# | Rank | Similarity | Title + Abs. | Year | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 4172 | 0 | 1.0000 | Variation on a theme; an overview of the Tn916/Tn1545 family of mobile genetic elements in the oral and nasopharyngeal streptococci. The oral and nasopharyngeal streptococci are a major part of the normal microbiota in humans. Most human associated streptococci are considered commensals, however, a small number of them are pathogenic, causing a wide range of diseases including oral infections such as dental caries and periodontitis and diseases at other body sites including sinusitis and endocarditis, and in the case of Streptococcus pneumoniae, meningitis. Both phenotypic and sequence based studies have shown that the human associated streptococci from the mouth and nasopharynx harbor a large number of antibiotic resistance genes and these are often located on mobile genetic elements (MGEs) known as conjugative transposons or integrative and conjugative elements of the Tn916/Tn1545 family. These MGEs are responsible for the spread of the resistance genes between streptococci and also between streptococci and other bacteria. In this review we describe the resistances conferred by, and the genetic variations between the many different Tn916-like elements found in recent studies of oral and nasopharyngeal streptococci and show that Tn916-like elements are important mediators of antibiotic resistance genes within this genus. We will also discuss the role of the oral environment and how this is conducive to the transfer of these elements and discuss the contribution of both transformation and conjugation on the transfer and evolution of these elements in different streptococci. | 2014 | 25368607 |
| 4174 | 1 | 0.9999 | The role of conjugative transposons in spreading antibiotic resistance between bacteria that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract. There is huge potential for genetic exchange to occur within the dense, diverse anaerobic microbial population inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of humans and animals. However, the incidence of conjugative transposons (CTns) and the antibiotic resistance genes they carry has not been well studied among this population. Since any incoming bacteria, including pathogens, can access this reservoir of genes, this oversight would appear to be an important one. Recent evidence has shown that anaerobic bacteria native to the rumen or hindgut harbour both novel antibiotic resistance genes and novel conjugative transposons. These CTns, and previously characterized CTns, can be transferred to a wide range of commensal bacteria under laboratory and in vivo conditions. The main evidence that gene transfer occurs widely in vivo between GIT bacteria, and between GIT bacteria and pathogenic bacteria, is that identical resistance genes are present in diverse bacterial species from different hosts. | 2002 | 12568333 |
| 4134 | 2 | 0.9999 | Plasmid-Mediated Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococci and Other Firmicutes. In staphylococci and other Firmicutes, resistance to numerous classes of antimicrobial agents, which are commonly used in human and veterinary medicine, is mediated by genes that are associated with mobile genetic elements. The gene products of some of these antimicrobial resistance genes confer resistance to only specific members of a certain class of antimicrobial agents, whereas others confer resistance to the entire class or even to members of different classes of antimicrobial agents. The resistance mechanisms specified by the resistance genes fall into any of three major categories: active efflux, enzymatic inactivation, and modification/replacement/protection of the target sites of the antimicrobial agents. Among the mobile genetic elements that carry such resistance genes, plasmids play an important role as carriers of primarily plasmid-borne resistance genes, but also as vectors for nonconjugative and conjugative transposons that harbor resistance genes. Plasmids can be exchanged by horizontal gene transfer between members of the same species but also between bacteria belonging to different species and genera. Plasmids are highly flexible elements, and various mechanisms exist by which plasmids can recombine, form cointegrates, or become integrated in part or in toto into the chromosomal DNA or into other plasmids. As such, plasmids play a key role in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes within the gene pool to which staphylococci and other Firmicutes have access. This chapter is intended to provide an overview of the current knowledge of plasmid-mediated antimicrobial resistance in staphylococci and other Firmicutes. | 2014 | 26104453 |
| 4132 | 3 | 0.9998 | Mobilization of transposons : rationale and techniques for detection. The ability to share genetic information with other bacteria represents one of the most important adaptive mechanisms available to bacteria pathogenic for humans. The exchange of many different types of genetic information appears to occur frequently and exchange of determinants responsible for antimicrobial resistance is the best studied, since the movements of resistance determinants are easy to follow and the clinical importance of resistance dissemination is so great. The most common vehicles by which bacteria exchange resistance determinants are plasmids and transposons. | 2001 | 21374427 |
