Identification and characterization of tetracycline resistance in Lactococcus lactis isolated from Polish raw milk and fermented artisanal products. - Related Documents




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601101.0000Identification and characterization of tetracycline resistance in Lactococcus lactis isolated from Polish raw milk and fermented artisanal products. To assess the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) in Polish raw milk and fermented artisanal products, a collection comprising 500 isolates from these products was screened. Among these isolates, six strains (IBB28, IBB160, IBB161, IBB224, IBB477 and IBB487) resistant to tetracycline were identified. The strains showing atypical tetracycline resistance were classified as Lactococcus lactis: three of them were identified as L. lactis subsp. cremoris (IBB224, IBB477 and IBB487) and the other three (IBB28, IBB160, IBB161) were identified as L. lactis subsp. lactis. The mechanism involving Ribosomal Protection Proteins (RPP) was identified as responsible for tetracycline resistance. Three of the tested strains (IBB28, IBB160 and IBB224) had genes encoding the TetS protein, whereas the remaining three (IBB161, IBB477 and IBB487) expressed TetM. The results also demonstrated that the genes encoding these proteins were located on genetic mobile elements. The tet(S) gene was found to be located on plasmids, whereas tet(M) was found within the Tn916 transposon.201526204235
586310.9970Molecular characterization of tet(M) genes in Lactobacillus isolates from different types of fermented dry sausage. The likelihood that products prepared from raw meat and milk may act as vehicles for antibiotic-resistant bacteria is currently of great concern in food safety issues. In this study, a collection of 94 tetracycline-resistant (Tc(r)) lactic acid bacteria recovered from nine different fermented dry sausage types were subjected to a polyphasic molecular study with the aim of characterizing the host organisms and the tet genes, conferring tetracycline resistance, that they carry. With the (GTG)(5)-PCR DNA fingerprinting technique, the Tc(r) lactic acid bacterial isolates were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum, L. sakei subsp. carnosus, L. sakei subsp. sakei, L. curvatus, and L. alimentarius and typed to the intraspecies level. For a selection of 24 Tc(r) lactic acid bacterial isolates displaying unique (GTG)(5)-PCR fingerprints, tet genes were determined by means of PCR, and only tet(M) was detected. Restriction enzyme analysis with AccI and ScaI revealed two different tet(M) allele types. This grouping was confirmed by partial sequencing of the tet(M) open reading frame, which indicated that the two allele types displayed high sequence similarities (>99.6%) with tet(M) genes previously reported in Staphylococcus aureus MRSA 101 and in Neisseria meningitidis, respectively. Southern hybridization with plasmid profiles revealed that the isolates contained tet(M)-carrying plasmids. In addition to the tet(M) gene, one isolate also contained an erm(B) gene on a different plasmid from the one encoding the tetracycline resistance. Furthermore, it was also shown by PCR that the tet(M) genes were not located on transposons of the Tn916/Tn1545 family. To our knowledge, this is the first detailed molecular study demonstrating that taxonomically and genotypically diverse Lactobacillus strains from different types of fermented meat products can be a host for plasmid-borne tet genes.200312571056
586420.9970Characterization of the tetracycline resistance plasmid pMD5057 from Lactobacillus plantarum 5057 reveals a composite structure. The 10,877bp tetracycline resistance plasmid pMD5057 from Lactobacillus plantarum 5057 was completely sequenced. The sequence revealed a composite structure containing DNA from up to four different sources. The replication region had homology to other plasmids of lactic acid bacteria while the tetracycline resistance region, containing a tet(M) gene, had high homology to sequences from Clostridium perfringens and Staphylococcus aureus. Within the tetracycline resistance region a Lactobacillus IS-element was found. The remaining part of the plasmid contained three open reading frames with unknown functions. The composite structure with several truncated genes suggests a recent assembly of the plasmid. This is the first sequence of an antibiotic resistance plasmid isolated from L. plantarum.200212383727
