scholarly journals Antimicrobial-resistance gene transfer of Campylobacter jejuni in mono- and dual-species biofilms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luyao Ma ◽  
Michael E. Konkel ◽  
Xiaonan Lu
Keyword(s):  
Gene Transfer ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Resistant Strain ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Extracellular Dna ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Planktonic Cells ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance Gene ◽  
Planktonic State

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a driving force for the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes among C. jejuni, a leading cause of foodborne gastroenteritis worldwide Although HGT is well documented for C. jejuni planktonic cells, the role of C. jejuni biofilms in AMR spread that likely to occur in the environment is poorly understood. Here, we developed a co-cultivation model to investigate the HGT of chromosomally-encoded AMR genes between two C. jejuni F38011 AMR mutants in biofilms. Compared to planktonic cells, C. jejuni biofilms significantly promoted HGT (P < 0.05), resulting in an increase of HGT frequencies by up to 17.5 fold. Dynamic study revealed that HGT in biofilms increased at the early stage (i.e., from 24 h to 48 h) and remained stable during 48-72 h. Biofilms continuously released the HGT mutants into supernatant culture, indicating spontaneous dissemination of AMR to broader niches. DNase I treatment confirmed the role of natural transformation in genetic exchange. HGT was not associated with biofilm biomass, cell density, or bacterial metabolic activity, whereas the presence of extracellular DNA was negatively correlated to the altered HGT frequencies. Besides, HGT in biofilms had a strain-to-strain variation. A synergistic HGT effect was observed between C. jejuni with different genomic backgrounds (i.e., C. jejuni NCTC 11168 chloramphenicol-resistant strain and F38011 kanamycin-resistant strain). C. jejuni performed HGT at the frequency of 10−7 in Escherichia coli-C. jejuni biofilms, while HGT was not detectable in Salmonella enterica-C. jejuni biofilms. IMPORTANCE Antimicrobial-resistant C. jejuni has been listed as a high priority of public health concern worldwide. To tackle the rapid evolution of AMR in C. jejuni, it is of great importance to understand the extent and characteristics of HGT in C. jejuni biofilms, which serve as the main survival strategy of this microbe in the farm-to-table continuum. In this study, we demonstrated that biofilms significantly enhanced HGT when compared to the planktonic state (P < 0.05). Biofilm cultivation time and extracellular DNA (eDNA) amount were related to varied HGT frequencies. C. jejuni could spread AMR genes in both mono-species and dual-species biofilms, mimicking the survival mode of C. jejuni in food chains. These findings indicated that the risk and extent of AMR transmission among C. jejuni have been underestimated, as previous HGT studies mainly focused on the planktonic state. Future AMR controlling measures can target biofilms and their main component eDNA.

scholarly journals Copy-out-paste-in transposition of a Tn6283-like integrative element assists interspecies antimicrobial resistance gene transfer from Vibrio alfacsensis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Nonaka ◽  
Michiaki Masuda ◽  
Hirokazu Yano
Keyword(s):  
Gene Transfer ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Marine Bacteria ◽  
Donor Site ◽  
Conjugative Plasmid ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Donor Strain ◽  
Resistance Level ◽  
Ampicillin Resistance ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance Gene

The exchange of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes between aquaculture and terrestrial microbial populations has emerged as a serious public health concern. However, the nature of the mobile genetic elements in marine bacteria is poorly documented. To gain insight into the genetic mechanisms underlying AMR gene transfer from marine bacteria, we mated a multi-drug resistant Vibrio alfacsensis strain with an Escherichia coli strain, and then determined the complete genome sequences of the donor strain and multidrug-resistant transconjugants. Sequence analysis revealed a conjugative plasmid of the MOBH family in the donor strain, which was integrated into the chromosome of the recipient. The plasmid backbone in the transconjugant chromosome was flanked by two copies of a 7.1 kb integrative element, designated Tn 6945, harboring a beta-lactamase gene that conferred ampicillin resistance to the host cell. Use of a recA mutant E. coli strain as the recipient yielded a transconjugant showing ampicillin resistance but not multidrug resistance, suggesting the involvement of homologous recombination in plasmid integration into the chromosome. Polymerase chain reaction experiments revealed that Tn 6945 generates a circular copy without generating an empty donor site, suggesting that it moves via a copy-out-paste-in mode, as previously reported for Tn 6283. Transposition of the integrative element into multiple loci in the recipient chromosome increased the resistance level of the transconjugants. Overall, these results suggest that Tn 6283-like copy-out integrative elements and conjugative plasmids additively spread AMR genes among marine bacteria and contribute to the emergence of isolates with high-level resistance through amplification of AMR genes.