| 4165 | 4 | 0.9998 | A modular master on the move: the Tn916 family of mobile genetic elements. The Tn916 family is a group of mobile genetic elements that are widespread among many commensal and pathogenic bacteria. These elements are found primarily, but not exclusively, in the Firmicutes. They are integrated into the bacterial genome and are capable of conjugative transfer to a new host and, often, intracellular transposition to a different genomic site - hence their name: 'conjugative transposons', or 'integrative conjugative elements'. An increasing variety of Tn916 relatives are being reported from different bacteria, harbouring genes coding for resistance to various antibiotics and the potential to encode other functions, such as lantibiotic immunity. This family of mobile genetic elements has an extraordinary ability to acquire accessory genes, making them important vectors in the dissemination of various traits among environmental, commensal and clinical bacteria. These elements are also responsible for genome rearrangements, providing considerable raw material on which natural selection can act. Therefore, the study of this family of mobile genetic elements is essential for a better understanding and control of the current rise of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria. | 2009 | 19464182 |
| 4175 | 5 | 0.9998 | Resistance gene transfer in anaerobes: new insights, new problems. Investigations of antibiotic-resistance gene transfer elements in Bacteroides species have generated some new insights into how bacteria transfer resistance genes and what environmental conditions foster gene transfer. Integrated gene transfer elements, called conjugative transposons, appear to be responsible for much of the transfer of resistance genes among Bacteroides species. Conjugative transposons not only transfer themselves but also mobilize coresident plasmids and excise and mobilize unlinked integrated elements. Less is known about resistance gene transfer elements of the gram-positive anaerobes, but there are some indications that similar elements may be found in them as well. An unusual feature of the Bacteroides conjugative transposons is that transfer of many of them is stimulated considerably by low concentrations of antibiotics. Thus, antibiotics not only select for resistant strains but also can stimulate transfer of the resistance gene in the first place. This finding raises questions about whether use of low-dose tetracycline therapy may have a greater effect on the resident microflora than had been previously thought. Finally, investigations of resistance genes in Bacteroides species and other genera of bacteria have begun to provide evidence that the resident microflora of the human body does indeed act as a reservoir for resistance genes, which may be acquired from and passed on the transient colonizers of the site. | 1996 | 8953105 |
| 4173 | 6 | 0.9998 | Evidence for natural horizontal transfer of tetQ between bacteria that normally colonize humans and bacteria that normally colonize livestock. Though numerous studies have shown that gene transfer occurs between distantly related bacterial genera under laboratory conditions, the frequency and breadth of horizontal transfer events in nature remain unknown. Previous evidence for natural intergeneric transfers came from studies of genes in human pathogens, bacteria that colonize the same host. We present evidence that natural transfer of a tetracycline resistance gene, tetQ, has occurred between bacterial genera that normally colonize different hosts. A DNA sequence comparative approach was taken to examine the extent of horizontal tetQ dissemination between species of Bacteroides, the predominant genus of the human colonic microflora, and between species of Bacteroides and of the distantly related genus Prevotella, a predominant genus of the microflora of the rumens and intestinal tracts of farm animals. Virtually identical tetQ sequences were found in a number of isolate pairs differing in taxonomy and geographic origin, indicating that extensive natural gene transmission has occurred. Among the exchange events indicated by the evidence was the very recent transfer of an allele of tetQ usually found in Prevotella spp. to a Bacteroides fragilis strain. | 1994 | 7944364 |
| 4038 | 7 | 0.9998 | Environmental macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin and tetracycline resistant bacteria. Bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics by mutation, transformation, and/or acquisition of new genes which are normally associated with mobile elements (plasmids, transposons, and integrons). Mobile elements are the main driving force in horizontal gene transfer between strains, species, and genera and are responsible for the rapid spread of particular elements throughout a bacterial community and between ecosystems. Today, antibiotic resistant bacteria are widely distributed throughout the world and have even been isolated from environments that are relatively untouched by human civilization. In this review macrolides, lincosamides, streptogramins, and tetracycline resistance genes and bacteria will be discussed with an emphasis on the resistance genes which are unique to environmental bacteria which are defined for this review as species and genera that are primarily found outside of humans and animals. | 2011 | 21833302 |
