Nonconjugative Plasmid Research Articles

Emergence of multidrug-resistant Proteus mirabilis in along-term care facility in Croatia.

An increased frequency of Proteus mirabilis isolates resistant to expanded-spectrum cephalosporins was observed recently in along-term care facility in Zagreb (Godan). The aim of this study was the molecular characterization of resistance mechanisms to new cephalosporins in P.mirabilis isolates from this nursing home. Thirty-eight isolates collected from 2013-2015 showing reduced susceptibility to ceftazidime were investigated. Antibiotic susceptibilities were determined by broth microdilution method. Inhibitor-based tests were performed to detect extended-spectrum (ESBLs) and AmpC β-lactamases. AmpC β-lactamases were characterized by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by sequencing of bla ampC genes. Quinolone resistance determinants (qnr genes) were characterized by PCR. Genotyping of the isolates was performed by repetitive element sequence (rep)-PCR and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Presence of an AmpC β-lactamase was confirmed in all isolates by combined-disk test with phenylboronic acid. All isolates were resistant to amoxicillin alone and combined with clavulanate, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, cefoxitin, and ciprofloxacin; but susceptible to cefepime, imipenem, and meropenem. PCR followed by sequencing using primers targeting bla ampc genes revealed CMY-16 β-lactamase in all but one strain. Bla cmy-16 was carried by anon-conjugative plasmid which did not belong to any known plasmid-based replicon typing (PBRT) group. Rep-PCR identified one large clone consisting of 15isolates, three pairs or related isolates, one triplet, and four singletons. PFGE confirmed the clonality of the isolates. This is the first report of multidrug resistant P.mirabilis in anursing home in Croatia. Cephalosporin resistance was due to plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamase CMY-16.

Detection and characterization of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli from chicken production chains in Nigeria

A total of 405 Escherichia coli from the chicken production chains in Nigeria were investigated for ESBL-production and 4 isolates were identified as ESBL producers. They were characterized by XbaI-PFGE, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), phylotyping, sequencing of porin and regulatory genes and of the regulatory region of chromosomal ampC genes. Transformed ESBL gene-carrying plasmids were characterized by S1-nuclease, replicon typing, conjugation, digestion and PCRs for detection of the genetic environment of ESBL genes. Susceptibility testing, PCRs for the resistance genes, integrons, and the DNA microarray were performed with both, the original isolates and the transformants. All ESBL-producing isolates harboured blaCTX-M-15 genes located on non-conjugative plasmids (120–155kb). Three isolates with closely related/indistinguishable XbaI-patterns belonged to phylogroup A, and MLST sequence type ST10 and the fourth to phylogroup D and ST405. Resistance to aminoglycosides, sulfonamides/trimethoprim, quinolones, and tetracyclines were seen in all isolates. Incompatibility group IncFIB blaCTX-M-15-carrying plasmids were detected in the three related isolates which carried also a class 1 integron (aadA2-orfF-dfrA12) and the resistance genes blaOXA-1, blaTEM-1, aac(3′)-IIa, aac(6′)-Ib-cr, sul1, sul2, and tet(A). The IncFIA-IncFIB-IncI1 blaCTX-M-15-carrying plasmid harboured additionally the resistance genes aac(3′)-IIa and tet(B). The blaCTX-M-15 genes were associated with ISEcp1 and Δorf477. ESBL-producing isolates showed elevated MICs to cefoxitin (16–64mg/L) and ertapenem MICs (0.5–2.0mg/L) mainly due to alterations in the porin genes. The virulence genes astA and prfB were detected. Although a low prevalence of ESBL-producing isolates was found, co-located resistance genes on the ESBL gene-carrying plasmids may facilitate the dissemination of them.

Prevalence of Streptomycin-Resistant Erwinia amylovora in New York Apple Orchards.

