scholarly journals Enterococcal Physiology and Antimicrobial Resistance: The Streetlight Just Got a Little Brighter

mBio ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis B. Rice
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Enterococcus Faecalis ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Acquired Resistance ◽  
Complex Phenomenon ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Intrinsic Resistance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Resistance Determinants

ABSTRACT Enterococcus faecalis differs from many other common human pathogens in its physiology and in its susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. Multiresistant E. faecalis strains owe their phenotypes to a combination of intrinsic and acquired antimicrobial resistance determinants. Acquired resistance is due to E. faecalis frequenting multicultural environments, its capacity to mate with different species, and the nullification of its own defense mechanisms in some lineages. Intrinsic resistance is a complex phenomenon that is intimately tied to the physiology of the species. In their recent study in mBio, Gilmore and colleagues (M. S. Gilmore, R. Salamzade, E. Selleck, N. Bryan, et al., mBio 11:e02962-20, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.02962-20) use functional genomics to explore the genetic underpinnings of E. faecalis physiology and antimicrobial resistance. While they do not come up with many definitive answers, their work points the way toward new and fruitful areas of investigation.

scholarly journals Intrinsic Antimicrobial Resistance Determinants in the Superbug Pseudomonas aeruginosa

mBio ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Justine L. Murray ◽  
Taejoon Kwon ◽  
Edward M. Marcotte ◽  
Marvin Whiteley
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Good Predictor ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Intrinsic Resistance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Resistance Determinants

ABSTRACT Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria pose a serious threat in the clinic. This is particularly true for opportunistic pathogens that possess high intrinsic resistance. Though many studies have focused on understanding the acquisition of bacterial resistance upon exposure to antimicrobials, the mechanisms controlling intrinsic resistance are not well understood. In this study, we subjected the model opportunistic superbug Pseudomonas aeruginosa to 14 antimicrobials under highly controlled conditions and assessed its response using expression- and fitness-based genomic approaches. Our results reveal that gene expression changes and mutant fitness in response to sub-MIC antimicrobials do not correlate on a genomewide scale, indicating that gene expression is not a good predictor of fitness determinants. In general, fewer fitness determinants were identified for antiseptics and disinfectants than for antibiotics. Analysis of gene expression and fitness data together allowed the prediction of antagonistic interactions between antimicrobials and insight into the molecular mechanisms controlling these interactions. IMPORTANCE Infections involving multidrug-resistant pathogens are difficult to treat because the therapeutic options are limited. These infections impose a significant financial burden on infected patients and on health care systems. Despite years of antimicrobial resistance research, we lack a comprehensive understanding of the intrinsic mechanisms controlling antimicrobial resistance. This work uses two fine-scale genomic approaches to identify genetic loci important for antimicrobial resistance of the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Our results reveal that antibiotics have more resistance determinants than antiseptics/disinfectants and that gene expression upon exposure to antimicrobials is not a good predictor of these resistance determinants. In addition, we show that when used together, genomewide gene expression and fitness profiling can provide mechanistic insights into multidrug resistance mechanisms.

scholarly journals Convergence of PASTA Kinase and Two-Component Signaling in Response to Cell Wall Stress inEnterococcus faecalis

2018 ◽  
Vol 200 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie L. Kellogg ◽  
Christopher J. Kristich
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Enterococcus Faecalis ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Intrinsic Resistance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Signaling Systems ◽  
Changing Environments ◽  
Two Component