290030.9970Detection and sequencing of plasmid encoded tetracycline resistance determinants (tetA and tetB) from food-borne Bacillus cereus isolates. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the detection and sequencing of plasmid encoded tetracycline resistance genes (tetA and tetB) from food-borne and standard strains of Bacillus cereus (B. cereus). METHODS: A PCR was carried out to detect the tetracycline resistance genes (tetA and tetB) in food-borne B. cereus strains and the amplified products were sequenced. RESULTS: The phenotypic resistance against tetracycline was observed in 39 of the 118 food-borne isolates and two reference strains (MTCC 430 and MTCC 1307) of B. cereus. Among the phenotypically resistant isolates, tetA was detected in 36 food-borne isolates and two reference strains (MTCC 430 and MTCC 1307), whereas, tetB was detected in 12 food-borne isolates and MTCC 1307 strain. CONCLUSIONS: A close association was therefore found between phenotypic resistance against tetracycline and presence of tetracycline resistance genes. The tetA and tetB gene fragments were amplified, purified and sequenced. The gene sequences of the isolates studied herein were found similar to tetA and tetB gene sequences of other bacteria available in NCBI. The occurrence of tetA and tetB genes in B. cereus indicate the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance determinants from other bacteria into B. cereus. The transfer of these resistant determinants to other potentially pathogenic bacteria may be a matter of great concern.201222805722
585840.9970Distribution and diversity of tetracycline resistance genes encoding ribosomal protection proteins in Mekong river sediments in Vietnam. We investigated the distribution and diversity of tetracycline resistance genes encoding ribosomal protection proteins (RPPs) in river and channel sediments of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. The sediment samples were taken from nine sites in the Hau River in southern Vietnam and from 1 site in a channel in Can Tho City in May 2004 using an Ekman-Birge sediment surface sampler. The RPP genes were amplified using PCR with DNA templates obtained directly from the sediments. The tet(M), tet(S), and tet(W) genes were detected by PCR in most sediment samples. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of these genes and sequencing of the resulting bands showed that tet(S) and tet(W) had only one genotype each, but that tet(M) had at least two, which were tentatively called type 1 and type 2. Type 1 tet(M) was identical to the gene encoded in various plasmids and transposons of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, and type 2tet(M) was similar to the gene encoded in Tn1545 of Enterococcus faecalis (99% identity, 170 bp/171 bp). This study showed that various RPP genes were widely distributed in the river and channel sediments of the Mekong Delta.200717214735
586650.9969tet(L)-mediated tetracycline resistance in bovine Mannheimia and Pasteurella isolates. OBJECTIVES: Tetracycline-resistant Mannheimia and Pasteurella isolates, which were negative for the tetracycline resistance genes (tet) commonly detected among these bacteria, were investigated for other tet genes present and their location. METHODS: Mannheimia and Pasteurella isolates were investigated for their MICs of tetracycline and their plasmid content. Identification of tet genes was achieved by PCR. Plasmids mediating tetracycline resistance were identified by transformation and hybridization experiments. Plasmid pCCK3259 from Mannheimia haemolytica was sequenced completely and analysed for its structure and organization. RESULTS: All tetracycline-resistant isolates carried the gene tet(L) either on plasmids or on the chromosome. Two M. haemolytica isolates and one Mannheimia glucosida isolate harboured a common 5.3 kb tet(L) plasmid, designated pCCK3259. This plasmid was similar to the tet(B)-carrying tetracycline resistance plasmid pHS-Tet from Haemophilus parasuis and the streptomycin/spectinomycin resistance plasmid pCCK647 from Pasteurella multocida in the parts coding for mobilization functions. The tet(L) gene was closely related to that of the Geobacillus stearothermophilus plasmid pTB19. However, the translational attenuator responsible for the tetracycline-inducible expression of tet(L) was missing in plasmid pCCK3259. A recombination site was identified downstream of tet(L), which might explain the integration of the tet(L) gene region into a basic pCCK3259 replicon. CONCLUSION: A tet(L) gene was shown for the first time to be responsible for tetracycline resistance in Mannheimia and Pasteurella isolates. This report demonstrates a lateral transfer of a tetracycline efflux gene in Gram-negative bovine respiratory tract pathogens, probably originating from Gram-positive bacteria.200515972309
