HORIZONTAL GENE TRANSFER OF DRUG RESISTANCE GENES BETWEEN SALMONELLA AND ESCHERICHIA COLI

Abstract

The physiological process that takes in the living organism is coded by a section of the DNA, the gene. Even resistance to antimicrobial by bacteria is conferred by resistant gene. Resistant Salmonella spp. and susceptible E. coli was used to study drug resistance gene transfer, which can be transferred by conjugation, transduction, or transformation . Materials used are, DST media, inoculating loops and sterile swaps Furthermore, eight antibiotics were used in the study. The susceptibility and resistance of the E, coli and Salmonella spp. was first confirmed. Diagnostic sensitivity test of the E. coli under three conditions ( E. coli + Dead Salmonella spp, E. coli + live Salmonella spp , E. coli + DNA) were done. Results from the study confirm that the susceptible bacteria, E. coli was able to acquire resistance genes from resistant Salmonella spp under the three conditions. Results proved that the most efficient means of acquiring resistance genes is through conjugation. It is recommended antibiotics that alter the cell wall as the most effective in capping resistance.