ABSTRACTTwo common signal transduction mechanisms used by bacteria to sense and respond to changing environments are two-component systems (TCSs) and eukaryote-like Ser/Thr kinases and phosphatases (eSTK/Ps).Enterococcus faecalisis a Gram-positive bacterium and a serious opportunistic pathogen that relies on both a TCS and an eSTK/P pathway for intrinsic resistance to cell wall-targeting antibiotics. The TCS consists of a histidine kinase (CroS) and a response regulator (CroR) that become activated upon exposure of cells to cell wall-targeting antibiotics, leading to a modulation of gene expression. The eSTK/P pathway consists of a transmembrane kinase (IreK) and its cognate phosphatase (IreP), which act antagonistically to mediate antibiotic resistance through an unknown mechanism. Because both CroS/R and IreK/P contribute to enterococcal resistance toward cell wall-targeting antibiotics, we hypothesized that these signaling systems are intertwined. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed CroR phosphorylation and CroS/R-dependent gene expression to probe the influence of IreK and IreP on CroS/R signaling. In addition, we analyzed the phosphorylation state of CroS, which revealed the IreK-dependent phosphorylation of a Thr residue important for CroS function. Our results are consistent with a model in which IreK positively influences CroR-dependent gene expression through the phosphorylation of CroS to promote antimicrobial resistance inE. faecalis.IMPORTANCETwo-component signaling systems (TCSs) and eukaryote-like Ser/Thr kinases (eSTKs) are used by bacteria to sense and adapt to changing environments. Understanding how these pathways are regulated to promote bacterial survival is critical for a more complete understanding of bacterial stress responses and physiology. The opportunistic pathogenEnterococcus faecalisrelies on both a TCS (CroS/R) and an eSTK (IreK) for intrinsic resistance to cell wall-targeting antibiotics. We probed the relationship between CroS/R and IreK, revealing the convergence of IreK and the sensor kinase CroS to enhance signaling through CroS/R and increase antimicrobial resistance inE. faecalis. This newly described example of eSTK/TCS convergence adds to our understanding of the signaling networks mediating antimicrobial resistance inE. faecalis.

scholarly journals Establishing Genotypic Cutoff Values To Measure Antimicrobial Resistance in Salmonella

2016 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory H. Tyson ◽  
Shaohua Zhao ◽  
Cong Li ◽  
Sherry Ayers ◽  
Jonathan L. Sabo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Acquired Resistance ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Phenotypic Resistance ◽  
Large Scale Assessment ◽  
Resistance Determinants ◽  
Cutoff Values

ABSTRACT Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has transformed our understanding of antimicrobial resistance, helping us to better identify and track the genetic mechanisms underlying phenotypic resistance. Previous studies have demonstrated high correlations between phenotypic resistance and the presence of known resistance determinants. However, there has never been a large-scale assessment of how well resistance genotypes correspond to specific MICs. We performed antimicrobial susceptibility testing and WGS of 1,738 nontyphoidal Salmonella strains to correlate over 20,000 MICs with resistance determinants. Using these data, we established what we term genotypic cutoff values (GCVs) for 13 antimicrobials against Salmonella. For the drugs we tested, we define a GCV as the highest MIC of isolates in a population devoid of known acquired resistance mechanisms. This definition of GCV is distinct from epidemiological cutoff values (ECVs or ECOFFs), which currently differentiate wild-type from non-wild-type strains based on MIC distributions alone without regard to genetic information. Due to the large number of isolates involved, we observed distinct MIC distributions for isolates with different resistance gene alleles, including for ciprofloxacin and tetracycline, suggesting the potential to predict MICs based on WGS data alone.

scholarly journals Impact of Feed Supplementation with Antimicrobial Agents on Growth Performance of Broiler Chickens, Clostridium perfringens and Enterococcus Counts, and Antibiotic Resistance Phenotypes and Distribution of Antimicrobial Resistance Determinants in Escherichia coli Isolates

2007 ◽  
Vol 73 (20) ◽  
pp. 6566-6576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moussa S. Diarra ◽  
Fred G. Silversides ◽  
Fatoumata Diarrassouba ◽  
Jane Pritchard ◽  
Luke Masson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Growth Promoters ◽  
Feed Supplementation ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Resistance Determinants ◽  
Class 1

