# | Rank | Similarity | Title + Abs. | Year | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 3047 | 0 | 0.9784 | Formaldehyde-resistance in Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa: identification of resistance genes by DNA-hybridization. A 4.1. Kb large DNA fragment of a E. coli plasmid pVU 3695, on which the genes for formaldehyde-resistance are located, was used as a DNA probe to identify bacteria that carry this segment among formaldehyde-resistant bacteria. It was shown by Southern Blot-, Dot Blot-, and Colony Blot- Hybridization studies that the DNA of all formaldehyde-resistant E. coli, Serratia marcescens, Enterobacter cloacae, Citrobacter freundii and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains tested hybridize with the DNA probe from E. coli. In contrast the E. coli DNA probe does not hybridize with the DNA from formaldehyde-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. | 1991 | 1909132 |
| 3038 | 1 | 0.9778 | Biotinylated probes for epidemiological studies of drug resistance in Salmonella krefeld. A gene probe for ampicillin resistance and one for sulphonamide resistance were prepared to study the origin and the relation of multiple drug resistances in Salmonella krefeld. The resistance genes were cloned into the pACYC184 vector of Escherichia coli from a common plasmid of S. krefeld that encoded for resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, streptomycin, sulphonamide and tetracycline resistance. Restriction map analysis and deletion analysis of a recombinant plasmid (pACSS1) showed that the gene determining ampicillin resistance was located on a 1.34 and 1.12 kb PstI fragment, and that the gene for sulphonamide resistance was located on a 0.85 kb PstI fragment. These fragments were used as probes. Their specificity was tested by colony hybridization with various bacterial species, including sensitive and resistance S. krefeld isolates. Further study indicated that the ampicillin resistance gene probe reacted with the gene for TEM-1 beta-lactamase and that the gene probe for sulphonamide resistance reacted with the gene for type II dihydropteroate synthase. The two probes were sufficiently specific to allow study of the epidemiology of resistance in S. krefeld and other enteric bacteria. | 1990 | 2190970 |
| 430 | 2 | 0.9773 | Cloning and characterization of EcoRI and HindIII restriction endonuclease-generated fragments of antibiotic resistance plasmids R6-5 and R6. DNA fragments generated by the EcoRI of HindIII endonucleases from the low copy number antibiotic resistance plasmids R6 and R6-5 were separately cloned using the high copy number ColE1 or pML21 plasmid vectors and the insertional inactivation procedure. The hybrid plasmids that were obtained were used to determine the location of the EcoRI and HindIII cleavage sites on the parent plasmid genomes by means of electron microscope heteroduplex analysis and agarose gel electrophoresis. Ultracentrifugation of the cloned fragments in caesium chloride gradients localized the high buoyant density regions of R6-5 to fragments that carry the genes for resistance to streptomycin-spectinomycin, sulfonamide, and mercury and a low buoyant density region to fragments that carry the tetracycline resistance determinant. Functional analysis of hybrid plasmids localized a number of plasmid properties such as resistances to antibiotics and mercury and several replication functions to specific regions of the R6-5 genome. Precise localisation of the genes for resistance to chloramphenicol, kanamycin, fusidic acid and tetracycline was possible due to the presence of identified restriction endonuclease cleavage sites within these determinants. Only one region competent for autonomous replication was identified on the R6-5 plasmid genome and this was localized to EcoRI fragment 2 and HindIII fragment 1. However, two additional regions of replication activity designated RepB and RepC, themselves incapable of autonomous replication but capable supporting replication of a linked ColE1 plasmid in polA- bacteria, were also identified. | 1978 | 672900 |
| 1245 | 3 | 0.9772 | Mutation-based fluoroquinolone resistance in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Escherichia coli isolates causing catheter-related bloodstream infections. OBJECTIVE: We studied the presence of mutations in the chromosomal quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDRs) of the fluoroquinolone targets gyrA and parC genes and detected the carbapenem resistance (CR) encoding genes among Acinetobacter baumannii and Escherichia coli isolates from catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs). METHODS: The study included 39 non-duplicate isolates of A. baumannii (14/39, 35.9%) and E. coli (25/39, 64.1%) isolated from 128 confirmed CRBSIs cases. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed, followed by an evaluation of biofilm formation using the tissue culture plate method. The carbapenemase encoding genes were detected by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The mutations in QRDRs of gyrA and parC genes were determined by singleplex PCR amplification followed by DNA sequencing and BlastN analysis in the GenBank database. DNA and the translated amino acid sequences were analyzed using the Mega7 bioinformatics tool. RESULTS: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) E. coli and A. baumannii isolates harbored CR encoding genes and combined gyrA and parC genes mutation. The specific substitutions observed in GyrA were Cys173Arg, Cys174Gly, Asp80Val, Tyr178ASP, Tyr84Gly, Glu85Lys, Ser172Leu, and Asp176Asn, while the specific substitutions observed in the ParC amino acid sequence were point mutation 62 Arg, Phe60Leu, Ils66Val, and Gln76Lys. Point mutation 62Arg was detected in two A. baumannii isolates, whereas Ser172Leu mutation was observed in two E. coli isolates. CONCLUSION: The presence of new single and multiple mutations in QRDR causes the emergence of MDR E. coli and A. baumannii infections in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Egypt, requiring further investigation in Gram-negative bacteria. | 2023 | 37151743 |
| 3054 | 4 | 0.9772 | Acquisition by a Campylobacter-like strain of aphA-1, a kanamycin resistance determinant from members of the family Enterobacteriaceae. A Campylobacter-like organism, BM2196, resistant to kanamycin and streptomycin-spectinomycin was isolated from the feces of a patient with acute enteritis. The kanamycin and streptomycin-spectinomycin resistances were not transferable to Camplylobacter sp. or to Escherichia coli, and no plasmid DNA was detected in this strain. The resistance genes were therefore tentatively assigned to a chromosomal locality. Analysis by the phosphocellulose paper-binding assay of extracts from BM2196 indicated that resistance to kanamycin and structurally related antibiotics was due to the synthesis of 3'-aminoglycoside phosphotransferase type I [APH(3')-I], an enzyme specific for gram-negative bacteria, and that resistance to streptomycin-spectinomycin was secondary to the presence of a 3",9-aminoglycoside adenylyltransferase. Homology between BM2196 and an APH(3')-I probe was detected by DNA-DNA hybridization. A 2.2-kilobase BM2196 DNA fragment conferring resistance to kanamycin was cloned in E. coli and was sequenced partially. The resistance gene appeared nearly identical to that of Tn903 from E. coli and was adjacent to IS15-delta, an insertion sequence widespread in gram-negative bacteria, thus indicating that Campylobacter species can act as a recipient for genes originating in members of the family Enterobacteriaceae. | 1987 | 2821885 |
| 5868 | 5 | 0.9772 | Evaluation 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. | 2009 | 19484299 |
| 2984 | 6 | 0.9771 | Real-time polymerase chain reaction for the quantitative detection of tetA and tetB bacterial tetracycline resistance genes in food. A new, rapid, sensitive and specific method was developed to directly detect and quantify tetA and tetB in food. Both tet genes are two of the most frequently present tetracycline resistance genes in gram-negative bacteria. A set of primers and Taqman probes was designed for each gene. The standard curves were performed using Escherichia coli BM13 (C600 RifR)/RP4 and E. coli NCTC 50365, which carry tetA and tetB, respectively. Meat and fish samples inoculated with these reference strains were used as a matrix to construct the standard curves for the analysis of 20 samples of chicken meat and 10 samples of hake (Merlucius merlucius). The limits of detection in pure culture were 5 cfu/mL (0.7 log cfu/mL) in the case of tetA, 50 cfu/mL (1.7log cfu/mL) for tetB and 5×10(2)cfu/g (2.7 log cfu/g) for both genes in food samples. The results obtained by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were compared to counts of tetracycline-resistant bacteria obtained by plating extracts of poultry and hake samples in culture media supplemented with 16 mg/L of tetracycline. Counts of tetracycline-resistant bacteria obtained by qPCR showed a positive correlation, especially interesting when compared with microbiological counts of tetracycline-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in poultry meat (r=0.5509) and with tetracycline-resistant mesophilic aerobic bacteria in hake samples (r=0.7146). The obtained results demonstrate that this method could be a useful tool for the direct quantification of the amount of bacterial strains that carry tetA and/or tetB genes in food samples. | 2011 | 21420750 |