585960.9969Isolation of tetracycline-resistant Megasphaera elsdenii strains with novel mosaic gene combinations of tet(O) and tet(W) from swine. Anaerobic bacteria insensitive to chlortetracycline (64 to 256 microg/ml) were isolated from cecal contents and cecal tissues of swine fed or not fed chlortetracycline. A nutritionally complex, rumen fluid-based medium was used for culturing the bacteria. Eight of 84 isolates from seven different animals were identified as Megasphaera elsdenii strains based on their large-coccus morphology, rapid growth on lactate, and 16S ribosomal DNA sequence similarities with M. elsdenii LC-1(T). All eight strains had tetracycline MICs of between 128 and 256 microg/ml. Based on PCR assays differentiating 14 tet classes, the strains gave a positive reaction for the tet(O) gene. By contrast, three ruminant M. elsdenii strains recovered from 30-year-old culture stocks had tetracycline MICs of 4 microg/ml and did not contain tet genes. The tet genes of two tetracycline-resistant M. elsdenii strains were amplified and cloned. Both genes bestowed tetracycline resistance (MIC = 32 to 64 microg/ml) on recombinant Escherichia coli strains. Sequence analysis revealed that the M. elsdenii genes represent two different mosaic genes formed by interclass (double-crossover) recombination events involving tet(O) and tet(W). One or the other genotype was present in each of the eight tetracycline-resistant M. elsdenii strains isolated in these studies. These findings suggest a role for commensal bacteria not only in the preservation and dissemination of antibiotic resistance in the intestinal tract but also in the evolution of resistance.200312839756
586170.9969Distribution of genes conferring combined resistance to tetracycline and minocycline among group B streptococcal isolates from humans and various animals. Forty-nine tetracycline and minocycline resistant streptococci of serological group B isolated from humans, cattle, pigs and nutrias were investigated for the presence of genes conferring this combined resistance. Southern blot hybridization of EcoRI-digested chromosomal DNA of the bacteria revealed for 39 of the cultures a hybridization signal with tet(M), for four of the cultures a hybridization signal with tet(O) and for none of the cultures a hybridization signal with the tet(Q) gene probe. The restriction endonuclease digested and blotted DNA of six tetracycline and minocycline resistant group B streptococci did not hybridize with any of the available gene probes. The tet(M) gene probes recognized complementary sequences of EcoRI fragments of approximately 10.5 kb and 21.5 kb, the tet(O) gene probe hybridized with fragments of approximately 19 kb. The hybridization of the tet(M) gene probe in two different patterns appeared to be related to the origin of the cultures.19947727901
539480.9969Antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria isolated from pasteurized milk and characterization of macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin resistance genes. The presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in pasteurized milk was detected by plating 18 milk samples on selective media containing beta-lactams, macrolides, or a glycopeptide. Most samples contained gram-positive bacteria that grew on agar plates containing oxacillin, erythromycin, and/or spiramycin. The disk-diffusion method confirmed resistance to erythromycin and/or spiramycin in 86 and 65% of the coryneform bacteria and Micrococcaceae tested, respectively. PCR and sequence analysis revealed the presence of an ermC gene in 2 of the 25 Micrococcaceae strains investigated for their resistance to erythromycin and/or spiramycin. None of the 14 corynebacteria strains resistant to erythromycin and/or spiramycin harbored the erm(X) gene. No gene transfer could be demonstrated between the two erm(C) staphylococcal isolates and recipient strains of Enterococcus faecalis JH2-2 or Staphylococcus aureus 80CR5.200515726980
586890.9968Evaluation of plasmid content and tetracycline resistance conjugative transfer in Enterococcus italicus strains of dairy origin. Five Enterococcus italicus strains harbouring tet genes responsible for the tetracycline resistance were subjected to plasmid profile determination studies. For four strains tested the profiles showed between three and six plasmid bands, the size of which ranged between 1.6 and 18.5 kb. Southern hybridization experiments associated tetS and tetK genes with chromosomal DNA in all strains and tetM gene with plasmids of around the same size (18.5 kb) in two of the tested strains. The ability of the new species to transfer tetM gene was studied by transfer experiments with the tetracycline-susceptible recipient strains E. faecalis JH2-2 and OG1RF; mobilization experiments were performed with E. faecalis JH 2-2 harbouring the conjugative plasmid pIP501as helper plasmid. The results obtained show that the new enterococcal species was able to acquire antibiotic resistance by conjugation, but not to transfer its plasmids to other bacteria. Further PCR and hybridization experiments carried out to assess the presence of mobilization sequences also suggest that the tetM plasmid from E. italicus is a non-mobilizable plasmid.200919484299
