Copper and Zinc Tolerance in Bacteria Isolated from Fresh Produce. - Related Documents




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361301.0000Copper and Zinc Tolerance in Bacteria Isolated from Fresh Produce. The continued agricultural exposure of bacteria to metals such as copper and zinc may result in an increased copper tolerance through the food chain. The aim of this study was to determine the Cu and Zn tolerance of bacteria from fresh produce (cucumber, zucchini, green pepper, tomato, lettuce, vegetable salad, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, green onion, onion, and mango). Isolates (506 aerobic mesophiles) from 12 different food produce products were tested for growth in a range of Cu and Zn concentrations. Selected isolates were identified using 16S rDNA sequencing, and the presence of metal resistance genes was studied using PCR amplification. More than 50% of the isolates had MICs for copper sulfate greater than 16 mM, and more than 40% had MICs greater than 4 mM for zinc chloride. Isolates with high levels of tolerance to Cu and Zn were detected in all the produce products investigated. A selection of 51 isolates with high MICs for both Cu and Zn were identified as belonging to the genera Pseudomonas (28), Enterobacter (7), Serratia (4), Leclercia (1), Bacillus (10), and Paenibacillus (1). A study of the genetic determinants of resistance in the selected gram-negative isolates revealed a high incidence of genes from the pco multicopper oxidase cluster, from the sil cluster involved in Cu and silver resistance, and from the chromate resistance gene chrB. A high percentage carried both pco and sil. The results suggest that Cu and Zn tolerance, as well as metal resistance genes, is widespread in bacteria from fresh produce.201728467185
361410.9998Structure and diversity of arsenic resistant bacteria in an old tin mine area of Thailand. The microbial community structure in Thailand soils contaminated with low and high levels of arsenic was determined by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Band pattern analysis indicated that the bacterial community was not significantly different in the two soils. Phylogenetic analysis obtained by excising and sequencing six bands indicated that the soils were dominated by Arthobacter koreensis and proteobacteria. Two hundred and sixty-two bacterial isolates were obtained from arsenic contaminated soils. The majority of the As resistant isolates were gram-negative bacteria. MIC studies indicated that all of the tested bacteria had greater resistance to arsenate than arsenite. Some strains were capable of growing in medium containing up to 1,500 mg/l arsenite and arsenate. Correlations analysis of resistance patterns of arsenite resistance indicated that the isolated bacteria could be categorized into 13 groups, with a maximum similarity value of 100%. All strains were also evaluated for resistance to eight antibiotics. The antibiotic resistance patterns divided the strains into 100 unique groups, indicating that the strains were very diverse. Isolates from each antibiotic resistance group were characterized in more detail by using the repetitive extragenic palindromic-PCR (rep-PCR) DNA fingerprinting technique with ERIC primers. PCR products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. The genetic relatedness of 100 bacterial fingerprints, determined by using Pearson product moment similarity coefficient, showed that the isolates could be divided into four clusters, with similarity values ranging from 5-99%. While many isolates were genetically diverse, others were clonal in nature Additionally, the arsenic-resistant isolates were examined for the presence of arsenic resistance (ars) genes by using PCR, and 30% of the isolates were found to carry an arsenate reductase encoded by the arsC gene.201020134249
280320.9997Antimicrobial resistance, heavy metal resistance and integron content in bacteria isolated from a South African tilapia aquaculture system. Antibacterial compounds and metals co-select for antimicrobial resistance when bacteria harbour resistance genes towards both types of compounds, facilitating the proliferation and evolution of antimicrobial and heavy metal resistance. Antimicrobial and heavy metal resistance indices of 42 Gram-negative bacteria from a tilapia aquaculture system were determined to identify possible correlations between these phenotypes. Agar dilution assays were carried out to determine susceptibility to cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, chromate and zinc, while susceptibility to 21 antimicrobial agents was investigated by disk diffusion assays. Presence of merA, the mercury resistance gene, was determined by