| 5086 | 7 | 0.9771 | Detection of genetically modified microorganisms in soil using the most-probable-number method with multiplex PCR and DNA dot blot. The principal objective of this study was to detect genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs) that might be accidentally released into the environment from laboratories. Two methods [plate counting and most-probable-number (MPN)] coupled with either multiplex PCR or DNA dot blots were compared using genetically modified Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida, and Acinetobacter oleivorans harboring an antibiotic-resistance gene with additional gfp and lacZ genes as markers. Alignments of sequences collected from databases using the Perl scripting language (Perl API) and from denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that the gfp, lacZ and antibiotic-resistance genes (kanamycin, tetracycline, and ampicillin) in GMMs differed from the counterpart genes in many sequenced genomes and in soil DNA. Thus, specific multiplex PCR primer sets for detection of plasmid-based gfp and lacZ antibiotic-resistance genes could be generated. In the plate counting method, many antibiotic-resistant bacteria from a soil microcosm grew as colonies on antibiotic-containing agar plates. The multiplex PCR verification of randomly selected antibiotic-resistant colonies with specific primers proved ineffective. The MPN-multiplex PCR method and antibiotic-resistant phenotype could be successfully used to detect GMMs, although this method is quite laborious. The MPN-DNA dot blot method screened more cells at a time in a microtiter plate containing the corresponding antibiotics, and was shown to be a more efficient method for the detection of GMMs in soil using specific probes in terms of labor and accuracy. | 2011 | 21810467 |
| 434 | 8 | 0.9771 | Homologous Streptomycin Resistance Gene Present among Diverse Gram-Negative Bacteria in New York State Apple Orchards. The streptomycin resistance gene of Pseudomonas syringae pv. papulans Psp36 was cloned into Escherichia coli and used to develop a 500-bp DNA probe that is specific for streptomycin resistance in P. syringae pv. papulans. The probe is a portion of a 1-kb region shared by three different DNA clones of the resistance gene. In Southern hybridizations, the probe hybridized only with DNA isolated from streptomycin-resistant strains of P. syringae pv. papulans and not with the DNA of streptomycin-sensitive strains. Transposon insertions within the region of DNA shared by the three clones resulted in loss of resistance to streptomycin. Colony hybridization of bacteria isolated from apple leaves and orchard soil indicated that 39% of 398 streptomycin-resistant bacteria contained DNA that hybridized to the probe. These included all strains of P. syringae pv. papulans and some other fluorescent pseudomonads and nonfluorescent gram-negative bacteria, but none of the gram-positive bacteria. The same-size restriction fragments hybridized to the probe in P. syringae pv. papulans. Restriction fragment length polymorphism of this region was occasionally observed in strains of other taxonomic groups of bacteria. In bacteria other than P. syringae pv. papulans, the streptomycin resistance probe hybridized to different-sized plasmids and no relationship between plasmid size and taxonomic group or between plasmid size and orchard type, soil association, or leaf association could be detected. | 1991 | 16348415 |
| 5861 | 9 | 0.9770 | Distribution 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. | 1994 | 7727901 |
| 437 | 10 | 0.9770 | Cloning of genes responsible for acetic acid resistance in Acetobacter aceti. Five acetic acid-sensitive mutants of Acetobacter aceti subsp. aceti no. 1023 were isolated by mutagenesis with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. Three recombinant plasmids that complemented the mutations were isolated from a gene bank of the chromosome DNA of the parental strain constructed in Escherichia coli by using cosmid vector pMVC1. One of these plasmids (pAR1611), carrying about a 30-kilobase-pair (kb) fragment that conferred acetic acid resistance to all five mutants, was further analyzed. Subcloning experiments indicated that a 8.3-kb fragment was sufficient to complement all five mutations. To identify the mutation loci and genes involved in acetic acid resistance, insertional inactivation was performed by insertion of the kanamycin resistance gene derived from E. coli plasmid pACYC177 into the cloned 8.3-kb fragment and successive integration into the chromosome of the parental strain. The results suggested that three genes, designated aarA, aarB, and aarC, were responsible for expression of acetic acid resistance. Gene products of these genes were detected by means of overproduction in E. coli by use of the lac promoter. The amino acid sequence of the aarA gene product deduced from the nucleotide sequence was significantly similar to those of the citrate synthases (CSs) of E. coli and other bacteria. The A. aceti mutants defective in the aarA gene were found to lack CS activity, which was restored by introduction of a plasmid containing the aarA gene. A mutation in the CS gene of E. coli was also complemented by the aarA gene. These results indicate that aarA is the CS gene. | 1990 | 2156811 |
