Quantitative real-time PCR study of the expression and regulation of the tetracycline resistance gene in Riemerella anatipestifer. - Related Documents




#
Rank
Similarity
Title + Abs.
Year
PMID
012345
361001.0000Quantitative real-time PCR study of the expression and regulation of the tetracycline resistance gene in Riemerella anatipestifer. Riemerella anatipestifer (RA) is one of the most important pathogens of 1- to 8-wk-old ducklings that severely affects the development of the duck industry in China. Every year, antibiotic medicines including tetracycline and doxycycline are used in the duck industry. Few reports compare the expression of multidrug-resistant genes in RA before and after addition of chemical drugs. With this in mind, the direct effects of gradient concentration of tetracyclines on the expression of tetracycline resistance genes (TETr) in RA at the cDNA level were studied by using a quantitative real-time PCR method. The expression of TETr, tetA, tetC, and tetM was investigated in ATCC11845 and in 30 RA isolated from different samples. Using a range of doxycycline concentrations up to 50% of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), the optimal induction concentration of 0.0625 μg/mL was selected. Under the optimal inducible expression, concentrations of TETr, tetC, and tetM cDNA were detected in all isolates, and the highest mRNA expression level of TETr genes was shown. Additionally, the expression levels of 3 TETr genes in RA14 (tetA and tetC) and RA17 (tetM and tetC) were compared. Both tetC and tetA found in isolate RA14 was found to express both tetC and tetA, and tetC cDNA was detected in isolate RA17 at all doxycycline concentrations tested, whereas tetM cDNA was not detected at any concentration. We can conclude that resistance pump is the main mechanism of tetracycline antibiotic resistance, and under the action of drug resistance pump tetC, the expression of tetM was not activated in RA17. These data suggest that the mRNA expression level of TETr genes was correlated with the MIC values, indicating that the degree of drug resistance is determined by the expression levels of TETr genes. Also, the induction of TETr is the major tetracycline resistance mechanism in RA, especially the resistance pump. However, lower concentrations of doxycycline induced higher TETr expression, and higher concentrations inhibited TETr expression. Maybe that is the reason for selection mutation to make tolerated bacteria survive.201323687151
575710.9997The expression regulation of recA gene and bacterial class 2 integron-associated genes induced by antibiotics. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects and mechanisms of common antibiotics induction on the expression of class 2 integron integrase and variable region resistance genes in bacteria, as well as potential structural mutations. METHODS: Clinical isolates containing non-functional class 2 integrons and functional class 2 integrons were selected. Strains containing non-functional class 2 integrons or functional class 2 integrons were constructed using isolated DNA templates. These strains were subjected to continuous induction with drug concentrations of 1/2 MIC and 1/4 MIC (ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, and kanamycin) and a concentration of 0.2 μg/ml (mitomycin C) over 8 days. The relative expression levels of relevant genes were measured on days 1, 3, and 8. Drug resistance in the experimental strains was assessed before and after induction to identify any differences. Finally, the sequence of the non-functional class 2 integron integrase gene was analyzed for structural changes that occurred as a result of induction. RESULTS: All drugs selected in this study increased the relative expression levels of recA, intI2, dfrA1, sat2, and aadA1. Significant differences in inductive abilities were observed among the drugs. The 1/2 MIC concentrations were more effective than 1/4 MIC concentrations in increasing the relative expression levels of target genes and enhancing the resistance of the experimental strains. The relative expression levels of recA, intI2, and dfrA1 rose on day 1, peaked on day 3, and slightly declined by day 8. Induced strains exhibited increased resistance to the drugs, with the most significant changes observed in the clinical isolates, particularly concerning CIP resistance. Notably, clinical isolate 7b induced with 1/2 MIC KAN exhibited the loss of one base at position 12bp in the integrase sequence. However, none of the four drugs induced mutations at the 444 bp position of class 2 integrons. CONCLUSION: Sub-MIC concentrations of drugs have been shown to induce an increase in the relative expression level of the SOS response-related gene recA, as well as the integrase and resistance genes of class 2 integrons. Continuous induction leads to sustained upregulation of these genes, which stabilizes or slightly decreases upon reaching a plateau. However, the capacity of different drugs to induce expression varies significantly. Short-term antibiotic exposure did not result in critical mutations that convert class 2 integrons into functional forms.202540950603
