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Mobilization of antibiotic resistance for transfer in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
M Lesická-Hupková1, J Blahová, V Krcméry
1Institute of Preventive and Clinical Medicine, Limbová, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
Abstract:
We describe a phenomenon of mobilization of antibiotic resistance from non-transferring strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by cultivation with strains of P.aeruginosa capable of transferring determinants of antibiotic resistance to a susceptible recipient strain by triparental cross. In this report we described two strains of P.aeruginosa capable to mobilize for transfer the resistance determinants in strains of P.aeruginosa with multiply antibiotic resistance which were not themselves transferable to Pseudomonas recipient strains. Two strains of P.aeruginosa No. 282 and 283 from Bata's Hospital in Zlín, Czech Republic, were used as donor strains for experiments in triparental crosses. They were resistant to carbenicillin (CAR), kanamycin (KAN), cefalotin-cefazolin (CFR), cefotaxime (CTX), ceftazidime (CAZ) and aztreonam (AZA). Both strains transferred CFR resistance to Escherichia coli K-12 rif+ recipient, but not to P.aeruginosa PAO recipients. In a second system, a strain of P.aeruginosa No. 76 from Frankfurt University Clinics was used as a donor strain. It transfers CAR resistance to PAO-1670 rif+, but not to E. coli K-12 rif+. Two strains of P.aeruginosa from Frankfurt University Clinics No. 76 and 229 were used as intermediary recipient strains. They were resistant to CAR, KAN, CTX, CAZ, AZA, imipenem (IMP) and ofloxacin (OFL). Strain No. 229 did not transfer any antibiotic resistance to any of both final recipient strains. Strain No. 76 transfers, as indicated, CAR resistance determinant to PAO 1670 rif+ recipient strain. Strains of E. coli K-12 No. 3110 rif+ and P.aeruginosa PAO 1670 rif+ were used as final recipient strains.
Insights
Antibiotic resistance can spread from non-transferring Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains when cultured with resistant strains. This study demonstrates mobilization of antibiotic resistance determinants, highlighting potential mechanisms of resistance spread.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health threat.
- The spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is often mediated by mobile genetic elements.
- Understanding resistance transfer mechanisms in bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mobilization of antibiotic resistance from non-transferring Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains.
- To demonstrate the transfer of antibiotic resistance determinants via triparental crosses.
- To identify specific strains capable of mediating resistance transfer.
Main Methods:
- Utilized triparental crosses involving donor, intermediary recipient, and final recipient strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli.
- Employed antibiotic resistance profiling to track the transfer of specific resistance determinants (e.g., carbenicillin, cefalotin-cefazolin).
- Tested the transferability of resistance between different bacterial species and strains.
Main Results:
- Two Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains (No. 282 and 283) mobilized cefalotin-cefazolin resistance to Escherichia coli K-12 but not to Pseudomonas aeruginosa recipients.
- A Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain (No. 76) transferred carbenicillin resistance to a Pseudomonas aeruginosa recipient (PAO-1670) but not to Escherichia coli K-12.
- One intermediary strain (No. 229) did not transfer any resistance, while another (No. 76) successfully transferred carbenicillin resistance.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrated the mobilization of antibiotic resistance from previously non-transferring Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains.
- Highlighted the potential for inter-species and intra-species transfer of antibiotic resistance determinants.
- Suggests that specific bacterial strains can act as vectors for spreading antibiotic resistance.