scholarly journals Role of biofilms in the survival of Legionella pneumophila to sodium chloride treatment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelwahid Assaidi ◽  
Mostafa Ellouali ◽  
Hassan Latrache ◽  
Hafida Zahir ◽  
El Mostafa Mliji
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Chloride ◽  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Water Distribution Systems ◽  
Chloride Concentration ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Planktonic Cells

Background and Objectives: Legionnaires’ disease continues to be a public health concern. Colonized water distribution systems are often implicated in Legionella transmission, despite the use of various disinfection strategies, the bacterium is capable to persist and survive in water systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the persistence of Legionella pneumophila to sodium chloride over time at different temperatures and analysing the role of biofilms in the survival of this bacteria. Materials and Methods: L. pneumophila serogroup 1 and L. pneumophila serogroup 2-15 were used to study the effect of sodium chloride on planktonic and sessile cells. The tested concentrations were: 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 6% and 8% (W/V) NaCl. Biofilms were grown on 24-well microplates. Results: At 20°C, L. pneumophila planktonic cells were able to survive in sodium chloride concentrations up to 2%. How- ever, at 37°C, a sodium chloride concentration over 1.5%, reduced systematically the numbers of bacterial cells. Biofilms were grown for 20 days in the absence and presence of sodium chloride. The results show that bacterial strains were able to survive and regrow after the sodium chloride shock (2-3%). Moreover, it seems that this effect is less expressed with the age of the biofilm; old biofilms were more persistent than the young ones. Conclusion: Results from this study demonstrate that the sodium chloride disinfection strategy was effective on Legionella pneumophila planktonic cells but not on biofilms, which demonstrate the role of biofilms in the persistence and recoloniza- tion of L. pneumophila in water distribution systems.

scholarly journals Exploring perspectives on antimicrobial stewardship: a qualitative study of health managers in Kenya

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel MUNGAI Mbugua ◽  
George Njoroge ◽  
Caroline Kijogi ◽  
Moses Kamita ◽  
Rachel Kimani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Sensitivity Testing ◽  
Therapeutics Committee ◽  
Health Managers

Abstract Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a significant public health concern with the establishment of antimicrobial stewardship in hospitals being obligatory now more than ever. The perspectives and insights of health managers on antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), the complementary health services and building blocks are imperative towards implementation of robust antimicrobial stewardship programs. This study aimed to understand the perspectives of hospital managers to AMS and identify areas of management engagement and addressing potential blockades to change.Methods: A cross-sectional, qualitative, multicenter study was conducted in three hospitals in Kenya. Key-informant, face-to-face interviews with hospital health managers were carried out on their perspectives on antimicrobial stewardship. Qualitative data was captured using audio tapes and field notes, transcribed and managed using NVivo 12 software. An iterative process was used to develop the thematic framework and updated in two rounds of iteration analysis. Analysis charts for each emergent theme were developed and categorized across all participants.Results: Perspectives on antimicrobial stewardship are described in five thematic categories; Importance of antimicrobial stewardship and the role of medicines and therapeutics committee, availability of an antimicrobial formulary and usage surveillance systems, laboratory competency and recommendations for infection prevention and management, educational resources and communications channels available, building blocks and low-lying fruits for Antimicrobial Stewardship Committees. The role of stewardship collaboration in diagnosis and antimicrobial prescription was alluded to with managers indicating a growing rise in occurrence of antimicrobial resistance. There was no contextualized, hospital specific antimicrobial formulary based on the local antibiograms in any of the hospitals. Lack of adequate laboratory competency was a major deficit with most hospitals lacking culture and sensitivity testing services. Staff training and communication channels were available in varying capacity across the three hospitals. Building blocks identified include medicines and therapeutics committee, education, and training platforms (Continuous Medical Education and Continuous Professional Development activities) and hospital leadership commitment towards antimicrobial stewardship.Conclusions: The practice of antimicrobial stewardship is not implemented and well developed in the sampled healthcare facilities as demonstrated by lack of core AMS complementary health services. However, the health managers are aware of the fundamental importance of antimicrobial stewardship programs and the vast benefits of implementation and institutionalization of AMS to the hospital and its clients alike. The findings underpin the importance of understanding and incorporating the perspectives of health managers on the existing contextual mechanisms that can be leveraged on to establish robust Antimicrobial Stewardship programs in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