361120.9996Tolerance to quaternary ammonium compound disinfectants may enhance growth of Listeria monocytogenes in the food industry. The antibacterial effect of disinfectants is crucial for the control of Listeria monocytogenes in food processing environments. Tolerance of L. monocytogenes to sublethal levels of disinfectants based on quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC) is conferred by the resistance determinants qacH and bcrABC. The presence and distribution of these genes have been anticipated to have a role in the survival and growth of L. monocytogenes in food processing environments where QAC based disinfectants are in common use. In this study, a panel of 680 L. monocytogenes from nine Norwegian meat- and salmon processing plants were grouped into 36 MLVA profiles. The presence of qacH and bcrABC was determined in 101 isolates from the 26 most common MLVA profiles. Five MLVA profiles contained qacH and two contained bcrABC. Isolates with qacH and bcrABC showed increased tolerance to the QAC Benzalkonium chloride (BC), with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 5-12, 10-13 and <5ppm for strains with qacH (two allele variants observed), bcrABC, and neither gene, respectively. Isolates with qacH or bcrABC were not more tolerant to BC in bactericidal tests in suspension or in biofilms compared with isolates lacking the genes. Water residue samples collected from surfaces in meat processing plants after QAC disinfection had bactericidal effect against L. monocytogenes when the sample BC levels were high (>100ppm). A sample with lower BC concentrations (14ppm of chain length C-12 and 2.7ppm of chain length C-14) inhibited growth of L. monocytogenes not containing bcrABC or qacH, compared to strains with these genes. The study has shown that L. monocytogenes harbouring the QAC resistance genes qacH and bcrABC are prevalent in the food industry and that residuals of QAC may be present in concentrations after sanitation in the industry that result in a growth advantage for bacteria with such resistance genes.201727810443
575630.9996Chlorogenic acid attenuates tet (X)-mediated doxycycline resistance of Riemerella anatipestifer. INTRODUCTION: The increasing resistance of R. anatipestifer has posed a significant threat to the poultry industry in recent years. The tet gene is the primary determinant of tetracycline resistance in numerous bacteria, and the enzyme modification gene tet(X) is predominantly detected in tetracycline-resistant R. anatipestifer strains. METHODS: In this study, we evaluated the susceptibility of both the standard strain and clinical isolates of R. anatipestifer to doxycycline. And the expression levels of tet(X), tet(A), and tet(O) genes were detected. To assess drug susceptibility, shuttle plasmids were constructed to transfer the tet(X) gene into the standard strain of R. anatipestifer followed by treatment with chlorogenic acid. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The results revealed that the minimum inhibitory concentration of doxycycline for the standard strain was 0.25μg/mL, whereas it exceeded 8μg/mL for the clinical isolates. Furthermore, there was a significant upregulation observed in expression levels of tet(X), tet(A), and tet(O) genes among induced strains. Interestingly, when transferring the tet(X) gene into the standard strain, its sensitivity to doxycycline decreased; however, MIC values for chlorogenic acid remained consistent between both standard and drug-resistant strains of R. anatipestifer. Moreover, we made a surprising discovery that screening passage with chlorogenic acid resulted in increased sensitivity of R. anatipestifer to doxycycline. Further analysis demonstrated a reversal in expression trends among three differentially expressed genes within induced drug resistance group after intervention with chlorogenic acid. The main objective behind this study is to investigate both killing effect exerted by chlorogenic acid on drug-resistant R. anatipestifer as well as its regulatory impact on drug resistance genes. This will provide novel insights and theoretical basis towards development of chlorogenic acid as a promising drug for treatment and control of drug resistance in R. anatipestifer.202438764851