Resistance to streptomycin in Erwinia amylovora was first observed in the United States in the 1970s but was not found in New York until 2002, when streptomycin-resistant (SmR) E. amylovora was isolated from orchards in Wayne County. From 2011 to 2014, in total, 591 fire blight samples representing shoot blight, blossom blight, and rootstock blight were collected from 80 apple orchards in New York. From these samples, 1,280 isolates of E. amylovora were obtained and assessed for streptomycin resistance. In all, 34 SmR E. amylovora isolates were obtained from 19 individual commercial orchards. The majority of the resistant isolates were collected from orchards in Wayne County, and the remaining were from other counties in western New York. Of the 34 resistant isolates, 32 contained the streptomycin resistance gene pair strA/strB in the transposon Tn5393 on the nonconjugative plasmid pEA29. This determinant of streptomycin resistance has only been found in SmR E. amylovora isolates from Michigan and the SmR E. amylovora isolates discovered in Wayne County, NY in 2002. Currently, our data indicate that SmR E. amylovora is restricted to counties in western New York and is concentrated in the county with the original outbreak. Because the resistance is primarily present on the nonconjugative plasmid, it is possible that SmR has been present in Wayne County since the introduction in 2002, and has spread within and out of Wayne County to additional commercial growers over the past decade. However, research is still needed to provide in-depth understanding of the origin and spread of the newly discovered SmR E. amylovora to reduce the spread of streptomycin resistance into other apple-growing regions, and address the sustainability of streptomycin use for fire blight management in New York.

Processing of Nonconjugative Resistance Plasmids by Conjugation Nicking Enzyme of Staphylococci.

Antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococcus aureus presents an increasing threat to human health. This resistance is often encoded on mobile plasmids, such as pSK41; however, the mechanism of transfer of these plasmids is not well understood. In this study, we first examine key protein-DNA interactions formed by the relaxase enzyme, NES, which initiates and terminates the transfer of the multidrug resistance plasmid pSK41. Two loops on the NES protein, hairpin loops 1 and 2, form extensive contacts with the DNA hairpin formed at the oriT region of pSK41, and here we establish that these contacts are essential for proper DNA cleavage and religation by the full 665-residue NES protein in vitro. Second, pSK156 and pCA347 are nonconjugative Staphylococcus aureus plasmids that contain sequences similar to the oriT region of pSK41 but differ in the sequence predicted to form a DNA hairpin. We show that pSK41-encoded NES is able to bind, cleave, and religate the oriT sequences of these nonconjugative plasmids in vitro. Although pSK41 could mobilize a coresident plasmid harboring its cognate oriT, it was unable to mobilize plasmids containing the pSK156 and pCA347 variant oriT mimics, suggesting that an accessory protein like that previously shown to confer specificity in the pWBG749 system may also be involved in transmission of plasmids containing a pSK41-like oriT. These data indicate that the conjugative relaxase in trans mechanism recently described for the pWBG749 family of plasmids also applies to the pSK41 family of plasmids, further heightening the potential significance of this mechanism in the horizontal transfer of staphylococcal plasmids. Understanding the mechanism of antimicrobial resistance transfer in bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus is an important step toward potentially slowing the spread of antimicrobial-resistant infections. This work establishes protein-DNA interactions essential for the transfer of the Staphylococcus aureus multiresistance plasmid pSK41 by its relaxase, NES. This enzyme also processed variant oriT-like sequences found on numerous plasmids previously considered nontransmissible, suggesting that in conjunction with an uncharacterized accessory protein, these plasmids may be transferred horizontally via a relaxase in trans mechanism. These findings have important implications for our understanding of staphylococcal resistance plasmid evolution.

Processing of Nonconjugative Resistance Plasmids by Conjugation Nicking Enzyme of Staphylococci

Processing of Nonconjugative Resistance Plasmids by Conjugation Nicking Enzyme of Staphylococci

Novel plasmid-borne multidrug resistance gene cluster including lsa(E) from a linezolid-resistant Enterococcus faecium isolate of swine origin.