5850100.9968Gram-positive merA gene in gram-negative oral and urine bacteria. Clinical mercury resistant (Hg(r)) Gram-negative bacteria carrying Gram-positive mercury reductase (merA)-like genes were characterized using DNA-DNA hybridization, PCR and sequencing. A PCR assay was developed which discriminated between the merA genes related to Staphylococcus and those related to the Bacillus/Streptococcus merA genes by the difference in size of the PCR product. DNA sequence analysis correlated with the PCR assay. The merA genes from Acinetobacter junii, Enterobacter cloacae and Escherichia coli were sequenced and shared 98-99% identical nucleotide (nt) and 99.6-100% amino acid identity with the Staphylococcus aureus MerA protein. A fourth merA gene, from Pantoeae agglomerans, was partially sequenced (60%) and had 99% identical nt and 100% amino acid identity with the Streptococcus oralis MerA protein. All the Hg(r) Gram-negative bacteria transferred their Gram-positive merA genes to a Gram-positive Enterococcus faecalis recipient with the resulting transconjugants expressing mercury resistance. These Gram-positive merA genes join Gram-positive tetracycline resistance and Gram-positive macrolide resistance genes in their association with mobile elements which are able to transfer and express in Gram-negative bacteria.200415358427
5846110.9968Distribution of tetracycline resistance genes and transposons among phylloplane bacteria in Michigan apple orchards. The extent and nature of tetracycline resistance in bacterial populations of two apple orchards with no or a limited history of oxytetracycline usage were assessed. Tetracycline-resistant (Tc(r)) bacteria were mostly gram negative and represented from 0 to 47% of the total bacterial population on blossoms and leaves (versus 26 to 84% for streptomycin-resistant bacteria). A total of 87 isolates were screened for the presence of specific Tc(r) determinants. Tc(r) was determined to be due to the presence of Tet B in Pantoea agglomerans and other members of the family Enterobacteriacae and Tet A, Tet C, or Tet G in most Pseudomonas isolates. The cause of Tc(r) was not identified in 16% of the isolates studied. The Tc(r) genes were almost always found on large plasmids which also carried the streptomycin resistance transposon Tn5393. Transposable elements with Tc(r) determinants were detected by entrapment following introduction into Escherichia coli. Tet B was found within Tn10. Two of eighteen Tet B-containing isolates had an insertion sequence within Tn10; one had IS911 located within IS10-R and one had Tn1000 located upstream of Tet B. Tet A was found within a novel variant of Tn1721, named Tn1720, which lacks the left-end orfI of Tn1721. Tet C was located within a 19-kb transposon, Tn1404, with transposition genes similar to those of Tn501, streptomycin (aadA2) and sulfonamide (sulI) resistance genes within an integron, Tet C flanked by direct repeats of IS26, and four open reading frames, one of which may encode a sulfate permease. Two variants of Tet G with 92% sequence identity were detected.199910543801
5390120.9967Presence of erythromycin and tetracycline resistance genes in lactic acid bacteria from fermented foods of Indian origin. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) resistant to erythromycin were isolated from different food samples on selective media. The isolates were identified as Enterococcus durans, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus lactis, Enterococcus casseliflavus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus fermentum, Pediococcus pentosaceus and Leuconostoc mesenteroides. Of the total 60 isolates, 88 % harbored the ermB gene. The efflux gene msrA was identified in E. faecium, E. durans, E. lactis, E. casseliflavus, P. pentosaceus and L. fermentum. Further analysis of the msrA gene by sequencing suggested its homology to msrC. Resistance to tetracycline due to the genes tetM, tetW, tetO, tetK and tetL, alone or in combination, were identified in Lactobacillus species. The tetracycline efflux genes tetK and tetL occurred in P. pentosaceus and Enterococcus species. Since it appeared that LAB had acquired these genes, fermented foods may be a source of antibiotic resistance.201222644346