611340.9996Metal tolerance assisted antibiotic susceptibility profiling in Comamonas acidovorans. Metal ions are known selective agents for antibiotic resistance and frequently accumulate in natural environments due to the anthropogenic activities. However, the action of metals that cause the antibiotic resistance is not known for all bacteria. The present work is aimed to investigate the co-selection of metals and antibiotic resistance in Comamonas acidovorans. Tolerance profile of 16 metals revealed that the strain could tolerate high concentrations of toxic metals i.e., Cr (710 ppm), As (380 ppm), Cd (320 ppm), Pb (305 ppm) and Hg (205 ppm). Additionally, metal tolerant phenotypes were subjected to antibiotic resistance profiling; wherein several metal tolerant phenotypes (Cr 1.35-fold; Co-1.33 fold; Mn-1.29 fold) were resistant, while other metal tolerant phenotypes (Mg 1.32-fold; Hg 1.29-fold; Cu 1.28-fold) were susceptible than control phenotype. Metal accumulation may alter the metabolism of C. acidovorans that activates or inactivates the genes responsible for antibiotic resistance, resulting in the resistance and/or susceptibility pattern observed in metal resistant phenotypes.201829302860
529150.9996Low-Concentration Ciprofloxacin Selects Plasmid-Mediated Quinolone Resistance Encoding Genes and Affects Bacterial Taxa in Soil Containing Manure. The spread of antimicrobial resistance in environment is promoted at least in part by the inappropriate use of antibiotics in animals and humans. The present study was designed to investigate the impact of different concentrations of ciprofloxacin in soil containing manure on the development of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) - encoding genes and the abundance of soil bacterial communities. For these studies, high-throughput next-generation sequencing of 16S rRNA, real-time polymerase chain reaction and standard microbiologic culture methods were utilized. We demonstrated that the dissipate rate of relative abundances of some of PMQR-encoding genes, such as qnrS, oqxA and aac(6('))-Ib-cr, were significantly lower with ciprofloxacin 0.04 and 0.4 mg/kg exposure as compared to no-ciprofloxacin control and ciprofloxacin 4 mg/kg exposure during 2 month. Also, the number of ciprofloxacin resistant bacteria was significantly greater in ciprofloxacin 0.04 and 0.4 mg/kg exposure as compared with no-ciprofloxacin control and the ciprofloxacin 4 mg/kg exposure. In addition, lower ciprofloxacin concentration provided a selective advantage for the populations of Xanthomonadales and Bacillales in orders while Agrobacterium, Bacillus, Enterococcus, and Burkholderia in genera. These findings suggest that lower concentration of ciprofloxacin resulted in a slower rate of PMQR-encoding genes dissipation and selected development of ciprofloxacin-resistant bacteria in soil amended with manure.201627847506
458260.9996Selective pressure of various levels of erythromycin on the development of antibiotic resistance. This study evaluated microbial fitness under selective pressure of various erythromycin concentrations and the development of resistance genes in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis). Eight different concentrations of erythromycin were applied to the environment of erythromycin-resistant strains. The development of erythromycin resistance genes and gene expression were evaluated with plate counting method (PCM), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The results indicated that bacterial growth and adaptation were influenced by bacterial fitness in response to different levels of erythromycin concentrations. Furthermore, the concentration at one minimum inhibitory concentration (1x MIC) was the most effective concentration to select for antibiotic resistance for E.coli, while 4x MIC was the most effective concentration to select for antibiotic resistance for E. faecalis. Total cell densities, measured by qPCR, FISH, and PCM, decreased with increasing erythromycin concentrations. Conversely, resistant bacteria and erythromycin ribosome methylase (erm) gene abundance increased with sub-MIC erythromycin concentrations. Methylated 23S rRNA decreased with increasing erythromycin concentrations. In summary, erythromycin-resistant E. coli and E. faecalis strains adapted to the selective pressure of varying erythromycin concentrations by acquiring and proliferating antibiotic-resistant genes. These results indicate that the development of antibiotic resistance is closely linked to antibiotic concentrations and highlight the significance of selective windows in the emergence and persistence of antibiotic resistance under varying antibiotic concentrations.202539870133
