer in the emergence of non-pigmented, drug-resistant Serratia marcescens.
- To compare the frequency of R plasmid transfer between different strains and sources.
Main Methods:
- Experimental transfer of R plasmid from Escherichia coli to pigmented Serratia marcescens strains.
- Assessment of pigment production and drug resistance in recipient strains post-plasmid transfer.
- Comparison of R plasmid recipient capabilities between pigmented and non-pigmented strains.
Main Results:
- Transfer of R plasmid induced spontaneous loss of pigment production in pigmented strains.
- Non-pigmented strains demonstrated higher efficiency in receiving R plasmids compared to pigmented strains.
- R plasmid transfer occurred at a higher frequency from non-pigmented strains to pigmented strains than from E. coli.
Conclusions:
- R plasmid transfer is a significant factor contributing to the increased prevalence of non-pigmented, drug-resistant Serratia marcescens.
- The interaction between R plasmids and host cell genetics influences phenotypic changes like pigment loss.