ABSTRACT The effects of feed supplementation with the approved antimicrobial agents bambermycin, penicillin, salinomycin, and bacitracin or a combination of salinomycin plus bacitracin were evaluated for the incidence and distribution of antibiotic resistance in 197 commensal Escherichia coli isolates from broiler chickens over 35 days. All isolates showed some degree of multiple antibiotic resistance. Resistance to tetracycline (68.5%), amoxicillin (61.4%), ceftiofur (51.3%), spectinomycin (47.2%), and sulfonamides (42%) was most frequent. The levels of resistance to streptomycin, chloramphenicol, and gentamicin were 33.5, 35.5, and 25.3%, respectively. The overall resistance levels decreased from day 7 to day 35 (P < 0.001). Comparing treatments, the levels of resistance to ceftiofur, spectinomycin, and gentamicin (except for resistance to bacitracin treatment) were significantly higher in isolates from chickens receiving feed supplemented with salinomycin than from the other feeds (P < 0.001). Using a DNA microarray analysis capable of detecting commonly found antimicrobial resistance genes, we characterized 104 tetracycline-resistant E. coli isolates from 7- to 28-day-old chickens fed different growth promoters. Results showed a decrease in the incidence of isolates harboring tet(B), bla TEM, sulI, and aadA and class 1 integron from days 7 to 35 (P < 0.01). Of the 84 tetracycline-ceftiofur-resistant E. coli isolates, 76 (90.5%) were positive for bla CMY-2. The proportions of isolates positive for sulI, aadA, and integron class 1 were significantly higher in salinomycin-treated chickens than in the control or other treatment groups (P < 0.05). These data demonstrate that multiantibiotic-resistant E. coli isolates can be found in broiler chickens regardless of the antimicrobial growth promoters used. However, the phenotype and the distribution of resistance determinants in E. coli can be modulated by feed supplementation with some of the antimicrobial agents used in broiler chicken production.

scholarly journals Evidence for Inhibition of Topoisomerase 1A by Gold(III) Macrocycles and Chelates TargetingMycobacterium tuberculosisandMycobacterium abscessus

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashmi Gupta ◽  
Carolina Rodrigues Felix ◽  
Matthew P. Akerman ◽  
Kate J. Akerman ◽  
Cathryn A. Slabber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Abscessus ◽  
Cross Resistance ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Intrinsic Resistance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Scalable Synthesis ◽  
High Level ◽  
Novel Drug

ABSTRACTMycobacterium tuberculosisand the fast-growing speciesMycobacterium abscessusare two important human pathogens causing persistent pulmonary infections that are difficult to cure and require long treatment times. The emergence of drug-resistantM. tuberculosisstrains and the high level of intrinsic resistance ofM. abscessuscall for novel drug scaffolds that effectively target both pathogens. In this study, we evaluated the activity of bis(pyrrolide-imine) gold(III) macrocycles and chelates, originally designed as DNA intercalators capable of targeting human topoisomerase types I and II (Topo1 and Topo2), againstM. abscessusandM. tuberculosis. We identified a total of 5 noncytotoxic compounds active against both mycobacterial pathogens under replicatingin vitroconditions. We chose one of these hits, compound 14, for detailed analysis due to its potent bactericidal mode of inhibition and scalable synthesis. The clinical relevance of this compound was demonstrated by its ability to inhibit a panel of diverseM. tuberculosisandM. abscessusclinical isolates. Prompted by previous data suggesting that compound 14 may target topoisomerase/gyrase enzymes, we demonstrated that it lacked cross-resistance with fluoroquinolones, which target theM. tuberculosisgyrase.In vitroenzyme assays confirmed the potent activity of compound 14 against bacterial topoisomerase 1A (Topo1) enzymes but not gyrase. Novel scaffolds like compound 14 with potent, selective bactericidal activity againstM. tuberculosisandM. abscessusthat act on validated but underexploited targets like Topo1 represent a promising starting point for the development of novel therapeutics for infections by pathogenic mycobacteria.