dot-blot hybridizations and PCR. Association of mercury resistance with integrons and transposon Tn21 was also investigated by PCR. Isolates displayed a high frequency of antimicrobial (erythromycin: 100%; ampicillin: 85%; trimethoprim: 78%) and heavy metal (Zn2+: 95%; Cd2+: 91%) resistance. No correlation was established between heavy metal and multiple antibiotic resistance indices. Significant positive correlations were observed between heavy metal resistance profiles, indices, Cu2+ and Cr3+ resistance with erythromycin resistance. Significant positive correlations were observed between merA (24%)/Tn21 (24%) presence and heavy metal resistance profiles and indices; however, significant negative correlations were obtained between integron-associated qacE∆1 (43%) and sulI (26%) gene presence and heavy metal resistance indices. Heavy metal and antimicrobial agents co-select for resistance, with fish-associated, resistant bacteria demonstrating simultaneous heavy metal resistance. Thus, care should be taken when using anti-fouling heavy metals as feed additives in aquaculture facilities.201729160218
280130.9997Principal component analysis exploring the association between antibiotic resistance and heavy metal tolerance of plasmid-bearing sewage wastewater bacteria of clinical relevance. This paper unravels the occurrence of plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance in association with tolerance to heavy metals among clinically relevant bacteria isolated from sewage wastewater. The bacteria isolated were identified following conventional phenotypic and/or molecular methods, and were subjected to multiple-antibiotic resistance (MAR) profiling. The isolates were tested against the heavy metals Hg(2+), Cd(2+), Cr(2+) and Cu(2+). SDS-PAGE and agarose gel electrophoretic analyses were performed, respectively, for the characterization of heavy metal stress protein and R-plasmid among the isolated bacteria. Principal component analysis was applied in determining bacterial resistance to antibiotics and heavy metals. Both lactose-fermenting ( Escherichia coli ) and non-fermenting ( Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas putida ) Gram-negative bacterial strains were procured, and showed MAR phenotypes with respect to three or more antibiotics, along with resistance to the heavy metals Hg(2+), Cd(2+), Cr(2+) and Cu(2+). The Gram-positive bacteria, Enterococcus faecalis , isolated had 'ampicillin-kanamycin-nalidixic acid' resistance. The bacterial isolates had MAR indices of 0.3-0.9, indicating their ( E. faecalis , E. coli , A. baumannii and P. putida ) origin from niches with high antibiotic pollution and human faecal contamination. The Gram-negative bacteria isolated contained a single plasmid (≈54 kb) conferring multiple antibiotic resistance, which was linked to heavy metal tolerance; the SDS-PAGE analysis demonstrated the expression of heavy metal stress proteins (≈59 and ≈10 kDa) in wastewater bacteria with a Cd(2+) stressor. The study results grant an insight into the co-occurrence of antibiotic resistance and heavy metal tolerance among clinically relevant bacteria in sewage wastewater, prompting an intense health impact over antibiotic usage.202032974572
360340.9996Diversity of tet resistance genes in tetracycline-resistant bacteria isolated from a swine lagoon with low antibiotic impact. Tetracycline resistance has been extensively studied and shown to be widespread. A number of previous studies have clearly demonstrated that a variety of tetracycline resistance genes are present in swine fecal material, treatment lagoons, and the environments surrounding concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). The diversity of tetracycline resistance within a swine lagoon located at a CAFO that used only bacitricin methylene disalicylate as an antibiotic was evaluated by screening 85 tetracycline-resistant isolates for the presence of 18 different genes by performing PCR with primers that target tetracycline efflux genes of Gram-negative bacteria and ribosomal protection proteins. In addition, partial 16S rRNA sequences from each of these isolates were sequenced to determine the identity of these isolates. Of the 85 isolates examined, 17 may represent potential novel species based on BLAST results. Greater than 50% of the isolates (48 out of 85) were found to not contain targeted tet efflux genes. Though minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged widely (16 - >256 mg/L), these values did not give an indication of the tet genes present. Ten new genera were identified that contain at least one tet efflux gene. Five other genera possessed tet efflux genes that were not found in these organisms previously. Interestingly, none of the isolates possessed any of the selected ribosomal protection protein genes. Though tetracycline resistance was found in bacteria isolated from a swine CAFO lagoon, it appears that the limited antibiotic use at this CAFO might have impacted the presence and diversity of tetracycline resistance genes.200718059563