A novel nonconjugative plasmid of 28,489 bp from a porcine linezolid-resistant Enterococcus faecium isolate was completely sequenced. This plasmid harbored a novel type of multiresistance gene cluster that comprised the resistance genes lnu(B), lsa(E), spw, aadE, aphA3, and two copies of erm(B), which account for resistance to macrolides, lincosamides, streptogramins, pleuromutilins, streptomycin, spectinomycin, and kanamycin/neomycin. Structural comparisons suggested that this plasmid might have developed from other enterococcal plasmids by insertion element (IS)-mediated interplasmid recombination processes.

Dissemination of multiresistant Enterobacter cloacae isolates producing OXA-48 and CTX-M-15 in a Spanish hospital

Twenty-one multiresistant Enterobacter cloacae isolates producing OXA-48 (n=10), CTX-M-15 (n=7) or both (n=4) β-lactamases were detected in a Spanish hospital during a 1-year period (June 2013 to June 2014). The isolates were also resistant to non-β-lactam antimicrobials, further complicating the therapeutic options. Genotyping of the isolates identified two major clones (ST74 and ST66) that caused prolonged outbreaks in different buildings of the hospital as well as some sporadic isolates (ST78, ST45 and ST295). Isolates belonging to clone 1 (n=7) were carbapenem-resistant and carried the blaOXA-48 gene on a conjugative IncL/M plasmid of ca. 65kb. Clone 2 isolates (n=11) were resistant to cefepime and harboured the blaCTX-M-15 gene on an ca. 150-kb, non-conjugative plasmid of the IncF group, co-harbouring the qnrB and aac(6′)-Ib-cr genes encoding quinolone resistance. Four clone 2 isolates were also resistant to carbapenems owing to the co-production of OXA-48. Most of the isolates were recovered from critically ill patients and were admitted to intensive care units; a single patient was transferred from another Spanish hospital. Intrahospital and interhospital dissemination of multiresistant E. cloacae isolates is of major clinical concern as it could lead to endemic nosocomial situations.

In vivo horizontal dissemination of the blaKPC-2 gene carried on diverse genetic platforms among clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae.

This study investigated the molecular characteristics of six blaKPC-positive Enterobacteriaceae recovered from three patients in Argentina. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) 2014 recommendations. Molecular characterisation of the isolates was performed by biparental conjugation, PCR, sequencing, S1 nuclease restriction, and Southern blot hybridisation with a blaKPC probe using standard protocols and conditions. The isolates studied were as follows. Case 1: Escherichia coli (ECO-P1) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPN-P1) isolated from a rectal swab harboured blaKPC-2 in transposon Tn4401a on non-typeable and non-conjugative plasmids. Case 2: Enterobacter cloacae (ECL-P2) and K. pneumoniae (KPN-P2) were isolated from two blood cultures. blaKPC-2 was found in a novel genetic variant of ISKpn8-blaKPC-2-ISKpn6-like on conjugative plasmids of IncL/M type. Case 3, Citrobacter freundii (CFR-P3) and Klebsiella oxytoca (KOX-P3) were isolated from skin and skin-structure infection. The blaKPC gene was detected on ISKpn8-ΔblaTEM-blaKPC-2-ISKpn6-like located on an IncA/C conjugative plasmid. CFR-P3 and KOX-P3 harboured blaPER-2 in addition to the blaKPC gene. In conclusion, we document the horizontal dissemination of blaKPC-2 from diverse Enterobacteriaceae clinical isolates with different genetic backgrounds. This is the first report of E. coli harbouring blaKPC associated with Tn4401a in Argentina.

Coproduction of KPC-2 and IMP-10 in Carbapenem-Resistant Serratia marcescens Isolates from an Outbreak in a Brazilian Teaching Hospital

We describe an outbreak caused by KPC-2- and IMP-10-producing Serratia marcescens isolates in a Brazilian teaching hospital. Tigecycline was the only active antimicrobial agent tested. The blaIMP-10 gene was located in a new class 1 integron, named In990, carried by a nonconjugative plasmid, in contrast to blaKPC-2.