scholarly journals Phylogenetic Characterization Reveals Prevalent Shigella flexneri ST100 Clone in Beijing, China, 2005 to 2018

mSphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lang Yang ◽  
Bing Lü ◽  
Quanyi Wang ◽  
Kaiying Wang ◽  
Yanfeng Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Bacillary Dysentery ◽  
Shigella Flexneri ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Phylogenetic Characterization ◽  
Local Expansion ◽  
Resistance Determinants ◽  
Genetic Features ◽  
Beijing China

ABSTRACT Shigella flexneri is a major cause of bacillary dysentery in Beijing, China. The genetic features and population structure of locally circulating clones remained unclear. In this study, we sequenced the genomes of 93 S. flexneri isolates from patients in Beijing from 2005 to 2018. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a predominant lineage comprised of ST100 isolates that had acquired an extensive repertoire of antimicrobial resistance determinants. A rapid local expansion of the largest clade of this lineage began in 2008 and gradually resulted in the dominance of serotype 2a. Other clades showed substantial evidence of interregional spread from other areas of China. Another lineage consisting of ST18 isolates was also identified and appeared to have persisted locally for nearly 6 decades. These findings suggest that S. flexneri epidemics in Beijing were caused by both local expansion and interregional transmission. IMPORTANCE Beijing is the largest transportation hub in China, with a highly mobile population. Shigella flexneri is a major cause of bacillary dysentery in Beijing. However, little is known about the genetic features and population structure of locally circulating S. flexneri clones. Whole-genome sequencing of 93 S. flexneri isolates revealed that S. flexneri epidemics in Beijing were predominantly caused by an ST100 clone. Interregional spread, rapid local expansion, and acquirement of antimicrobial resistance determinants have cocontributed to the epidemics of this clone. Another ST18 clone was also identified and showed long-term colonization in Beijing. Our study provides comprehensive insights into the population structure and evolutionary history of S. flexneri in Beijing.

scholarly journals Complete Genome Sequence of Acinetobacter radioresistens Strain LH6, a Multidrug-Resistant Bacteriophage-Propagating Strain

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clay S. Crippen ◽  
Steven Huynh ◽  
William G. Miller ◽  
Craig T. Parker ◽  
Christine M. Szymanski
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Genome Sequence ◽  
Complete Genome Sequence ◽  
Related Species ◽  
Complete Genome ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Resistance Determinants

Antimicrobial resistance is a major problem worldwide. Understanding the interplay between drug-resistant pathogens, such as Acinetobacter baumannii and related species, potentially acting as environmental reservoirs is critical for preventing the spread of resistance determinants.

scholarly journals Genome Sequences of Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella enterica Serovar Dublin Isolates

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (31) ◽  
Author(s):  
Baha Abdalhamid ◽  
Emily L. Mccutchen ◽  
Kacie D. Flaherty ◽  
Steven H. Hinrichs ◽  
Peter C. Iwen
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Salmonella Enterica ◽  
Draft Genome ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Resistance Determinants ◽  
Human Samples ◽  
Systemic Infections ◽  
Salmonella Enterica Serovar Dublin

Salmonella enterica serovar Dublin, which can cause enteritis and systemic infections in humans, has been associated with antimicrobial resistance. Here, we report draft genome sequences of seven multidrug-resistant S. Dublin isolates from human samples. These sequences will contribute to an understanding of pathogenesis and resistance determinants in this serovar.

scholarly journals Landscape of Resistance-Nodulation-Cell Division (RND)-Type Efflux Pumps in Enterobacter cloacae Complex

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 2373-2382 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Guérin ◽  
Claire Lallement ◽  
Christophe Isnard ◽  
Anne Dhalluin ◽  
Vincent Cattoir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Acquired Resistance ◽  
Enterobacter Cloacae ◽  
Efflux Pumps ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Active Efflux

