[Trimethoprim resistance plasmids: transferability and incompatibility groups (author's transl)]

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology
• Epidemiology

Context:

• Enterobacteria are common causes of infection.
• Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health concern.
• Trimethoprim and sulfonamides are important antibiotics.

Purpose:

• To investigate trimethoprim and sulfonamide resistance in enterobacteria.
• To characterize the mechanisms of resistance, including plasmid-mediated transfer.
• To determine the diversity of plasmids conferring trimethoprim resistance.

Summary:

• Over three years, 119 enterobacteria strains showed resistance to trimethoprim (TMP) and sulfonamides (Su); 11 were TMP-resistant only.
• Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for TMP ranged from 32 to 2048 µg/ml.
• Strains were categorized into thymineless variants, non-transferable TMP resistance (95 strains), and transferable TMP resistance (33 strains).
• TMP and Su markers were transferred independently (13 strains) or cotransferred (20 strains).
• Plasmid incompatibility groups (31 analyzed) included fi+ (FII, 10 strains) and fi- (groups 6, 7, 10, N, I1, 21 strains).

Impact:

• Highlights the diverse plasmid landscape associated with TMP resistance in enterobacteria.
• Suggests potential for broad dissemination of antimicrobial resistance.
• Informs strategies for infection control and antibiotic stewardship.