280550.9996Multidrug-resistance and toxic metal tolerance of medically important bacteria isolated from an aquaculture system. The use of antimicrobials and toxic metals should be considered carefully in aquaculture and surrounding environments. We aimed to evaluate medically relevant bacteria in an aquaculture system and their susceptibility to antimicrobials and toxic metals. Selective cultures for enterobacteria (ENT), non-fermenting Gram-negative rods (NFR) and Gram-positive cocci (GPC) were obtained from water samples collected in two different year seasons. The isolated bacteria were biochemically identified and antimicrobial and toxic metal susceptibility patterns were determined. Overall, 407 representative strains were recovered. In general, bacteria isolated from fish ponds showed higher multiple antibiotic resistance indices when compared to those isolated from a water-fed canal. Resistance to penicillin and azithromycin was observed more frequently in the GPC group, whereas resistance to ampicillin and ampicillin/sulbactam or gentamicin was observed more frequently in the ENT and NFR groups, respectively. All the isolated bacteria were tolerant to nickel, zinc, chromium and copper at high levels (≥1,024 μg mL(-1)), whereas tolerance to cadmium and mercury varied among the isolated bacteria (2-1,024 μg mL(-1)). Multidrug-resistant bacteria were more frequent and diverse in fish ponds than in the water-fed canal. A positive correlation was observed between antimicrobial resistance and metal tolerance. The data point out the need for water treatment associated with the aquaculture system.201222972388
280260.9996First Description of Various Bacteria Resistant to Heavy Metals and Antibiotics Isolated from Polluted Sites in Tunisia. Environmental bacteria belonging to various families were isolated from polluted water collected from ten different sites in Tunisia. Sites were chosen near industrial and urban areas known for their high degree of pollution. The aim of this study was to investigate cross-resistance between heavy metals (HM), i.e., silver, mercury and copper (Ag, Hg, and Cu), and antibiotics. In an initial screening, 80 isolates were selected on ampicillin, and 39 isolates, retained for further analysis, could grow on a Tris-buffered mineral medium with gluconate as carbon source. Isolates were identified based on their 16S rRNA gene sequence. Results showed the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes, especially all isolates harbored the bla (TEM) gene. Some of them (15.38%) harbored bla (SHV). Moreover, several were even ESBLs and MBLs-producers, which can threaten the human health. On the other hand, 92.30%, 56.41%, and 51.28% of the isolates harbored the heavy metals resistance genes silE, cusA, and merA, respectively. These genes confer resistance to silver, copper, and mercury. A cross-resistance between antibiotics and heavy metals was detected in 97.43% of our isolates.202134335797
360170.9996R factors mediate resistance to mercury, nickel, and cobalt. Fifty-five clinical isolates and laboratory stocks of Escherichia coli and Salmonella were studied for resistance to each of ten metals. Eleven clinical isolates carrying R factors were resistant to mercury, and, in each case, the resistance was mediated by a previously undefined R-factor gene. The gene was phenotypically expressed within 2 to 4 minutes after entry into sensitive bacteria, but the basis for the resistance remains undefined. Fourteen strains, 12 infected with R factors, were resistant to cobalt and nickel, but these resistances were mediated by R-factor genes in only two strains; separate R-factor genes mediated the resistances to nickel and cobalt. These and other results indicate that the genetic composition of R factors is greater than that originally defined.19675337360