ABSTRACTIn Gram-negative bacteria, the active efflux is an important mechanism of antimicrobial resistance, but little is known about theEnterobacter cloacaecomplex (ECC). It is mediated primarily by pumps belonging to the RND (resistance-nodulation-cell division) family, and only AcrB, part of the AcrAB-TolC tripartite system, was characterized in ECC. However, detailed genome sequence analysis of the strainE. cloacaesubsp.cloacaeATCC 13047 revealed to us that 10 other genes putatively coded for RND-type transporters. We then characterized the role of all of these candidates by construction of corresponding deletion mutants, which were tested for their antimicrobial susceptibility to 36 compounds, their virulence in the invertebrateGalleria mellonellamodel of infection, and their ability to form biofilm. Only the ΔacrBmutant displayed significantly different phenotypes compared to that of the wild-type strain: 4- to 32-fold decrease of MICs of several antibiotics, antiseptics, and dyes, increased production of biofilm, and attenuated virulence inG. mellonella. In order to identify specific substrates of each pump, we individually expressed intransall operons containing an RND pump-encoding gene into the ΔacrBhypersusceptible strain. We showed that three other RND-type efflux systems (ECL_00053-00055, ECL_01758-01759, and ECL_02124-02125) were able to partially restore the wild-type phenotype and to superadd to and even enlarge the broad range of antimicrobial resistance. This is the first global study assessing the role of all RND efflux pumps chromosomally encoded by the ECC, which confirms the major role of AcrB in both pathogenicity and resistance and the potential involvement of other RND-type members in acquired resistance.

scholarly journals Neisseria gonorrhoeae Sequence Typing for Antimicrobial Resistance, a Novel Antimicrobial Resistance Multilocus Typing Scheme for Tracking Global Dissemination of N. gonorrhoeae Strains

2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 1454-1468 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Demczuk ◽  
S. Sidhu ◽  
M. Unemo ◽  
D. M. Whiley ◽  
V. G. Allen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
23S Rrna ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Typing Scheme ◽  
Resistance Determinants ◽  
Index Value ◽  
User Friendly

ABSTRACTA curated Web-based user-friendly sequence typing tool based on antimicrobial resistance determinants inNeisseria gonorrhoeaewas developed and is publicly accessible (https://ngstar.canada.ca). TheN. gonorrhoeaeSequence Typing for Antimicrobial Resistance (NG-STAR) molecular typing scheme uses the DNA sequences of 7 genes (penA,mtrR,porB,ponA,gyrA,parC, and 23S rRNA) associated with resistance to β-lactam antimicrobials, macrolides, or fluoroquinolones. NG-STAR uses the entirepenAsequence, combining the historical nomenclature forpenAtypes I to XXXVIII with novel nucleotide sequence designations; the fullmtrRsequence and a portion of its promoter region; portions ofponA,porB,gyrA, andparC; and 23S rRNA sequences. NG-STAR grouped 768 isolates into 139 sequence types (STs) (n= 660) consisting of 29 clonal complexes (CCs) having a maximum of a single-locus variation, and 76 NG-STAR STs (n= 109) were identified as unrelated singletons. NG-STAR had a high Simpson's diversity index value of 96.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.959 to 0.969). The most common STs were NG-STAR ST-90 (n= 100; 13.0%), ST-42 and ST-91 (n= 45; 5.9%), ST-64 (n= 44; 5.72%), and ST-139 (n= 42; 5.5%). Decreased susceptibility to azithromycin was associated with NG-STAR ST-58, ST-61, ST-64, ST-79, ST-91, and ST-139 (n= 156; 92.3%); decreased susceptibility to cephalosporins was associated with NG-STAR ST-90, ST-91, and ST-97 (n= 162; 94.2%); and ciprofloxacin resistance was associated with NG-STAR ST-26, ST-90, ST-91, ST-97, ST-150, and ST-158 (n= 196; 98.0%). All isolates of NG-STAR ST-42, ST-43, ST-63, ST-81, and ST-160 (n= 106) were susceptible to all four antimicrobials. The standardization of nomenclature associated with antimicrobial resistance determinants through an internationally available database will facilitate the monitoring of the global dissemination of antimicrobial-resistantN. gonorrhoeaestrains.

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