scholarly journals Exploring perspectives on antimicrobial stewardship: a qualitative study of health managers in Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Mungai Mbugua ◽  
George Njoroge ◽  
Caroline Kijogi ◽  
Moses Kamita ◽  
Rachel Kimani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Hospital Managers ◽  
Therapeutics Committee ◽  
Health Managers

Abstract Background Antimicrobial resistance is a significant public health concern with the establishment of antimicrobial stewardship in hospitals being increasingly obligatory. Perspectives and insights of health managers on antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), complementary health services and building blocks are imperative towards implementation of robust AMS programs. This study aimed to understand perspectives of hospital managers on AMS and identify areas of management engagement while addressing potential blockades to change. Methods A cross-sectional, qualitative, multicenter study was conducted in three hospitals in Kenya. Key-informant interviews on perspectives on AMS were administered to hospital managers. Qualitative data was captured using audio tapes and field notes, transcribed and managed using NVivo 12 software. An iterative process was used to develop the thematic framework and updated in two rounds of iteration analysis. Analysis charts for each emergent theme were developed and categorized across all participants. Results Perspectives on AMS are described in five thematic categories; Importance of antimicrobial stewardship and the role of medicines and therapeutics committee, availability of antimicrobial formulary and usage surveillance systems, laboratory competency and recommendations for infection prevention and management, educational resources and communications channels available, building blocks and low-lying fruits for Antimicrobial Stewardship Committees. The role of stewardship collaboration in diagnosis and antimicrobial prescription was alluded to with managers indicating a growing rise in occurrence of antimicrobial resistance. There lacked contextualized, hospital specific antimicrobial formulary and adequate laboratory competency. Staff training and communication channels were available in varying capacity across the three hospitals. Building blocks identified include medicines and therapeutics committee, education, and training platforms (Continuous Medical Education and Continuous Professional Development activities) and hospital leadership commitment. Conclusions The practice of antimicrobial stewardship is not implemented and well developed as demonstrated by lack of core AMS complementary health services. However, the health managers are aware of the fundamental importance of antimicrobial stewardship programs and the vast benefits of implementation and institutionalization of AMS to hospitals and their clients. The findings underpin the importance of understanding and incorporating perspectives of health managers on existing contextual mechanisms that can be leveraged on to establish robust AMS programs in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

scholarly journals Exploring perspectives on antimicrobial stewardship: a qualitative study of health managers in Kenya

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Mungai Mbugua ◽  
George Njoroge ◽  
Caroline Kijogi ◽  
Moses Kamita ◽  
Rachel Kimani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Hospital Managers ◽  
Therapeutics Committee ◽  
Health Managers