576270.9996Evolution of antimicrobial resistance in E. coli biofilm treated with high doses of ciprofloxacin. The evolution of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has mainly been studied in planktonic bacteria exposed to sub-inhibitory antimicrobial (AM) concentrations. However, in a number of infections that are treated with AMs the bacteria are located in biofilms where they tolerate high doses of AM. In the present study, we continuously exposed biofilm residing E. coli at body temperature to high ciprofloxacin (CIP) concentrations increasing from 4 to 130 times the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), i.e., from 0.06 to 2.0 mg/L. After 1 week, the biofilms were full of CIP resistant bacteria. The evolutionary trajectory observed was the same as described in the literature for planktonic bacteria, i.e., starting with a single mutation in the target gene gyrA followed by mutations in parC, gyrB, and parE, as well as in genes for regulation of multidrug efflux pump systems and outer membrane porins. Strains with higher numbers of these mutations also displayed higher MIC values. Furthermore, the evolution of CIP resistance was more rapid, and resulted in strains with higher MIC values, when the bacteria were biofilm residing than when they were in a planktonic suspension. These results may indicate that extensive clinical AM treatment of biofilm-residing bacteria may not only fail to eradicate the infection but also pose an increased risk of AMR development.202337731931
576380.9995Development of in vitro resistance to fluoroquinolones in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Fluoroquinolone resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa typically arises through site-specific mutations and overexpression of efflux pumps. In this study, we investigated the dynamics of different resistance mechanisms in P. aeruginosa populations that have evolved under fluoroquinolone pressure, as well as the interactions between these mechanisms in evolutionary trajectories. Bacteria of strain ATCC27853 were selected under different concentrations of ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin for six parallel lineages, followed by amplification of four target genes in the quinolone-resistance determining region (QRDR) and Sanger sequencing to identify the mutations. The expression of four efflux pump proteins was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction using the relative quantitation method, with the ATCC27853 strain used as a control. We found that ciprofloxacin killed P. aeruginosa sooner than did levofloxacin. Further, we identified five different mutations in three subunits of QRDRs, with gyrA as the main mutated gene associated with conferring fluoroquinolone resistance. Additionally, we found a larger number of mutations appearing at 2 mg/L and 4 mg/L of ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, respectively. Moreover, we identified the main efflux pump being expressed as MexCD-OprJ, with initial overexpression observed at 0.25 mg/L and 0.5 mg/L of ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, respectively. These results demonstrated gyrA(83) mutation and MexCD-OprJ overexpression as the primary mechanism conferring ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin resistance in P. aeruginosa. In addition, we also show that ciprofloxacin exhibited a stronger ability to kill the bacteria while potentially rendering it more susceptible to resistance.202032758289
565190.9995Class 1 integron causes vulnerability to formaldehyde in Escherichia coli. In this study, the relationships of integron 1 element, formaldehyde dehydrogenase, and orfF genes with the level of formaldehyde resistance of isolated E. coli were investigated. E. coli bacteria were isolated from apparently healthy and colibacillosis-affected broilers of Fars Province, Iran. Formaldehyde resistance level and the presence of genetic markers were measured using MIC, and PCR tests, respectively. The prevalence of integron 1 element, orfF, and formaldehyde dehydrogenase genes in E. coli isolates were 61%, 8%, and 94%, respectively. In addition, according to our cut off definition, 15% and 85% of isolates were resistant and sensitive to formaldehyde, respectively. None of the genes had a statistically significant relationship with the formaldehyde resistance; however, the isolates containing integron 1 were significantly more sensitive to formaldehyde in the