| 2214 | 11 | 0.9769 | Development of multiplex recombinase polymerase amplification for the rapid detection of five carbapenemase (bla(KPC), bla(NDM), bla(OXA-48)-like, bla(IMP), and bla(VIM)) and 10 mcr (mcr-1 to mcr-10) genes in blood cultures. The emergence of plasmid-encoded carbapenemase and mobile colistin resistance (mcr) genes poses a significant challenge in controlling the spread of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Addressing this issue requires the development of rapid, accurate, and cost-effective tools for gene detection. For the first time, this study reports three multiplex recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assays, each designed to detect five resistance genes: carbapenemase (bla(KPC), bla(NDM), bla(OXA-48)-like, bla(IMP), and bla(VIM)), mcr-1 to mcr-5, and mcr-6 to mcr-10. Using agarose gel electrophoresis, all 15 target genes were successfully amplified by the three assays, demonstrating the potential of these assays for integration with rapid reporting platforms. To increase their applicability, the assays were combined with SYBR(Ⓡ) Green I for visual identification of all 15 target genes and with lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) for detection of two carbapenemase (bla(NDM) and bla(OXA-48)-like) and two mcr genes (mcr-1 and mcr-3) genes. Specificity testing showed that RPA-SYBR(Ⓡ) Green I and RPA-LFIAs produced no cross-reactivity among the target genes. The limit of detection for RPA-SYBR(Ⓡ) Green I, for all genes, ranged from 2 × 10(0) to 2 × 10(2) CFU/reaction, and for RPA-LFIAs from 2 × 10(0) to 2 × 10(3) CFU/reaction. The developed RPA-SYBR(Ⓡ) Green I and RPA-LFIAs successfully detected 15 and four target genes, from positive haemoculture bottles. These assays offer a promising approach for point-of-care testing. Providing a valuable tool for antimicrobial resistance surveillance and timely guidance for effective antibiotic intervention. | 2025 | 40618792 |
| 5858 | 12 | 0.9769 | Distribution 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. | 2007 | 17214735 |
| 5798 | 13 | 0.9769 | Rapid identification of bacteria, mecA and van genes from blood cultures. The Genotype technology, a quick molecular genetic assay based on DNA multiplex amplification with biotinylated primers followed by hybridization to membrane bound probes, complies with the requirements for a fast diagnosis of sepsis. We evaluated the new Genotype BC Gram-negative and Gram-positive test kits (Hain Life Science, Germany) which respectively allow for the identification of 15 species of Gram-negative (GN) rods, and the identification of 17 Gram-positive (GP) bacteria species together with the determination of methicillin and vancomycin resistance (mecA and van genes). The study was performed on 60 positive blood cultures from BacT/ALERT bottles (aerobic, anaerobic and pediatric bottles). First, a Gram stain was carried out to select between Genotype BC GP or GN test, then identification were performed by the Genotype BC tests and by biochemical conventional tests after subculture and phenotypic susceptibility determination. The operating procedure was very easy to carry out and required a small amount of starting material (5 to 10 microL of blood culture). The results were available within 4.5 hours. For all the blood cultures, the Genotype BC results correlated with the biochemical identification and phenotypic antibiotics susceptibility. According to our results, this DNA strip technology based assay can easily be incorporated into routine diagnosis. | 2007 | 17913394 |
| 2011 | 14 | 0.9768 | Molecular epidemiology of two genes encoding 3-N-aminoglycoside acetyltransferases AAC(3)I and AAC(3)II among gram-negative bacteria from a Spanish hospital. The molecular epidemiology of the aacC1 and aacC2 genes, encoding 3-N-aminoglycoside acetyltransferases AAC(3)I and AAC(3)II, respectively, was studied by DNA-DNA hybridization. The sample included 315 gentamicin-resistant Gram-negative bacilli collected over a six-month period from patients attending a Spanish Hospital. The aminoglycoside resistance phenotype of these strains was also determined. The aacC1 probe hybridized with 39 strains, the aacC2 probe with 146 strains and both probes hybridized with 26 strains. The aacC1 gene was most frequently detected in Pseudomonas aeruginosa whereas the aacC2 gene was most frequently detected in enterobacteria and Acinetobacter spp. Strains harbouring aacC genes were isolated from both in- and outpatients with different infectious diseases, mainly urinary tract infections. As inferred from the results of Southern hybridization, both genes showed a wide horizontal dispersion among plasmids and bacteria. | 1993 | 8150069 |