| 4044 | 8 | 0.9998 | Antibiotic resistance in food-related bacteria--a result of interfering with the global web of bacterial genetics. A series of antibiotic resistance genes have been sequenced and found to be identical or nearly identical in various ecological environments. Similarly, genetic vectors responsible for assembly and mobility of antibiotic resistance genes, such as transposons, integrons and R plasmids of similar or identical type are also widespread in various niches of the environment. Many zoonotic bacteria carry antibiotic resistance genes directly from different food-producing environments to the human being. These circumstances may have a major impact on the degree for success in treating infectious diseases in man. Several recent examples demonstrate that use of antibiotics in all parts of the food production chain contributes to the increasing level of antibiotic resistance among the food-borne pathogenic bacteria. Modern industrialized food production adds extra emphasis on lowering the use of antibiotics in all parts of agriculture, husbandry and fish farming because these food products are distributed to very large numbers of humans compared to more traditional smaller scale niche production. | 2002 | 12222637 |
| 4255 | 9 | 0.9998 | Oral biofilms: a reservoir of transferable, bacterial, antimicrobial resistance. Oral microbes are responsible for dental caries and periodontal diseases and have also been implicated in a range of other diseases beyond the oral cavity. These bacteria live primarily as complex, polymicrobial biofilms commonly called dental plaque. Cells growing within a biofilm often exhibit altered phenotypes, such as increased antibiotic resistance. The stable structural properties and close proximity of the bacterial cells within the biofilm appears to be an excellent environment for horizontal gene transfer, which can lead to the spread of antibiotic resistance genes amongst the biofilm inhabitants. This article will present an overview of the different types and amount of resistance to antibiotics that have been found in the human oral microbiota and will discuss the oral inhabitants' role as a reservoir of antimicrobial resistance genes. In addition, data on the genetic support for these resistance genes will be detailed and the evidence for horizontal gene transfer reviewed, demonstrating that the bacteria inhabiting the oral cavity are a reservoir of transferable antibiotic resistance. | 2010 | 21133668 |
| 4045 | 10 | 0.9998 | Bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents and its impact on veterinary and human medicine. BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance has become a major challenge in veterinary medicine, particularly in the context of bacterial pathogens that play a role in both humans and animals. OBJECTIVES: This review serves as an update on acquired resistance mechanisms in bacterial pathogens of human and animal origin, including examples of transfer of resistant pathogens between hosts and of resistance genes between bacteria. RESULTS: Acquired resistance is based on resistance-mediating mutations or on mobile resistance genes. Although mutations are transferred vertically, mobile resistance genes are also transferred horizontally (by transformation, transduction or conjugation/mobilization), contributing to the dissemination of resistance. Mobile genes specifying any of the three major resistance mechanisms - enzymatic inactivation, reduced intracellular accumulation or modification of the cellular target sites - have been found in a variety of bacteria that may be isolated from animals. Such resistance genes are associated with plasmids, transposons, gene cassettes, integrative and conjugative elements or other mobile elements. Bacteria, including zoonotic pathogens, can be exchanged between animals and humans mainly via direct contact, but also via dust, aerosols or foods. Proof of the direction of transfer of resistant bacteria can be difficult and depends on the location of resistance genes or mutations in the chromosomal DNA or on a mobile element. CONCLUSION: The wide variety in resistance and resistance transfer mechanisms will continue to ensure the success of bacterial pathogens in the future. Our strategies to counteract resistance and preserve the efficacy of antimicrobial agents need to be equally diverse and resourceful. | 2017 | 27581211 |
| 4423 | 11 | 0.9998 | Inactivation of antibiotics and the dissemination of resistance genes. The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria is a phenomenon of concern to the clinician and the pharmaceutical industry, as it is the major cause of failure in the treatment of infectious diseases. The most common mechanism of resistance in pathogenic bacteria to antibiotics of the aminoglycoside, beta-lactam (penicillins and cephalosporins), and chloramphenicol types involves the enzymic inactivation of the antibiotic by hydrolysis or by formation of inactive derivatives. Such resistance determinants most probably were acquired by pathogenic bacteria from a pool of resistance genes in other microbial genera, including antibiotic-producing organisms. The resistance gene sequences were subsequently integrated by site-specific recombination into several classes of naturally occurring gene expression cassettes (typically "integrons") and disseminated within the microbial population by a variety of gene transfer mechanisms. Although bacterial conjugation once was believed to be restricted in host range, it now appears that this mechanism of transfer permits genetic exchange between many different bacterial genera in nature. | 1994 | 8153624 |
