Related Experiment Videos
Molecular characterization and antibiotic susceptibility of Vibrio cholerae non-O1
A Dalsgaard1, O Serichantalergs, C Pitarangsi
1Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
Abstract:
A collection of 64 clinical and environmental Vibrio cholerae non-O1 strains isolated in Asia and Peru were characterized by molecular methods and antibiotic susceptibility testing. All strains were resistant to at least 1 and 80% were resistant to two or more antibiotics. Several strains showed multiple antibiotic resistance (> or = three antibiotics). Plasmids most often of low molecular weight were found in 21/64 (33%) strains. The presence of plasmids did not correlate with antibiotic resistance or influence ribotype patterns. In colony hybridization studies 63/64 (98%) V. cholerae non-O1 strains were cholera toxin negative, whereas only strains recovered from patients were heat-stable enterotoxin positive. Forty-seven Bgl I ribotypes were observed. No correlation was shown between ribotype and toxin gene status. Ribotype similarity was compared by cluster analysis and two main groups of 13 and 34 ribotypes was found. Ribotyping is apparently a useful epidemiological tool in investigations of V. cholerae non-O1 infections.
Insights
Most Vibrio cholerae non-O1 strains exhibit significant antibiotic resistance. Molecular characterization revealed ribotyping as a valuable tool for epidemiological studies of these non-O1 Vibrio cholerae infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Epidemiology
Background:
- Vibrio cholerae non-O1 strains are significant public health concerns.
- Understanding their molecular epidemiology and antibiotic resistance is crucial for disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize clinical and environmental Vibrio cholerae non-O1 strains.
- To assess their antibiotic resistance patterns and molecular diversity.
- To evaluate ribotyping as an epidemiological tool.
Main Methods:
- Molecular characterization including Bgl I ribotyping.
- Antibiotic susceptibility testing.
- Colony hybridization for toxin gene detection.
- Plasmid analysis.
- Cluster analysis for ribotype comparison.
Main Results:
- 64 Vibrio cholerae non-O1 strains showed high rates of antibiotic resistance (≥1 antibiotic: 100%; ≥2 antibiotics: 80%).
- Multiple antibiotic resistance was observed in several strains.
- Plasmids were present in 33% of strains but did not correlate with resistance or ribotypes.
- 98% of strains were cholera toxin negative; heat-stable enterotoxin positivity correlated with clinical isolates.
- Forty-seven Bgl I ribotypes were identified, with two main groups found via cluster analysis.
- No correlation between ribotype and toxin gene status was observed.
Conclusions:
- Vibrio cholerae non-O1 strains frequently display multidrug resistance.
- Ribotyping is an effective method for the epidemiological investigation of Vibrio cholerae non-O1 infections.
- Further research into the genetic basis of antibiotic resistance in these strains is warranted.