PXO16 from Bacillus thuringiensis serovar israelensis: Almost 350 kb of terra incognita

Bacillus thuringiensis strains usually harbor large sets of plasmids, some of which carrying the entomopathogenic δ-endotoxins. B. thuringiensis serovar israelensis, active on Dipteran larvae, carries the very large conjugative plasmid pXO16 (350 kb). pXO16 displays a macroscopic aggregation phenotype when liquid cultures of conjugative partners are mixed. Its conjugative apparatus is able of transferring itself and other non-conjugative and non-mobilizable plasmids in a fast and very efficient manner. Even though its conjugative kinetics and capabilities have been extensively studied, the genetic bases for this unique transfer system remain largely unknown. In this work, the sequence of pXO16 has been identified in the existing sequenced genome of B. thuringiensis sv. israelensis HD-789 as corresponding to the p01 plasmid. Despite pXO16 sequence being highly coding, few CDS possess homologs in the databases. However, potential regions responsible for the aggregation phenotype and the plasmid replication have been highlighted. The common orientation of all CDS and the presence of a high number of potential paralogs suggested a phage-like nature. Concerning conjugative functions, no significant type IV secretion system homologs have been found, indicating that pXO16 encodes an unforeseen conjugative system.

Complete sequence of a bla(KPC)-harboring cointegrate plasmid isolated from Escherichia coli.

Horizontal transfer of bla(KPC)-harboring plasmids contributes significantly to the inter- and intraspecies spread of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC). Here we report the complete nucleotide sequence of a bla(KPC)-harboring IncFIA plasmid, pBK32533, from Escherichia coli. pBK32533 is a cointegrate plasmid comprising of a 72-kb sequence identical to that of the nonconjugative pBK30661 plasmid plus an additional 170-kb element that harbors the genes for plasmid transfer. pBK32533 demonstrates how bla(KPC) can be spread from a nonconjugative plasmid through cointegration.

Characteristics of KPC-2–producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ST258) clinical isolates from outbreaks in 2 Mexican medical centers

The KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae sequence type 258 (ST258) is an important pathogen widely spread in nosocomial infections. In this study, we identified the KPC-2–producing K. pneumoniae clinical isolates of 2 unrelated outbreaks that corresponded to pandemic strain ST258. The isolates showed high resistance to cephalosporins, carbapenems, quinolones, and colistin. The KPC-2–producing K. pneumoniae isolates were compared to the previously studied KPC-3–producing K. pneumoniae isolates from an outbreak in Mexico; they showed an unrelated pulsed-field gel electrophoresis fingerprinting pattern and a different plasmid profile. The KPC-2 carbapenemase gene was identified in two 230- and 270-kb non-conjugative plasmids; however, 1 isolate transferred the KPC-2 gene onto an 80-kb plasmid. These findings endorse the need of carrying out a continuous molecular epidemiological surveillance of carbapenem-resistant isolates in hospitals in Mexico.

Complete Genome Sequence of Phage-Like Plasmid pECOH89, Encoding CTX-M-15.

A nonconjugative and nontypable plasmid of a clinical Escherichia coli isolate expressing resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs) was isolated and sequenced. The plasmid pECOH89 contains a CTX-M-15 resistance cassette and comprises 111,741 bp, with strong homology to bacteriophage-like plasmids and to the Salmonella-specific bacteriophage SSU5.