| 9836 | 12 | 0.9998 | Staphylococcus aureus mobile genetic elements. Among the bacteria groups, most of them are known to be beneficial to human being whereas only a minority is being recognized as harmful. The pathogenicity of bacteria is due, in part, to their rapid adaptation in the presence of selective pressures exerted by the human host. In addition, through their genomes, bacteria are subject to mutations, various rearrangements or horizontal gene transfer among and/or within bacterial species. Bacteria's essential metabolic functions are generally encoding by the core genes. Apart of the core genes, there are several number of mobile genetic elements (MGE) acquired by horizontal gene transfer that might be beneficial under certain environmental conditions. These MGE namely bacteriophages, transposons, plasmids, and pathogenicity islands represent about 15% Staphylococcus aureus genomes. The acquisition of most of the MGE is made by horizontal genomic islands (GEI), recognized as discrete DNA segments between closely related strains, transfer. The GEI contributes to the wide spread of microorganisms with an important effect on their genome plasticity and evolution. The GEI are also involve in the antibiotics resistance and virulence genes dissemination. In this review, we summarize the mobile genetic elements of S. aureus. | 2014 | 24728610 |
| 3834 | 13 | 0.9998 | What antimicrobial resistance has taught us about horizontal gene transfer. Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) has been responsible for the dissemination of numerous antimicrobial-resistance determinants throughout diverse bacterial species. The rapid and broad dissemination of resistance determinants by HGT, and subsequent selection for resistance imposed by the use of antimicrobials, threatens to undermine the usefulness of antimicrobials. However, vigilant surveillance of the emerging antimicrobial resistance in clinical settings and subsequent studies of resistant isolates create a powerful system for studying HGT and detecting rare events. Two of the most closely monitored phenotypes are resistance to beta-lactams and resistance to fluoroquinolones. Studies of resistance to these antimicrobials have revealed that (1) transformation occurs between different species of bacteria including some recipient species that were not previously known to be competent for natural transformation; (2) transduction may be playing an important role in generating novel methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains, although the details of transferring the SCCmec element are not yet fully understood; (3) Resistance genes are probably moving to plasmids from chromosomes more rapidly than in the past; and (4) Resistance genes are aggregating upon plasmids. The linkage of numerous resistance genes on individual plasmids may underlie the persistence of resistance to specific antimicrobials even when use of those antimicrobials is discontinued. Further studies of HGT and methods for controlling HGT may be necessary to maintain the usefulness of antimicrobials. | 2009 | 19271198 |
| 4417 | 14 | 0.9998 | Genetic mobility and distribution of tetracycline resistance determinants. Since 1953, tetracycline-resistant bacteria have been found increasingly in humans, animals, food and the environment. Tetracycline resistance is normally due to the acquisition of new genes and is primarily due to either energy-dependent efflux of tetracycline or protection of the ribosomes from its action. Gram-negative efflux genes are frequently associated with conjugative plasmids, whereas Gram-positive efflux genes are often found on small mobilizable plasmids or in the chromosome. The ribosomal protection genes are generally associated with conjugative transposons which have a preference for the chromosome. Recently, tetracycline resistance genes have been found in the genera Mycobacterium, Nocardia, Streptomyces and Treponema. The Tet M determinant codes for a ribosomal protection protein which can be found in Gram-positive, Gram-negative, cell-wall-free, aerobic, anaerobic, pathogenic, opportunistic and normal flora species. This promiscuous nature may be correlated with its location on a conjugative transposon and its ability to cross most biochemical and physical barriers found in bacteria. The Tet B efflux determinant is unlike other efflux gene products because it confers resistance to tetracycline, doxycycline and minocycline and has the widest host range of all Gram-negative efflux determinants. We have hypothesized that mobility and the environment of the bacteria may help influence the ultimate host range of specific tet genes. If we are to reverse the trend towards increasingly antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria, we will need to change how antibiotics are used in both human and animal health as well as food production. | 1997 | 9189643 |
| 4145 | 15 | 0.9998 | Antimicrobial Resistance among Staphylococci of Animal Origin. Antimicrobial resistance among staphylococci of animal origin is based on a wide variety of resistance genes. These genes mediate resistance to many classes of antimicrobial agents approved for use in animals, such as penicillins, cephalosporins, tetracyclines, macrolides, lincosamides, phenicols, aminoglycosides, aminocyclitols, pleuromutilins, and diaminopyrimidines. In addition, numerous mutations have been identified that confer resistance to specific antimicrobial agents, such as ansamycins and fluoroquinolones. The gene products of some of these resistance genes confer resistance to only specific members of a class of antimicrobial agents, whereas others confer resistance to the entire class or even to members of different classes of antimicrobial agents, including agents approved solely for human use. The resistance genes code for all