Abstract Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a significant public health concern with the establishment of antimicrobial stewardship in hospitals being increasingly obligatory. Perspectives and insights of health managers on antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), complementary health services and building blocks are imperative towards implementation of robust AMS programs. This study aimed to understand perspectives of hospital managers on AMS and identify areas of management engagement while addressing potential blockades to change.Methods: A cross-sectional, qualitative, multicenter study was conducted in three hospitals in Kenya. Key-informant interviews on perspectives on AMS were administered to hospital managers. Qualitative data was captured using audio tapes and field notes, transcribed and managed using NVivo 12 software. An iterative process was used to develop the thematic framework and updated in two rounds of iteration analysis. Analysis charts for each emergent theme were developed and categorized across all participants.Results: Perspectives on AMS are described in five thematic categories; Importance of antimicrobial stewardship and the role of medicines and therapeutics committee, availability of antimicrobial formulary and usage surveillance systems, laboratory competency and recommendations for infection prevention and management, educational resources and communications channels available, building blocks and low-lying fruits for Antimicrobial Stewardship Committees. The role of stewardship collaboration in diagnosis and antimicrobial prescription was alluded to with managers indicating a growing rise in occurrence of antimicrobial resistance. There lacked contextualized, hospital specific antimicrobial formulary and adequate laboratory competency. Staff training and communication channels were available in varying capacity across the three hospitals. Building blocks identified include medicines and therapeutics committee, education, and training platforms (Continuous Medical Education and Continuous Professional Development activities) and hospital leadership commitment.Conclusions: The practice of antimicrobial stewardship is not implemented and well developed as demonstrated by lack of core AMS complementary health services. However, the health managers are aware of the fundamental importance of antimicrobial stewardship programs and the vast benefits of implementation and institutionalization of AMS to hospitals and their clients. The findings underpin the importance of understanding and incorporating perspectives of health managers on existing contextual mechanisms that can be leveraged on to establish robust AMS programs in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

scholarly journals Exploring Perspectives on Antimicrobial Stewardship: A Qualitative Study of Health Managers in Kenya

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Mungai Mbugua ◽  
George Njoroge ◽  
Caroline Kijogi ◽  
Moses Kamita ◽  
Rachel Kimani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Sensitivity Testing ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Therapeutics Committee ◽  
Health Managers

Abstract Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a significant public health concern with the establishment of antimicrobial stewardship in hospitals being obligatory now more than ever. The perspectives and insights of health managers on antimicrobial stewardship, the complementary health services and building blocks are imperative towards implementation of robust antimicrobial stewardship programs.Methods: A cross-sectional, qualitative, multicenter study was conducted in three hospitals in Kenya. Key-informant, face-to-face interviews with hospital health managers were carried out on their perspectives on antimicrobial stewardship. Qualitative data was captured using audio tapes and field notes, transcribed and managed using QSR Nvivo 12 software. An iterative process was used to develop the thematic framework and updated in two rounds of iteration analysis. Analysis charts for each emergent theme were developed and categorized across all participants.Results: Perspectives on antimicrobial stewardship are described in five thematic categories; Importance of antimicrobial stewardship and the role of medicines and therapeutics committee, availability of an antimicrobial formulary and usage surveillance systems, Laboratory competency and recommendations for infection prevention and management, Educational resources and communications channels available, Building blocks and low-lying fruits for ASCs. The role of stewardship collaboration in diagnosis and antimicrobial prescription was alluded to with managers indicating a growing rise in occurrence of antimicrobial resistance. There was no contextualized, hospital specific antimicrobial formulary based on the local antibiograms in any of the hospitals. Lack of adequate laboratory competency was a major deficit with most hospitals lacking culture and sensitivity testing services. Staff training and communication channels were available in varying capacity across the three hospitals. Building blocks identified include medicines and therapeutics committee, education and training platforms (CMEs and CPDs) and hospital leadership commitment towards antimicrobial stewardship.Conclusions: The findings underpin the importance of understanding and incorporating the perspectives of health managers on the existing contextual mechanisms that can be leveraged on to establish robust AMS programs in the fight against AMR.