286780.9996Enzymatic Activity and Horizontal Gene Transfer of Heavy Metals and Antibiotic Resistant Proteus vulgaris from Hospital Wastewater: An Insight. Globally, the issue of microbial resistance to medicines and heavy metals is getting worse. There are few reports or data available for Proteus vulgaris (P. vulgaris), particularly in India. This investigation intends to reveal the bacteria's ability to transmit genes and their level of resistance as well. The wastewater samples were taken from several hospitals in Lucknow City, India, and examined for the presence of Gram-negative bacteria that were resistant to antibiotics and heavy metals. The microbial population count in different hospital wastewaters decreases with increasing concentrations of metal and antibiotics. Among all the examined metals, Ni and Zn had the highest viable counts, whereas Hg, Cd, and Co had the lowest viable counts. Penicillin, ampicillin, and amoxicillin, among the antibiotics, demonstrated higher viable counts, whereas tetracycline and erythromycin exhibited lower viable counts. The MIC values for the P. vulgaris isolates tested ranged from 50 to 16,00 μg/ml for each metal tested. The multiple metal resistance (MMR) index, which ranged from 0.04 to 0.50, showed diverse heavy metal resistance patterns in all P. vulgaris isolates (in the case of 2-7 metals in various combinations). All of the tested isolates had methicillin resistance, whereas the least number of isolates had ofloxacin, gentamycin, or neomycin resistance. The P. vulgaris isolates displayed multidrug resistance patterns (2-12 drugs) in various antibiotic combinations. The MAR indexes were shown to be between (0.02-0.7). From the total isolates, 98%, 84%, and 80% had urease, gelatinase, and amylase activity, whereas 68% and 56% displayed protease and beta-lactamase activity. Plasmids were present in all the selected resistant isolates and varied in size from 42.5 to 57.0 kb and molecular weight from 27.2 to 37.0 MD. The transmission of the antibiotic/metal resistance genes was evaluated between a total of 7 pairs of isolates. A higher transfer frequency (4.4 × 10(-1)) was observed among antibiotics, although a lower transfer frequency (1.0 × 10(-2)) was observed against metals in both the media from the entire site tested. According to exponential decay, the population of hospital wastewater declined in the following order across all sites: Site II > Site IV > Site III > Site I for antibiotics and site IV > site II > site I >site III for metal. Different metal and antibiotic concentrations have varying effects on the population. The metal-tolerant P. vulgaris from hospital wastewater was studied in the current study had multiple distinct patterns of antibiotic resistance. It could provide cutting-edge methods for treating infectious diseases, which are essential for managing and assessing the risks associated with hospital wastewater, especially in the case of P. vulgaris.202236523753
286690.9996Characterization of tetracycline-resistant bacteria in an urbanizing subtropical watershed. AIMS: The objective of this study was to determine whether varying levels of urbanization influence the dominant bacterial species of mildly resistant (0·03 mmol l(-1) tetracycline) and highly resistant (0·06 mmol l(-1) tetracycline) bacteria in sediment and water. Also, the level of urbanization was further evaluated to determine whether the diversity of tetracycline resistance genes present in the isolates and the capability of transferring their resistance were influenced. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sediment and water samples collected from five sampling sites were plated in triplicate on nutrient agar plates with a mild dose (0·03 mmol l(-1) ) and a high dose (0·06 mmol l(-1) ) of tetracycline. Five colonies from each plate plus an additional five from each triplicate group were randomly selected and isolated on nutrient agar containing 0·03 mmol l(-1) tetracycline (400 isolates). The isolates were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and comparison to GenBank using blast. The isolates were also screened for 15 tetracycline resistance genes using a multiplex PCR assay and their ability to transfer resistance through conjugation experiments using a kanamycin-resistant Escherichia. coli K-12 strain labelled with a green fluorescent protein gene. Results from this study indicate that the dominant resistant organisms in this watershed are Acinetobacter spp., Chryseobacterium spp., Serratia spp., Pseudomonas spp., Aeromonas spp. and E. coli. All of these organisms are Gram negative and are closely related to pathogenic species. A majority of the isolates (66%) were capable of transferring their resistance, and there was a greater incidence of tet resistance transfer with increasing urbanization. Also, it was determined that the dominant resistance genes in the watershed are tet(W) and tet(A). CONCLUSION: Urbanization significantly affected dominant tetracycline-resistant bacteria species, but did not affect dominant resistance genes. There was correlation between increased urbanization with an increase in the ability to transfer tetracycline resistance. This indicates that urban areas may select for bacterial species that are capable of transferring resistance. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: These results indicate that urbanization influences the occurrence of tetracycline-resistant bacteria and the potential for transfer of resistance genes.201323773226
