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Inducible high resistance to colistin in Proteus strains
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
|July 1, 1977
Abstract:
Wild-type Proteus strains are usually resistant to colistin. We have observed an increase in the level of colistin resistance in four clinical isolates of P. vulgaris, P. morganii, and P. rettgeri by prior treatment with subinhibitory concentrations of the drug. The enhanced resistance in these strains was lost after cultivating them in colistin-free medium, indicating that the enhanced resistance in the Proteus group is inducible.
Insights
Colistin resistance in Proteus bacteria can be induced by prior exposure to low drug levels. This enhanced resistance is reversible, disappearing when the bacteria are grown without colistin.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Wild-type Proteus species typically exhibit resistance to colistin, a critical antibiotic.
- Understanding mechanisms of colistin resistance is crucial for managing infections caused by Proteus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of subinhibitory colistin concentrations on colistin resistance levels in clinical Proteus isolates.
- To determine if enhanced colistin resistance in Proteus is a stable or inducible trait.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of clinical isolates of Proteus vulgaris, Proteus morganii, and Proteus rettgeri to subinhibitory concentrations of colistin.
- Cultivation of treated strains in colistin-free medium to assess resistance reversibility.
Main Results:
- Prior treatment with subinhibitory colistin concentrations led to an increased level of colistin resistance in the tested Proteus strains.
- The enhanced colistin resistance was lost upon cultivation in a colistin-free environment.
Conclusions:
- The observed increase in colistin resistance in Proteus strains is an inducible phenomenon.
- This inducibility suggests a reversible adaptive mechanism contributing to colistin resistance in Proteus.