MIC test than those without integron 1. Integron 1 gene cassette could carry some bacterial surface proteins and porins with different roles in bacterial cells. Formaldehyde could also interfere with the protein functions by alkylating and cross-linking, and this compound would affect bacterial cell surface proteins in advance. Through an increase in the cell surface proteins, the presence of integron 1 gene cassette might make E. coli more sensitive to formaldehyde. As integron 1 was always involved in increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics and disinfectants such as QACs, this is the first report of bacterial induction of sensitivity to a disinfectant through integron 1. Finally, integron 1 does not always add an advantage to E. coli bacteria, and it could be assumed as a cause of vulnerability to formaldehyde.202134148112
7784100.9995No evidential correlation between veterinary antibiotic degradation ability and resistance genes in microorganisms during the biodegradation of doxycycline. Biodegradation of antibiotic residues in the environment by microorganisms may lead to the generation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which are of great concern to human health. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between the ability to degrade antibiotic doxycycline (DOX) and the development of resistance genes in microorganisms. We isolated and identified ten bacterial strains from a vegetable field that had received long-term manure application as fertilizer and were capable of surviving in a series of DOX concentrations (25, 50, 80, and 100mg/L). Our results showed no evidential correlation between DOX degradation ability and the development of resistance genes among the isolated microorganisms that had high DOX degradation capability (P > 0.05). This was based on the fact that Escherichia sp. and Candida sp. were the most efficient bacterial strains to degrade DOX (92.52% and 91.63%, respectively), but their tetracycline resistance genes showed a relatively low risk of antibiotic resistance in a 7-day experiment. Moreover, the tetM of the ribosomal protection protein genes carried by these two preponderant bacteria was five-fold higher than that carried by other isolates (P < 0.05). Pearson correlations between the C(t)/C(0) of DOX and tet resistance genes of three isolates, except for Escherichia sp. and Candida sp., showed remarkable negative correlations (P < 0.05), mainly because tetG markedly increased during the DOX degradation process. Our results concluded that the biodegradation of antibiotic residues may not necessarily lead to the development of ARGs in the environment. In addition, the two bacteria that we isolated, namely, Escherichia sp. and Candida sp., are potential candidates for the engineering of environmentally friendly bacteria.201828942279
3396110.9995Extended antibiotic treatment in salmon farms select multiresistant gut bacteria with a high prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes. The high use of antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial diseases is one of the main problems in the mass production of animal protein. Salmon farming in Chile is a clear example of the above statement, where more than 5,500 tonnes of antibiotics have been used over the last 10 years. This has caused a great impact both at the production level and on the environment; however, there are still few works in relation to it. In order to demonstrate the impact of the high use of antibiotics on fish gut microbiota, we have selected four salmon farms presenting a similar amount of fish of the Atlantic salmon species (Salmo salar), ranging from 4,500 to 6,000 tonnes. All of these farms used treatments with high doses of antibiotics. Thus, 15 healthy fish were selected and euthanised in order to isolate the bacteria resistant to the antibiotics oxytetracycline and florfenicol from the gut microbiota. In total, 47 bacterial isolates resistant to florfenicol and 44 resistant to oxytetracycline were isolated, among which isolates with Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) exceeding 2048 μg/mL for florfenicol and 1024 μg/mL for oxytetracycline were found. In addition, another six different antibiotics were tested in order to demonstrate the multiresistance phenomenon. In this regard, six isolates of 91 showed elevated resistance values for the eight tested antibiotics, including florfenicol and oxytetracycline, were found. These bacteria were called "super-resistant" bacteria. This phenotypic resistance was verified at a genotypic level since most isolates showed antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) to florfenicol and oxytetracycline. Specifically, 77% of antibiotic resistant bacteria showed at least one gene resistant to florfenicol and 89% showed at least one gene resistant to oxytetracycline. In the present study, it was demonstrated that the high use of the antibiotics florfenicol and oxytetracycline has, as a consequence, the selection of multiresistant bacteria in the gut microbiota of farmed fish of the Salmo salar species at the seawater stage. Also, the phenotypic resistance of these bacteria can be correlated with the presence of antibiotic resistance genes.201830204782