scholarly journals Tracking of Antibiotic Resistance Transfer and Rapid Plasmid Evolution in a Hospital Setting by Nanopore Sequencing

mSphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Silke Peter ◽  
Mattia Bosio ◽  
Caspar Gross ◽  
Daniela Bezdan ◽  
Javier Gutierrez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Transfer ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Resistance Gene ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Plasmid Transfer ◽  
Nanopore Sequencing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance Gene

ABSTRACT Infections with multidrug-resistant bacteria often leave limited or no treatment options. The transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARG) carrying plasmids between bacterial species by horizontal gene transfer represents an important mode of expansion of ARGs. Here, we demonstrate the application of Nanopore sequencing in a hospital setting for monitoring transfer and rapid evolution of antibiotic resistance plasmids within and across multiple species. In 2009, we experienced an outbreak with extensively multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa harboring the carbapenemase-encoding blaIMP-8 gene. In 2012, the first Citrobacter freundii and Citrobacter cronae strains harboring the same gene were detected. Using Nanopore and Illumina sequencing, we conducted comparative analysis of all blaIMP-8 bacteria isolated in our hospital over a 6-year period (n = 54). We developed the computational platform plasmIDent for Nanopore-based characterization of clinical isolates and monitoring of ARG transfer, comprising de novo assembly of genomes and plasmids, plasmid circularization, ARG annotation, comparative genome analysis of multiple isolates, and visualization of results. Using plasmIDent, we identified a 40-kb plasmid carrying blaIMP-8 in P. aeruginosa and C. freundii, verifying the plasmid transfer. Within C. freundii, the plasmid underwent further evolution and plasmid fusion, resulting in a 164-kb megaplasmid, which was transferred to C. cronae. Multiple rearrangements of the multidrug resistance gene cassette were detected in P. aeruginosa, including deletions and translocations of complete ARGs. In summary, plasmid transfer, plasmid fusion, and rearrangement of the ARG cassette mediated the rapid evolution of opportunistic pathogens in our hospital. We demonstrated the feasibility of near-real-time monitoring of plasmid evolution and ARG transfer in clinical settings, enabling successful countermeasures to contain plasmid-mediated outbreaks. IMPORTANCE Infections with multidrug-resistant bacteria represent a major threat to global health. While the spread of multidrug-resistant bacterial clones is frequently studied in the hospital setting, surveillance of the transfer of mobile genetic elements between different bacterial species was difficult until recent advances in sequencing technologies. Nanopore sequencing technology was applied to track antimicrobial gene transfer in a long-term outbreak of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Citrobacter freundii, and Citrobacter cronae in a German hospital over 6 years. We developed a novel computational pipeline, pathoLogic, which enables de novo assembly of genomes and plasmids, antimicrobial resistance gene annotation and visualization, and comparative analysis. Applying this approach, we detected plasmid transfer between different bacterial species as well as plasmid fusion and frequent rearrangements of the antimicrobial resistance gene cassette. This study demonstrated the feasibility of near-real-time tracking of plasmid-based antimicrobial resistance gene transfer in hospitals, enabling countermeasures to contain plasmid-mediated outbreaks.

scholarly journals Exploring perspectives on antimicrobial stewardship: a qualitative study of health managers in Kenya

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel MUNGAI Mbugua ◽  
George Njoroge ◽  
Caroline Kijogi ◽  
Moses Kamita ◽  
Rachel Kimani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Sensitivity Testing ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Therapeutics Committee ◽  
Health Managers