2796100.9996Distribution of specific tetracycline and erythromycin resistance genes in environmental samples assessed by macroarray detection. A macroarray system was developed to screen environmental samples for the presence of specific tetracycline (Tc(R)) and erythromycin (erm(R)) resistance genes. The macroarray was loaded with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons of 23 Tc(R) genes and 10 erm(R) genes. Total bacterial genomic DNA was extracted from soil and animal faecal samples collected from different European countries. Macroarray hybridization was performed under stringent conditions and the results were analysed by fluorescence scanning. Pig herds in Norway, reared without antibiotic use, had a significantly lower incidence of antibiotic resistant bacteria than those reared in other European countries, and organic herds contained lower numbers of resistant bacteria than intensively farmed animals. The relative proportions of the different genes were constant across the different countries. Ribosome protection type Tc(R) genes were the most common resistance genes in animal faecal samples, with the tet(W) gene the most abundant, followed by tet(O) and tet(Q). Different resistance genes were present in soil samples, where erm(V) and erm(E) were the most prevalent followed by the efflux type Tc(R) genes. The macroarray proved a powerful tool to screen DNA extracted from environmental samples to identify the most abundant Tc(R) and erm(R) genes within those tested, avoiding the need for culturing and biased PCR amplification steps.200717298370
5917110.9996Heavy metal co-resistance with antibiotics amongst bacteria isolates from an open dumpsite soil. Heavy metal co-resistance with antibiotics appears to be synergistic in bacterial isolates via similar mechanisms. This synergy has the potential to amplify antibiotics resistance genes in the environment which can be transferred into clinical settings. The aim of this study was to assess the co-resistance of heavy metals with antibiotics in bacteria from dumpsite in addition to physicochemical analysis. Sample collection, physicochemical analysis, and enumeration of total heterotrophic bacteria counts (THBC) were all carried out using standard existing protocols. Identified bacteria isolates were subjected to antibiotics sensitivity test using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion technique and the resulting multidrug resistant (MDR) isolates were subjected to heavy metal tolerance test using agar dilution technique with increasing concentrations (50, 100, 150, 200 and to 250 μg/ml) of our study heavy metals. THBC ranged from 6.68 to 7.92 × 10(5) cfu/g. Out of the 20 isolates subjected to antibiotics sensitivity, 50% (n = 10) showed multiple drug resistance and these were B. subtilis, B. cereus, C. freundii, P. aeruginosa, Enterobacter sp, and E. coli (n = 5). At the lowest concentration (50 μg/ml), all the MDR isolates tolerated all the heavy metals, but at 250 μg/ml, apart from cadmium and lead, all test isolates were 100% sensitive to chromium, vanadium and cobalt. The control isolate was only resistant to cobalt and chromium at 50 μg/ml, but sensitive to other heavy metals at all concentrations The level of co-resistance shown by these isolates is a call for concern.202336820045
5639120.9996Disinfectant and antibiotic resistance of lactic acid bacteria isolated from the food industry. Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are widely used as disinfectant in medical and food environments. There is a growing concern about the increasing incidence of disinfectant-resistant microorganisms from food. Disinfectant-resistant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) may survive disinfection and cause spoilage problems. Moreover, resistant LAB may potentially act as a reservoir for resistance genes. A total number of 320 LAB from food industry and meat were screened for resistance to the QAC benzalkonium chloride (BC). Out of 320 strains, five strains (1.5%) were considered to be resistant and 56 (17.5%) were tolerant to BC. The resistant strains were isolated from food processing equipment after disinfection. The resistant, tolerant, and some sensitive control bacteria were examined for susceptibility to 18 different antibiotics, disinfectants, and dyes using disc agar diffusion test and microdilution method. Little systematic cross-resistance between BC and any of the antimicrobial agents tested were detected except for gentamycin and