4572120.9995Effect of high pressure processing on changes in antibiotic resistance genes expression among strains from commercial starter cultures. This study analyzed the effect of high-pressure processing on the changes in resistance phenotype and expression of antibiotic resistance genes among strains from commercial starter cultures. After exposure to high pressure the expression of genes encoding resistance to aminoglycosides (aac(6')Ie-aph(2″)Ia and aph(3')-IIIa) decreased and the expression of genes encoding resistance to tetracyclines (tetM and tetW), ampicillin (blaZ) and chloramphenicol (cat) increased. Expression changes differed depending on the pressure variant chosen. The results obtained in the gene expression analysis correlated with the results of the phenotype patterns. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is one of the first studies focused on changes in antibiotic resistance associated with a stress response among strains from commercial starter cultures. The results suggest that the food preservation techniques might affect the phenotype of antibiotic resistance among microorganisms that ultimately survive the process. This points to the need to verify strains used in the food industry for their antibiotic resistance as well as preservation parameters to prevent the further increase in antibiotic resistance in food borne strains.202336462825
3521130.9995Indirect evidence of transposon-mediated selection of antibiotic resistance genes in aquatic systems at low-level oxytetracycline exposures. Subinhibitory levels of antibiotics can promote the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. However, it is unclear whether antibiotic concentrations released into aquatic systems exert adequate pressure to select populations with resistance traits. To examine this issue, 15 mesocosms containing pristine surface water were treated with oxytetracycline (OTC) for 56 days at five levels (0, 5, 20, 50, and 250 microg L(-1)), and six tetracycline-resistance genes (tet(B), tet(L), tet(M), ted(O), tet(Q), and tet(W)), the sum of those genes (tet(R)), "total" 16S-rRNA genes, and transposons (Tn916 and Tn 1545) were monitored using real-time PCR. Absolute water-column resistance-gene abundances did not change at any OTC exposure. However, an increase was observed in the ratio of tet(R) to 16S-rRNA genes in the 250 microg L(-1) OTC units, and an increase in the selection rate of Tc(r) genes (relative to 16S-rRNA genes) was seen when OTC levels were at 20 microg L(-1). Furthermore, tet(M) and Tn916/1545 gene abundances correlated among all treatments (r2 = 0.701, p = 0.05), and there were similar selection patterns of tetR and Tn916/1545 genes relative to the OTC level, suggesting a possible mechanism for retention of specific resistance genes within the systems.200818754392
3529140.9995High dietary zinc supplementation increases the occurrence of tetracycline and sulfonamide resistance genes in the intestine of weaned pigs. BACKGROUND: Dietary zinc oxide is used in pig nutrition to combat post weaning diarrhoea. Recent data suggests that high doses (2.5 g/kg feed) increase the bacterial antibiotic resistance development in weaned pigs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the development of enterobacterial antibiotic resistance genes in the intestinal tract of weaned pigs. FINDINGS: Weaned pigs were fed diets for 4 weeks containing 57 (low), 164 (intermediate) or 2425 (high) mg kg(-1) analytical grade ZnO. DNA extracts from stomach, mid-jejunum, terminal ileum and colon ascendens were amplified by qPCR assays to quantify copy numbers for the tetracycline (tetA) and sulfonamide (sul1) resistance genes in Gram-negative bacteria. Overall, the combined data (n = 336) showed that copy numbers for tetracycline and sulfonamide resistance genes were significantly increased in the high zinc treatment compared to the low (tetA: p value < 10(-6); sul1: p value = 1 × 10(-5)) or intermediate (tetA: P < 1.6 × 10(-4); sul1: P = 3.2 × 10(-4)) zinc treatment. Regarding the time dependent development, no treatment effects were seen 1 week after weaning, but significant differences between high and low/intermediate zinc treatments evolved 2 weeks after weaning. The increased number of tetA and sul1 copies was not confined to the hind gut, but was already present in stomach contents. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the use of high doses of dietary zinc beyond 2 weeks after weaning should be avoided in pigs due to the possible increase of antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria.201526322131