Abstract Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a significant public health concern with the establishment of antimicrobial stewardship in hospitals being obligatory now more than ever. The perspectives and insights of health managers on antimicrobial stewardship, the complementary health services and building blocks are imperative towards implementation of robust antimicrobial stewardship programs.Methods: A cross-sectional, qualitative, multicenter study was conducted in three hospitals in Kenya. Key-informant, face-to-face interviews with hospital health managers were carried out on their perspectives on antimicrobial stewardship. Qualitative data was captured using audio tapes and field notes, transcribed and managed using QSR Nvivo 12 software. An iterative process was used to develop the thematic framework and updated in two rounds of iteration analysis. Analysis charts for each emergent theme were developed and categorized across all participants.Results: Perspectives on antimicrobial stewardship are described in five thematic categories; Importance of antimicrobial stewardship and the role of medicines and therapeutics committee, availability of an antimicrobial formulary and usage surveillance systems, Laboratory competency and recommendations for infection prevention and management, Educational resources and communications channels available, Building blocks and low-lying fruits for ASCs. The role of stewardship collaboration in diagnosis and antimicrobial prescription was alluded to with managers indicating a growing rise in occurrence of antimicrobial resistance. There was no contextualized, hospital specific antimicrobial formulary based on the local antibiograms in any of the hospitals. Lack of adequate laboratory competency was a major deficit with most hospitals lacking culture and sensitivity testing services. Staff training and communication channels were available in varying capacity across the three hospitals. Building blocks identified include medicines and therapeutics committee, education and training platforms (CMEs and CPDs) and hospital leadership commitment towards antimicrobial stewardship.Conclusions: The findings underpin the importance of understanding and incorporating the perspectives of health managers on the existing contextual mechanisms that can be leveraged on to establish robust AMS programs in the fight against AMR.

scholarly journals Staphylococcus epidermidis Phages Transduce Antimicrobial Resistance Plasmids and Mobilize Chromosomal Islands

mSphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lenka Fišarová ◽  
Tibor Botka ◽  
Xin Du ◽  
Ivana Mašlaňová ◽  
Pavol Bárdy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Transfer ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Horizontal Gene Transfer ◽  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Staphylococcus Epidermidis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance Genes ◽  
Evolutionary Relatedness ◽  
Resistance Plasmids

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus epidermidis is a leading opportunistic pathogen causing nosocomial infections that is notable for its ability to form a biofilm and for its high rates of antibiotic resistance. It serves as a reservoir of multiple antimicrobial resistance genes that spread among the staphylococcal population by horizontal gene transfer such as transduction. While phage-mediated transduction is well studied in Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis transducing phages have not been described in detail yet. Here, we report the characteristics of four phages, 27, 48, 456, and 459, previously used for S. epidermidis phage typing, and the newly isolated phage E72, from a clinical S. epidermidis strain. The phages, classified in the family Siphoviridae and genus Phietavirus, exhibited an S. epidermidis-specific host range, and together they infected 49% of the 35 strains tested. A whole-genome comparison revealed evolutionary relatedness to transducing S. aureus phietaviruses. In accordance with this, all the tested phages were capable of transduction with high frequencies up to 10−4 among S. epidermidis strains from different clonal complexes. Plasmids with sizes from 4 to 19 kb encoding resistance to streptomycin, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol were transferred. We provide here the first evidence of a phage-inducible chromosomal island transfer in S. epidermidis. Similarly to S. aureus pathogenicity islands, the transfer was accompanied by phage capsid remodeling; however, the interfering protein encoded by the island was distinct. Our findings underline the role of S. epidermidis temperate phages in the evolution of S. epidermidis strains by horizontal gene transfer, which can also be utilized for S. epidermidis genetic studies. IMPORTANCE Multidrug-resistant strains of S. epidermidis emerge in both nosocomial and livestock environments as the most important pathogens among coagulase-negative staphylococcal species. The study of transduction by phages is essential to understanding how virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes spread in originally commensal bacterial populations. In this work, we provide a detailed description of transducing S. epidermidis phages. The high transduction frequencies of antimicrobial resistance plasmids and the first evidence of chromosomal island transfer emphasize the decisive role of S. epidermidis phages in attaining a higher pathogenic potential of host strains. To date, such importance has been attributed only to S. aureus phages, not to those of coagulase-negative staphylococci. This study also proved that the described transducing bacteriophages represent valuable genetic modification tools in S. epidermidis strains where other methods for gene transfer fail.

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