chlorhexidine. A BC-tolerant strain was much easier to adapt to higher levels of BC as compared to a BC-sensitive strain. No known gram-positive QAC resistance genes (qacA/B, qacC, qacG, and qacH) were detected in the BC-resistant strains. Identification to species level of the BC-resistant isolates was carried out by comparative analysis of 16S-rDNA sequencing. In conclusion, resistance to BC is not frequent in LAB isolated from food and food environments. Resistance may occur after exposure to BC. The BC resistant isolates showed no cross-resistance with other antimicrobial compounds, except for gentamycin and chlorhexidine. Nevertheless, BC-resistant LAB may be isolated after disinfection and may contribute to the dissemination of resistance.200111310806
5937130.9996Association of mutation patterns in GyrA and ParC genes with quinolone resistance levels in lactic acid bacteria. The quinolone resistance of 19 lactic acid bacterial strains belonging to the genera Enterococcus and Lactobacillus isolated from the natural fermented koumiss and yoghurt were investigated. The objective of this study was to determine the quinolone resistance levels and to explore the association of the resistance with the mutation patterns in gyrA and parC genes, as is currently recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Joint Expert Committee in Guidelines for Evaluation of Probiotics in Food for probiotic lactic acid bacteria drug resistance in 2001. The Oxford Cup method and double-tube dilution method were used to determine the quinolone resistance levels of the isolated strains. Generally, all of the 19 strains showed resistance towards norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin when the Oxford cup method was used, whereas the incidence was lower (to norfloxacin 89.5% and to ciprofloxacin 68.4%) when minimum inhibitory concentration breakpoints (CLSI M100-S23) were tested. Furthermore, gene sequencing was conducted on gyrA and parC of topoisomerase II of these isolated strains. The genetic basis for quinolone resistance may be closely related to mutations in gyrA genes as there were 10 mutation sites in amino-acid sequences encoded by gyrA genes in 10 quinolone resistance strains and 14 mutation sites in Enterococcus durans HZ28, whereas no typical mutations were detected in parC genes.201525204345
6099140.9996Culture-dependent and independent studies of microbial diversity in highly copper-contaminated Chilean marine sediments. Cultivation and molecular-based approaches were used to study microbial diversity in two Chilean marine sediments contaminated with high (835 ppm) and very high concentrations of copper (1,533 ppm). The diversity of cultivable bacteria resistant to copper was studied at oxic and anoxic conditions, focusing on sulfate-, thiosulfate-, and iron-reducing bacteria. For both sediments, the cultivable bacteria isolated at oxic conditions were mostly affiliated to the genus Bacillus, while at anoxic conditions the majority of the cultivable bacteria found were closely related to members of the genera Desulfovibrio, Sphingomonas, and Virgibacillus. Copper resistance was between 100 and 400 ppm, with the exception of a strain affiliated to members of the genus Desulfuromonas, which was resistant up to 1,000 ppm of copper. In parallel, cloning and sequencing of 16S rRNA was performed to study the total bacterial diversity in the sediments. A weak correlation was observed between the isolated strains and the 16S rRNA operational taxonomic units detected. The presence of copper resistance genes (copA, cusA, and pcoA) was tested for all the strains isolated; only copA was detected in a few isolates, suggesting that other copper resistance mechanisms could be used by the bacteria in those highly copper-contaminated sediments.201322976340
3701150.9996Genetic Determinants for Metal Tolerance and Antimicrobial Resistance Detected in Bacteria Isolated from Soils of Olive Tree Farms. Copper-derived compounds are often used in olive tree farms. In a previous study, a collection of bacterial strains isolated from olive tree farms were identified and tested for phenotypic antimicrobial resistance and heavy metal tolerance. The aim of this work was to study the genetic determinants of resistance and to evaluate the co-occurrence of metal tolerance and antibiotic resistance genes. Both metal tolerance and antibiotic resistance genes (including beta-lactamase genes) were detected in the bacterial strains from Cu-treated soils. A high percentage of the strains positive for metal tolerance genes also carried antibiotic resistance genes, especially for genes involved in resistances to beta-lactams and tetracycline. Significant associations were detected between genes involved in copper tolerance and genes coding for beta-lactamases or tetracycline resistance mechanisms. A significant association was also detected between zntA (coding for a Zn(II)-translocating P-type ATPase) and tetC genes. In conclusion, bacteria from soils of Cu-treated olive farms may carry both metal tolerance and antibiotic resistance genes. The positive associations detected between metal tolerance genes and antibiotic resistance genes suggests co-selection of such genetic traits by exposure to metals.202032756388