3520150.9995Influence of tetracycline on tetracycline-resistant heterotrophs and tet genes in activated sludge process. The concentrations of tetracycline-intermediate resistant, tetracycline-resistant heterotrophic bacteria, and total heterotrophic bacteria were examined to assess the influence of tetracycline on tetracycline-resistant heterotrophs by the R2A agar cultivation method in the tetracycline fortified activated sludge process and in the natural background. Results showed that the percentages of both tetracycline-intermediate resistant and tetracycline-resistant heterotrophic bacteria in total heterotrophic bacteria were significantly increased, after tetracycline was fed to activated sludge for a 3 months period under four different operating conditions, as compared with the background. In order to investigate the mechanism of activated sludge resistance to tetracycline, polymerase chain reaction experiments were carried out to analyze the existence and evolution of tet genes in the presence of tetracycline. Results revealed that only tet A and tet B genes out of the 11 target tet genes were observed in tetracycline treated activated sludge while no tet gene was detected in background. This indicated that tet A gene could accumulate in activated sludge with slower and continuous influent, while the accumulation of tet B gene could be attributed to shorter hydraulic retention time. Therefore, it was proposed in this study that tetracycline-resistant genes created by efflux pumps spread earlier and quicker to encode resistance to tetracycline, which facilitated the increase in tetracycline-resistance.201525424345
3530160.9995Occurrence of the transferable copper resistance gene tcrB among fecal enterococci of U.S. feedlot cattle fed copper-supplemented diets. Copper, an essential micronutrient, is supplemented in the diet at elevated levels to reduce morbidity and mortality and to promote growth in feedlot cattle. Gut bacteria exposed to copper can acquire resistance, which among enterococci is conferred by a transferable copper resistance gene (tcrB) borne on a plasmid. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether the feeding of copper at levels sufficient to promote growth increases the prevalence of the tcrB gene among the fecal enterococci of feedlot cattle. The study was performed with 261 crossbred yearling heifers housed in 24 pens, with pens assigned randomly to a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments consisting of dietary copper and a commercial linseed meal-based energy protein supplement. A total of 22 isolates, each identified as Enterococcus faecium, were positive for tcrB with an overall prevalence of 3.8% (22/576). The prevalence was higher among the cattle fed diets supplemented with copper (6.9%) compared to normal copper levels (0.7%). The tcrB-positive isolates always contained both erm(B) and tet(M) genes. Median copper MICs for tcrB-positive and tcrB-negative enterococci were 22 and 4 mM, respectively. The transferability of the tcrB gene was demonstrated via a filter-mating assay. Multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis revealed a genetically diverse population of enterococci. The finding of a strong association between the copper resistance gene and other antibiotic (tetracycline and tylosin) resistance determinants is significant because enterococci remain potential pathogens and have the propensity to transfer resistance genes to other bacteria in the gut.201323666328