Prevalence and plasmid characterization of the qnrD determinant in Morganella morganii isolates

Objective To investigate the prevalence and plasmid size of qnrD determinant in Morganella morganii (M.morganii) isolates.Methods A total of 100 non-duplicated M.morganii clinical isolates were collected from inpatients.Standard ager dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of fluoroquinolones against M.morganii isolates.PCR were performed to detect plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinants (PMQRs) in M.morganii isolates and the prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes and AmpC β-lactamase genes in PMQRs-positive M.morganii strains.The homology analysis among qnrD-positive M.morganii strains were conducted by using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).The location of qnrD gene and the size of plasmid carrying it were determined by southern hybridization.The transferability of qnrD gene was determined by conjugation experiment.Results Thirty out of 100 M.morganii isolates (30％) were found carrying PMQRs including 17 qnrD-positive strains,14 aac (6')-Ib-cr-positive strains and 5 qepA-positive strains.PCR and sequencing confirmed that thirty PMQRs-positive isolates carried blaDHA-1.Among them,six isolates were positive for ESBLs genes (four for blaCTX-M-14,one for blaCTX-M-3 and one for blaCTX-M-24) and four isolates were positive for blaTEM-1.Almost all PMQRs-positive M.morganii isolates showed reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones.Moreover,seventeen qnrD-positive M.morganii isolates harbored blaDHA-1 including five (29.4％) harboring aac(6')-Ib-cr gene,four (23.5％) harboring blaCTX-M-14,two (11.8％) harboring blaTEM-1 and one harboring aac(6')-Ib-cr gene,blaCTX-M-14 and blaDHA-1.PFGE analysis showed that the 17 qnrD-positive M.morganii isolates were divergent from each other and not clone-related.Southern hybridization analysis showed that qnrD genes of all M.morganiiis isolates were mainly located in a 2.7 kb plasmid,but only a few of them were located in a size of 5.1 kb plasmid.M.morganiiis isolates failed to transfer qnrD gene to E.coli EC600 through conjugation.Conclusion PMQRs were widely distributed in M.morganiiis isolates.qnrD gene was the predominant determinants with a high prevalence rate of 17.0％,followed by aac(6')-Ib-cr gene.qnrD gene was located on a non-conjugative plasmid of approximately 2.7 kb or 5.1 kb.One qnrD-positive M.morganii isolate carrying aac(6')-Ib-cr gene,blaCTX-M-14 and blaDHA-1 was detected. Key words: Morganella morganii ; qnrD gene; Fluoroquinolones; Plasmid

Genome-Wide Screen for Escherichia coli Genes Involved in Repressing Cell-To-Cell Transfer of a Nonconjugative pSC101-Derived Plasmid

Acquiring new genetic traits by lateral gene transfer is a bacterial strategy for environmental adaptations. We previously showed that Escherichia coli laterally transmits nonconjugative plasmids in cocultures that contain strains with or without the plasmid. Using a pMB1-derived plasmid and the Keio collection, a comprehensive library of E. coli knockout mutants for nonessential genes, we recently screened for genes responsible for promoting or repressing cell-to-cell plasmid transfer in recipient cells. In this study, we used a pSC101-derived plasmid, instead of a pMB1-derived plasmid, to screen for repressing genes and identified 29 “transfer-up” mutants. Among these, four mutants are common to those previously screened using a pMB1-derived plasmid. Although the roles of the 29 gene products in plasmid transfer mechanism remain uncertain, it is interesting that 28 of the 29 screened genes map to two limited regions on the E. coli chromosome: 18 genes at 34.25–35.31 min and 10 genes at 12.62–13.35 min. Because these two regions commonly contain termination (Ter) sites for DNA replication (TerC: 34.64 min and TerH: 12.91 min), it is possible that chromosomal mutations around specific Ter sites may affect plasmid acquisition in the recipient cells.