| 5851 | 15 | 0.9767 | Arsenic resistance determinants from environmental bacteria. Arsenic resistance determinants from 42 environmental bacterial isolates (32 Gram negative) were analyzed by DNA: DNA hybridization using probes derived from Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus plasmid or chromosomal arsenic resistance (ars) genes. In colony hybridization assays, 11 and 1 Gram negative strains hybridized with the E. coli chromosome and plasmid probes, respectively. No hybridization was detected using a probe containing only the arsA (ATPase) gene from E. coli plasmid or with a Staphylococcus plasmid ars probe. From Southern hybridization tests of some of the positive strains it was concluded that homology to ars chromosomal genes occurred within chromosome regions, except in an E. coli isolate where hybridization occurred in both the chromosome and a 130-kb plasmid. Our results show that DNA sequences homologous to E. coli ars chromosomal genes are commonly present in the chromosomes of environmental arsenic-resistant Gram negative isolates. | 1998 | 10932734 |
| 535 | 16 | 0.9767 | Improved broad-host-range plasmids for DNA cloning in gram-negative bacteria. Improved broad-host-range plasmid vectors were constructed based on existing plasmids RSF1010 and RK404. The new plasmids pDSK509, pDSK519, and pRK415, have several additional cloning sites and improved antibiotic-resistance genes which facilitate subcloning and mobilization into various Gram-negative bacteria. Several new polylinker sites were added to the Escherichia coli plasmids pUC118 and pUC119, resulting in the new plasmids, pUC128 and pUC129. These plasmids facilitate the transfer of cloned DNA fragments to the broad-host-range vectors. Finally, the broad-host-range cosmid cloning vector pLAFR3 was improved by the addition of a double cos casette to generate the new plasmid, pLAFR5. This latter cosmid simplifies vector preparation and has permitted the rapid cloning of genomic DNA fragments generated with Sau3A. The resulting clones may be introduced into other Gram-negative bacteria by conjugation. | 1988 | 2853689 |
| 534 | 17 | 0.9767 | Plasmid shuttle vector with two insertionally inactivable markers for coryneform bacteria. A new shuttle vector pCEM500 replicating in Escherichia coli and in Brevibacterium flavum was constructed. It carries two antibiotic resistance determinants (Kmr/Gmr from plasmid pSa of Gram-negative bacteria and Smr/Spr from plasmid pCG4 of Corynebacterium glutamicum) which are efficiently expressed in both hosts and can be inactivated by insertion of DNA fragments into the unique restriction endonuclease sites located within them. This vector was found to be stably maintained in B. flavum and can be used for transfer of the cloned genes into this amino-acid-producing coryneform bacterium. | 1990 | 2148164 |
| 393 | 18 | 0.9767 | Antibiotic marker modifications of lambda Red and FLP helper plasmids, pKD46 and pCP20, for inactivation of chromosomal genes using PCR products in multidrug-resistant strains. The Red recombinase system of bacteriophage Lambda has been used to inactivate chromosomal genes in bacteria using PCR products. In this study, we describe the replacement of the ampicillin resistance marker of helper plasmids pKD46 and pCP20 by a gentamicin resistance gene to disrupt chromosomal genes and then to eliminate FRT flanked resistance gene in multiple antibiotic-resistant Salmonella enterica strains. | 2008 | 18619499 |
| 3566 | 19 | 0.9767 | Transfer of antibiotic multiresistant plasmid RP4 from escherichia coli to activated sludge bacteria. In situ transfer of a self-transmissible, antibiotic-multiresistant plasmid RP4 from a laboratory Escherichia coli strain C600 to indigenous activated sludge bacteria was investigated using filter mating. The transfer frequency of RP4 from the donor E. coli to the bacteria that was sampled from two wastewater treatment plants was 5.1x10(-2) to 7.5x10(-1) and 4.6x10(-3) to 1.3x10(-2)/potential recipient. The isolated transconjugants showed resistance to Ap, Km, and Tc and the presence of a plasmid with a similar size to RP4. The traG gene on RP4 was also detected from all transconjugants. Reverse-transfer experiments from the transconjugants to E. coli HB101 indicated that RP4 maintained self-transmissibility in the transconjugants. The transconjugant strains were dominant bacteria in activated sludge including Pseudomonas fluorescens, P. putida, and Ochrobactrum anthropi and minor populations of enteric bacterial strains including Citrobacter freundii, E. coli, Enterobacter cloacae, E. asburiae, and Klebsiella pneumoniae ssp. pneumoniae. The transconjugant strains K. pneumoniae ssp. pneumonia, E. cloacae, and E. asburiae had several naturally occurring plasmids. These results suggest that in situ transfer of plasmids and the exchange of antibiotic-resistant genes can occur between released and indigenous bacteria in activated sludge. | 2008 | 18930008 |