5644160.9996Identification and Characterization of Antibiotic-Resistant, Gram-Negative Bacteria Isolated from Korean Fresh Produce and Agricultural Environment. The consumption of fresh produce and fruits has increased over the last few years as a result of increasing consumer awareness of healthy lifestyles. Several studies have shown that fresh produces and fruits could be potential sources of human pathogens and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In this study, 248 strains were isolated from lettuce and surrounding soil samples, and 202 single isolates selected by the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting method were further characterized. From 202 strains, 184 (91.2%) could be identified based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, while 18 isolates (8.9%) could not be unequivocally identified. A total of 133 (69.3%) and 105 (54.7%) strains showed a resistance phenotype to ampicillin and cefoxitin, respectively, while resistance to gentamicin, tobramycin, ciprofloxacin, and tetracycline occurred only at low incidences. A closer investigation of selected strains by whole genome sequencing showed that seven of the fifteen sequenced strains did not possess any genes related to acquired antibiotic resistance. In addition, only one strain possessed potentially transferable antibiotic resistance genes together with plasmid-related sequences. Therefore, this study indicates that there is a low possibility of transferring antibiotic resistance by potential pathogenic enterobacteria via fresh produce in Korea. However, with regards to public health and consumer safety, fresh produce should nevertheless be continuously monitored to detect the occurrence of foodborne pathogens and to hinder the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes potentially present in these bacteria.202337317216
6113170.9996Metal 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
3396180.9996Extended 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
5290190.9996Antibiotic resistance of bacteria isolated from heavy metal-polluted soils with different land uses. OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the antibiotic and heavy metal tolerance of culturable bacteria isolated from mining waste, pasture, and agricultural soils containing different levels of heavy metals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The populations of total culturable bacteria, and heavy metal- and antibiotic-tolerant bacteria in the soils were enumerated on nutrient agar, nutrient agar amended with metals, and Mueller-Hinton agar amended with antibiotics, respectively. The multiple antibiotic resistance index, and patterns of antibiotic resistance and heavy metal-antibiotic co-resistance were determined for 237 isolates. RESULTS: Among all the samples, those of the tailings of mines with higher levels of heavy metals had the lowest number of bacteria, but a relatively higher abundance of heavy metal- and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. A high degree of resistance was observed for ampicillin and amoxicillin in the isolates from all soils. The agricultural soil isolates had a high prevalence of resistance towards vancomycin, tetracycline, and streptomycin. Among all the tested antibiotics, gentamicin was the most potent. The most frequent pattern of multiple antibiotic resistance in the isolates from agricultural soils was amoxicillin, ampicillin, streptomycin, vancomycin, tetracycline, and doxycycline. The percentage of isolates with multiple antibiotic resistance was considerably higher in the agricultural soils than in the mining waste soils. A high rate of co-resistance towards Hg and antibiotics was observed among the gram-negative isolates, and towards Zn, Ni, Hg, and the beta-lactam antibiotics among the gram-positive isolates. CONCLUSIONS: The higher percentage of isolates with multiple antibiotic resistance in the agricultural soils that in the mining waste soils may be related to (1) the level of soil heavy metals, (2) the population and diversity of soil bacteria, (3) the application of manures, and (4) other factors affecting gene transfer between bacteria.201728732786