three major resistance mechanisms: enzymatic inactivation, active efflux, and protection/modification/replacement of the cellular target sites of the antimicrobial agents. Mobile genetic elements, in particular plasmids and transposons, play a major role as carriers of antimicrobial resistance genes in animal staphylococci. They facilitate not only the exchange of resistance genes among members of the same and/or different staphylococcal species, but also between staphylococci and other Gram-positive bacteria. The observation that plasmids of staphylococci often harbor more than one resistance gene points toward coselection and persistence of resistance genes even without direct selective pressure by a specific antimicrobial agent. This chapter provides an overview of the resistance genes and resistance-mediating mutations known to occur in staphylococci of animal origin. | 2018 | 29992898 |
| 4043 | 16 | 0.9998 | Mobile antibiotic resistance - the spread of genes determining the resistance of bacteria through food products. In recent years, more and more antibiotics have become ineffective in the treatment of bacterial nfections. The acquisition of antibiotic resistance by bacteria is associated with circulation of genes in the environment. Determinants of antibiotic resistance may be transferred to pathogenic bacteria. It has been shown that conjugation is one of the key mechanisms responsible for spread of antibiotic resistance genes, which is highly efficient and allows the barrier to restrictions and modifications to be avoided. Some conjugative modules enable the transfer of plasmids even between phylogenetically distant bacterial species. Many scientific reports indicate that food is one of the main reservoirs of these genes. Antibiotic resistance genes have been identified in meat products, milk, fruits and vegetables. The reason for such a wide spread of antibiotic resistance genes is the overuse of antibiotics by breeders of plants and animals, as well as by horizontal gene transfer. It was shown, that resistance determinants located on mobile genetic elements, which are isolated from food products, can easily be transferred to another niche. The antibiotic resistance genes have been in the environment for 30 000 years. Their removal from food products is not possible, but the risks associated with the emergence of multiresistant pathogenic strains are very large. The only option is to control the emergence, selection and spread of these genes. Therefore measures are sought to prevent horizontal transfer of genes. Promising concepts involve the combination of developmental biology, evolution and ecology in the fight against the spread of antibiotic resistance. | 2016 | 27383577 |
| 4151 | 17 | 0.9998 | Evolutionary relationships among genes for antibiotic resistance. The genes that determine resistance to antibiotics are commonly found encoded by extrachromosomal elements in bacteria. These were described first in Enterobacteriaceae and subsequently in a variety of other genera; their spread is associated with the increased use of antibiotics in human and animal medicine. Antibiotic-resistance genes that determine the production of enzymes which modify (detoxify) the antibiotics have been detected in antibiotic-producing organisms. It has been suggested that the producing strains provided the source of antibiotic-resistance genes that were then 'picked-up' by recombination. Recent studies of the nucleotide sequence of certain antibiotic-resistance genes indicate regions of strong homology in the encoded proteins. The implications of these similarities are discussed. | 1984 | 6559117 |
| 4222 | 18 | 0.9998 | Conjugal Transfer of Antibiotic Resistances in Lactobacillus spp. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are a heterogeneous group of bacteria which are Gram-positive, facultative anaerobes and non-motile, non-spore forming, with varied shapes from cocci to coccobacilli and bacilli. Lactobacillus is the largest and most widely used bacterial species amongst LAB in fermented foods and beverages. The genus is a common member of human gut microbiome. Several species are known to provide benefits to the human gut via synergistic interactions with the gut microbiome and their ability to survive the gut environment. This ability to confer positive health effects provide them a status of generally recognized as safe (GRAS) microorganisms. Due to their various beneficial characteristics, other factors such as their resistance acquisition were overlooked. Overuse of antibiotics has made certain bacteria develop resistance against these drugs. Antibiotic resistance was found to be acquired mainly through conjugation which is a type of lateral gene transfer. Several in vitro methods of conjugation have been discussed previously depending on their success to transfer resistance. In this review, we have addressed methods that are employed to study the transfer of resistance genes using the conjugation phenomenon in lactobacilli. | 2021 | 34076710 |
| 4147 | 19 | 0.9998 | Lack of evidence that DNA in antibiotic preparations is a source of antibiotic resistance genes in bacteria from animal or human sources. Although DNA encoding antibiotic resistance has been discovered in antibiotic preparations, its significance for the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria is unknown. No phylogenetic evidence was obtained for recent horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes from antibiotic-producing organisms to bacteria from human or animal sources. | 2004 | 15273135 |