5403130.9967Distribution of antimicrobial-resistant lactic acid bacteria in natural cheese in Japan. To determine and compare the extent of contamination caused by antimicrobial-resistant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in imported and domestic natural cheeses on the Japanese market, LAB were isolated using deMan, Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) agar and MRS agar supplemented with six antimicrobials. From 38 imported and 24 Japanese cheeses, 409 LAB isolates were obtained and their antimicrobial resistance was tested. The percentage of LAB resistant to dihydrostreptomycin, erythromycin, and/or oxytetracycline isolated from imported cheeses (42.1%) was significantly higher than that of LAB resistant to dihydrostreptomycin or oxytetracycline from cheeses produced in Japan (16.7%; P=0.04). Antimicrobial resistance genes were detected in Enterococcus faecalis (tetL, tetM, and ermB; tetL and ermB; tetM) E. faecium (tetM), Lactococcus lactis (tetS), Lactobacillus (Lb.), casei/paracasei (tetM or tetW), and Lb. rhamnosus (ermB) isolated from seven imported cheeses. Moreover, these E. faecalis isolates were able to transfer antimicrobial resistance gene(s). Although antimicrobial resistance genes were not detected in any LAB isolates from Japanese cheeses, Lb. casei/paracasei and Lb. coryniformis isolates from a Japanese farm-made cheese were resistant to oxytetracycline (minimal inhibitory concentration [MIC], 32 µg/mL). Leuconostoc isolates from three Japanese farm-made cheeses were also resistant to dihydrostreptomycin (MIC, 32 to >512 µg/mL). In conclusion, the present study demonstrated contamination with antimicrobial-resistant LAB in imported and Japanese farm-made cheeses on the Japanese market, but not in Japanese commercial cheeses.201323930694
5388140.9967Molecular identification and antibiotic resistance of bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria isolated from table olives. In the present study, lactic acid bacteria were isolated from table olive in Morocco. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA fingerprinting with (GTG)'(5) primer revealed a remarquable variability within isolates. According to the molecular identification, Enterococcus faecium was the most dominant species isolated with 32 strains (84.21%), followed by 4 strains of Weissella paramesenteroides (10.52%), 1 strain of Leuconostoc mesenteroides (2.63%) and Lactobacillus plantarum (2.63%). All of the strains that were identified showed occurrence of more than one bacteriocin-encoding gene. Based on the results obtained, L. plantarum 11 showed a mosaic of loci coding for nine bacteriocins (pln A, pln D, pln K, pln G, pln B, pln C, pln N, pln J, ent P). A phenotypic and genotypic antibiotic resistance was also examined. L. plantarum 11, L. mesenteroides 62, W. paramesenteroides 9 and W. paramesenteroides 36 as well as all the strains of E. faecium were susceptible to ampicillin, clindamycin and teicoplanin; however, isolates showed a resistance profile against tetracycline and erythromycin. Except E. faecium 114, E. faecium 130 and L. plantarum 11, no antibiotic resistance genes were detected in all of the strains, which might be due to resistances resulting from non-transferable or non-acquired resistance determinants (intrinsic mechanism).202132995979
5399150.9967Characterisation and transferability of antibiotic resistance genes from lactic acid bacteria isolated from Irish pork and beef abattoirs. Lactic acid bacteria isolated from Irish pork and beef abattoirs were analysed for their susceptibility to antimicrobials. Thirty-seven isolates (12 enterococci, 10 lactobacilli, 8 streptococci, 3 lactococci, 2 Leuconostoc, and 2 pediococci) were examined for phenotypic resistance using the E-test and their minimum inhibitory concentration to a panel of six antibiotics (ampicillin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, streptomycin, tetracycline, and vancomycin) was recorded. The corresponding genetic determinants responsible were characterised by PCR. Also, the transferability of these resistance markers was assessed in filter mating assays. Of the 37 isolates, 33 were found to be resistant to one or more antibiotics. All strains were susceptible to ampicillin and chloramphenicol. The erm(B) and msrA/B genes were detected among the 11 erythromycin-resistant strains of enterococci, lactobacilli, and streptococci. Two tetracycline-resistant strains, Lactobacillus plantarum and Leuconostoc mesenteroides spp., contained tet(M) and tet(S) genes respectively. Intrinsic streptomycin resistance was observed in lactobacilli, streptococci, lactococci and Leuconostoc species; none of the common genetic determinants (strA, strB, aadA, aadE) were identified. Four of 10 strains of Enterococcus faecium were resistant to vancomycin; however, no corresponding genetic determinants for this phenotype were identified. Enterococcus faecalis strains were susceptible to vancomycin. L. plantarum, L. mesenteroides and Pediococcus pentosaceus were intrinsically resistant to vancomycin. Transfer of antibiotic resistance determinants was demonstrated in one strain, wherein the tet(M) gene of L. plantarum (23) isolated from a pork abattoir was transferred to Lactococcus lactis BU-2-60 and to E. faecalis JH2-2. This study identified the presence of antibiotic resistance markers in Irish meat isolates and, in one example, resistance was conjugally transferred to other LAB strains.201020074643