Diverse Broad-Host-Range Plasmids from Freshwater Carry Few Accessory Genes

Broad-host-range self-transferable plasmids are known to facilitate bacterial adaptation by spreading genes between phylogenetically distinct hosts. These plasmids typically have a conserved backbone region and a variable accessory region that encodes host-beneficial traits. We do not know, however, how well plasmids that do not encode accessory functions can survive in nature. The goal of this study was to characterize the backbone and accessory gene content of plasmids that were captured from freshwater sources without selecting for a particular phenotype or cultivating their host. To do this, triparental matings were used such that the only required phenotype was the plasmid's ability to mobilize a nonconjugative plasmid. Based on complete genome sequences of 10 plasmids, only 5 carried identifiable accessory gene regions, and none carried antibiotic resistance genes. The plasmids belong to four known incompatibility groups (IncN, IncP-1, IncU, and IncW) and two potentially new groups. Eight of the plasmids were shown to have a broad host range, being able to transfer into alpha-, beta-, and gammaproteobacteria. Because of the absence of antibiotic resistance genes, we resampled one of the sites and compared the proportion of captured plasmids that conferred antibiotic resistance to their hosts with the proportion of such plasmids captured from the effluent of a local wastewater treatment plant. Few of the captured plasmids from either site encoded antibiotic resistance. A high diversity of plasmids that encode no or unknown accessory functions is thus readily found in freshwater habitats. The question remains how the plasmids persist in these microbial communities.

Emergence of clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae producing OXA-232 carbapenemase in Singapore.

We report the emergence of OXA-232, a newly described OXA-48-like carbapenemase variant, in Southeast Asia. Molecular characterization of eight Klebsiella pneumoniae obtained from local and foreign patients reveals clonality of the isolates. blaOXA-232 was located on a non-conjugative plasmid of 6141 base pairs (GenBank accession number JX423831.1).

Molecular epidemiology of Escherichia coli O25b-ST131 isolates causing community-acquired UTIs in Mexico

Escherichia coli is a common uropathogen causing community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs). Out of 4735 E. coli community-acquired UTIs, 10.2% were extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL)-producing. The identified ESBL types were CTX-M-15 (96.4%), SHV-2a (3%), and TLA-1 (1%). Of the isolates, 94.6% tested positive for plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes (aac(6′)-lb-cr [92.1%] and qepA1 [7%] and for qnr-determinants [3.5%]). E. coli O25b-ST131 was identified in 25% of the isolates that harbor a non-conjugative 160-kb plasmid (IncFIA) containing the CTX-M-15, and all of these isolates were found to contain PMQR genes. This work can be useful in modeling the potential impact that may have on community-acquired UTIs in Mexico.

The Evolution of Collective Restraint: Policing and Obedience among Non-conjugative Plasmids

The repression of competition by mechanisms of policing is now recognized as a major force in the maintenance of cooperation. General models on the evolution of policing have focused on the interplay between individual competitiveness and mutual policing, demonstrating a positive relationship between within-group diversity and levels of policing. We expand this perspective by investigating what is possibly the simplest example of reproductive policing: copy number control (CNC) among non-conjugative plasmids, a class of extra-chromosomal vertically transmitted molecular symbionts of bacteria. Through the formulation and analysis of a multi-scale dynamical model, we show that the establishment of stable reproductive restraint among plasmids requires the co-evolution of two fundamental plasmid traits: policing, through the production of plasmid-coded trans-acting replication inhibitors, and obedience, expressed as the binding affinity of plasmid-specific targets to those inhibitors. We explain the intrinsic replication instabilities that arise in the absence of policing and we show how these instabilities are resolved by the evolution of copy number control. Increasing levels of policing and obedience lead to improvements in group performance due to tighter control of local population size (plasmid copy number), delivering benefits both to plasmids, by reducing the risk of segregational loss and to the plasmid-host partnership, by increasing the rate of cell reproduction, and therefore plasmid vertical transmission.

Prevalence and Plasmid Characterization of theqnrDDeterminant inEnterobacteriaceaeIsolated from Animals, Retail Meat Products, and Humans

qnrD, unlike other qnr genes, is mainly located on small nonconjugative plasmids. We investigated the presence of qnrD among 1,373 Enterobacteriaceae isolates in China. Twelve qnrD-positive strains were detected, and all were nonsusceptible to fluoroquinolones. The complete sequence of plasmids showed that the qnrD determinants were located on two plasmids with a respective size of ~4.2 and 2.7 k-bp. Interestingly, the identification of qnrD in this study revealed the highest prevalence of Proteeae among Enterobacteriaceae identified.