3527170.9995Nutrient-induced antibiotic resistance in Enterococcus faecalis in the eutrophic environment. Nutrient deposition and extensive use of antibiotics are increasing worldwide, especially in freshwater ecosystems. Bacteria display resistance to certain antibiotics and thus survive for extended periods in eutrophic environments. In this study, model ecosystems were established to investigate the effect of nitrate and phosphate nutrient salts on antibiotic resistance in strains of Enterococcus faecalis. Mesocosms were replicated to evaluate the ecological effects of nutrient influx. The mesocosms were divided into four different nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) regimens. Enterococcus faecalis strains were isolated on Days 0, 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 40, 60 and 95 to evaluate their sensitivity to ampicillin, oxytetracycline (OXY), ciprofloxacin (CIP), chloramphenicol (CHL), vancomycin and erythromycin (ERY). Resistance genes for ERY (ermB, msrC and mefA), OXY [tet(M), tet(L) and tet(S)] and CHL (cat) as well as the enterococcal surface protein gene (esp) were investigated by PCR. The total nitrogen, total phosphorus, chemical oxygen demand permanganate index (COD(Mn)), chlorophyll-a, Secchi depth and trophic level index were observed. In conclusion, addition of N and P had a significant influence on the resistance phenotypes of E. faecalis to OXY, CHL and ERY. Only high dosage led to CIP resistance. Higher total N concentrations resulted in the development of relatively higher resistance to OXY and CIP. The resistance genes tet(L) and tet(S) for OXY, msrC for ERY and cat for CHL were found to be associated with resistance in E. faecalis.201627685672
6262180.9995Potential of Tetracycline Resistance Proteins To Evolve Tigecycline Resistance. Tigecycline is a glycylcycline antibiotic active against multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens. The objectives of our study were to examine the potential of the Tet(A), Tet(K), Tet(M), and Tet(X) tetracycline resistance proteins to acquire mutations causing tigecycline resistance and to determine how this affects resistance to earlier classes of tetracyclines. Mutations in all four tet genes caused a significant increase in the tigecycline MIC in Escherichia coli, and strains expressing mutant Tet(A) and Tet(X) variants reached clinically relevant MICs (2 mg/liter and 3 mg/liter, respectively). Mutations predominantly accumulated in transmembrane domains of the efflux pumps, most likely increasing the accommodation of tigecycline as a substrate. All selected Tet(M) mutants contained at least one mutation in the functionally most important loop III of domain IV. Deletion of leucine 505 of this loop led to the highest increase of the tigecycline MIC (0.5 mg/liter) among Tet(M) mutants. It also caused collateral sensitivity to earlier classes of tetracyclines. A majority of the Tet(X) mutants showed increased activity against all three classes of tetracylines. All tested Tet proteins have the potential to acquire mutations leading to increased MICs of tigecycline. As tet genes are widely found in pathogenic bacteria and spread easily by horizontal gene transfer, resistance development by alteration of existing Tet proteins might compromise the future medical use of tigecycline. We predict that Tet(X) might become the most problematic future Tet determinant, since its weak intrinsic tigecycline activity can be mutationally improved to reach clinically relevant levels without collateral loss in activity to other tetracyclines.201626596936
5289190.9995Examination of the Aerobic Microflora of Swine Feces and Stored Swine Manure. Understanding antibiotic resistance in agricultural ecosystems is critical for determining the effects of subtherapeutic and therapeutic uses of antibiotics for domestic animals. This study was conducted to ascertain the relative levels of antibiotic resistance in the aerobic bacterial population to tetracycline, tylosin, and erythromycin. Swine feces and manure samples were plated onto various agar media with and without antibiotics and incubated at 37°C. Colonies were counted daily. Randomly selected colonies were isolated and characterized by 16S rRNA sequence analyses and additional antibiotic resistance and biochemical analyses. Colonies were recovered at levels of 10 to 10 CFU mL for swine slurry and 10 to 10 CFU g swine feces, approximately 100-fold lower than numbers obtained under anaerobic conditions. Addition of antibiotics to the media resulted in counts that were 60 to 80% of those in control media without added antibiotics. Polymerase chain reaction analyses for antibiotic resistance genes demonstrated the presence of a number of different resistance genes from the isolates. The recoverable aerobic microflora of swine feces and manure contain high percentages of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which include both known and novel genera and species, and a variety of antibiotic resistance genes. Further analyses of these and additional isolates should provide additional information on these organisms as potential reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes in these ecosystems.201627065407