5848160.9967Plasmid and chromosomal basis of tolerance to cadmium and resistance to antibiotics in normal bovine duodenal bacterial flora. Cadmium (Cd) tolerance and antibiotic resistance was studied in duodenal flora of 20 normal bovine samples. Twelve bacterial isolates (5 Staphylococcus spp, 4 Enterococcus faecalis, 2 Bacillus spp, and a Pseudomonas sp) were grown in Luria broth containing 0.05 to 0.8 mM of cadmium chloride (CdCl). All isolates displayed multiple antibiotic resistance, with 2 Enterococcus strains and Pseudomonas pickettii demonstrating resistance to 12/17 antibiotics tested. With the exception of Staphylococcus sp, all contained plasmid DNA. Curing to remove plasmid DNA determined if Cd tolerance and/or antibiotic resistance was plasmid or chromosomally mediated. None of the bacteria became sensitive to CdCl after curing, suggesting that tolerance was not plasmid-mediated. Six bacteria became sensitive to antibiotics after curing indicating that antibiotic2 resistance was plasmid mediated. Two of these bacteria became sensitive to multiple antibiotics; a Staphylococcus sp became sensitive to ampicillin, ceftiofur and cephalothin, and a Enterococcus strain became sensitive to neomycin, oxacillin, and tiamulin. All of the isolates were probed for the presence of known Cd-resistance genes (cadA, cadC, and cadD). DNA-DNA hybridization revealed cadA- and cadC-related sequences in chromosomal DNA of a Staphylococcus sp, an Enterococcus strain, and in plasmid DNA of another Staphylococcus sp. No cadD-related sequences were detected in any of the 12 isolates even under reduced stringency of hybridization.200111383651
3567170.9966Cloning and sequence analysis of ermQ, the predominant macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B resistance gene in Clostridium perfringens. The erythromycin resistance determinant from Clostridium perfringens JIR100 has been cloned, sequenced, and shown to be expressed in Escherichia coli. An open reading frame with sequence similarity to erm genes from other bacteria was identified and designated the ermQ gene. On the basis of comparative sequence analysis, it was concluded that the ermQ gene represented a new Erm hybridization class, designated ErmQ. Genes belonging to the ErmQ class were found to be widespread in C. perfringens, since 30 of 38 macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B-resistant C. perfringens strains, from diverse sources, hybridized to an ermQ-specific gene probe. The ermQ gene therefore represents the most common erythromycin resistance determinant in C. perfringens.19948067735
5852180.9966A novel transposon, Tn6009, composed of a Tn916 element linked with a Staphylococcus aureus mer operon. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to characterize a novel conjugative transposon Tn6009 composed of a Tn916 linked to a Staphylococcus aureus mer operon in representative Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria isolated in Nigeria and Portugal. METHODS: Eighty-three Gram-positive and 34 Gram-negative bacteria were screened for the presence of the Tn6009 using DNA-DNA hybridization, PCR, hybridization of PCR products, sequencing and mating experiments by established procedures. RESULTS: Forty-three oral and 23 urine Gram-negative and Gram-positive isolates carried the Tn6009. Sequencing was performed to verify the direct linkage between the mer resistance genes and the tet(M) gene. A Nigerian Klebsiella pneumoniae, isolated from a urinary tract infection patient, and one commensal isolate from each of the other Tn6009-positive genera, Serratia liquefaciens, Pseudomonas sp., Enterococcus sp. and Streptococcus sp. isolated from the oral and urine samples of healthy Portuguese children, were able to act as donors and conjugally transfer the Tn6009 to the Enterococcus faecalis JH2-2 recipient, resulting in tetracycline- and mercury-resistant E. faecalis transconjugants. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports a novel non-composite conjugative transposon Tn6009 containing a Tn916 element linked to an S. aureus mer operon carrying genes coding for inorganic mercury resistance (merA), an organic mercury resistance (merB), a regulatory protein (merR) and a mercury transporter (merT). This transposon was identified in 66 isolates from two Gram-positive and three Gram-negative genera and is the first transposon in the Tn916 family to carry the Gram-positive mer genes directly linked to the tet(M) gene.200818583328
5853190.9966Identification of the tet(B) resistance gene in Streptococcus suis. The tetracycline resistance gene, tet(B), has been described previously in gram negative bacteria. In this study tet(B) was detected in plasmid extracts from 17/111 (15%) Streptococcus suis isolates from diseased pigs, representing the first report of this resistance gene in gram positive bacteria.201120696603