scholarly journals Exposure to One Antibiotic Leads to Acquisition of Resistance to Another Antibiotic via Quorum Sensing Mechanisms

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Che-Chi Shu ◽  
Wan-Ci Chen ◽  
Yao-Duo Chang ◽  
Jyy-Ning Chen ◽  
Feng-You Liu ◽  
...  

The vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) have progressively become a severe medical problem. Although clinics have started to reduce vancomycin prescription, vancomycin resistance has not been contained. We found that the transfer of vancomycin resistance in Enterococcus faecalis increased more than 30-fold upon treatment by streptomycin. Notably, treatment with an antibiotic caused the bacteria to become resistant to another. The response was even stronger in the well-studied plasmid pCF10 and the number of transconjugants increased about 100,000-fold. We tested four different antibiotics, and all of them induced conjugal response. Through a mathematical model based on gene regulation, we found a plausible explanation. Via quorum sensing, the change of the cell density triggers the conjugation. Moreover, we searched for generality and found a similar strategy in Bacillus subtilis. The outcome of the present study suggests that even common antibiotics must not be overused.

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0255187
Author(s):  
Mushtaq T. S. AL Rubaye ◽  
Jessin Janice ◽  
Jørgen Vildershøj Bjørnholt ◽  
Aleksandra Jakovljev ◽  
Maria Elisabeth Hultström ◽  
...  

Background Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) represent several types of transferable vancomycin resistance gene clusters. The vanD type, associated with moderate to high level vancomycin resistance, has only sporadically been described in clinical isolates. The aim of this study was to perform a genetic characterization of the first VanD-type VRE strains detected in Norway. Methods The VanD-type VRE-strains (n = 6) from two patient cases were examined by antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole genome sequencing (WGS) to uncover Van-phenotype, strain phylogeny, the vanD gene clusters, and their genetic surroundings. The putative transferability of vanD was examined by circularization PCR and filter mating. Results The VanD-type Enterococcus faecium (n = 4) and Enterococcus casseliflavus (n = 2) strains recovered from two cases (A and B), expressed moderate to high level vancomycin resistance (MIC 64—>256 mg/L) and various levels of teicoplanin susceptibility (MIC 2—>256 mg/L). WGS analyses revealed phylogenetically different E. faecium strains (A1, A2, and A3 of case A and B1 from case B) as well as vanD gene clusters located on different novel genomic islands (GIs). The E. casseliflavus strains (B2 and B3 of case B) were not clonally related, but harbored nearly identical novel GIs. The vanD cluster of case B strains represents a novel vanD-subtype. All the vanD-GIs were integrated at the same chromosomal site and contained genes consistent with a Clostridiales origin. Circular forms of the vanD-GIs were detected in all strains except B1. Transfer of vanD to an E. faecium recipient was unsuccessful. Conclusions We describe the first VanD-type E. casseliflavus strains, a novel vanD-subtype, and three novel vanD-GIs with a genetic content consistent with a Clostridiales order origin. Despite temporal occurrence, case A and B E. faecium strains were phylogenetically diverse and harbored different vanD subtypes and vanD-GIs.


2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (47) ◽  
Author(s):  
G Werner ◽  
T M Coque ◽  
A M Hammerum ◽  
R Hope ◽  
W Hryniewicz ◽  
...  

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) first appeared in the late 1980s in a few European countries. Nowadays, six types of acquired vancomycin resistance in enterococci are known; however, only VanA and to a lesser extent VanB are widely prevalent. Various genes encode acquired vancomycin resistance and these are typically associated with mobile genetic elements which allow resistance to spread clonally and laterally. The major reservoir of acquired vancomycin resistance is Enterococcus faecium; vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis are still rare. Population analysis of E. faecium has revealed a distinct subpopulation of hospital-acquired strain types, which can be differentiated by molecular typing methods (MLVA, MLST) from human commensal and animal strains. Hospital-acquired E. faecium have additional genomic content (accessory genome) including several factors known or supposed to be virulence-associated. Acquired ampicillin resistance is a major phenotypic marker of hospital-acquired E. faecium in Europe and experience has shown that it often precedes increasing rates of VRE with a delay of several years. Several factors are known to promote VRE colonisation and transmission; however, despite having populations with similar predispositions and preconditions, rates of VRE vary all over Europe.


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Blaschitz ◽  
Sarah Lepuschitz ◽  
Laura Wagner ◽  
Franz Allerberger ◽  
Alexander Indra ◽  
...  

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci have emerged as major nosocomial pathogens worldwide. While antimicrobial pressure promotes nosocomial colonization with these enterococci, prolonged exposure to vancomycin may foster the transition from vancomycin resistance to vancomycin dependence. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of a vancomycin-dependent Enterococcus faecium isolate showing partial teicoplanin dependence.


2003 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 1154-1156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria del Mar Lleò ◽  
Barbara Bonato ◽  
Caterina Signoretto ◽  
Pietro Canepari

ABSTRACT Stressed vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) can activate a survival strategy known as the viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state and are able to maintain vancomycin resistance. During restoration of division they continue to express the vancomycin resistance trait. We suggest that VBNC enterococci may constitute further reservoirs of VRE and therefore represent an additional risk for human health.


1989 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. H. C. Uttley ◽  
R. C. George ◽  
J. Naidoo ◽  
N. Woodford ◽  
A. P. Johnson ◽  
...  

SUMMARYNosocomial infection or colonization due to enterococci with high-level resistance to vancomycin (minimal inhibitory concentrations [MICs] between 64 and > 2000 mg/L) has occurred in 41 patients with renal disease. These vancomycin-resistant enterococci were cultured from many sources including blood. All but one strain contained one or more plasmids ranging in molecular weight from 1·0 to 40 Megadaltons (MDa). Vancomycin resistance was transferable by conjugation to a susceptible recipient strain ofEnterococcus faecalisbut this was not always associated with plasmid DNA. The emergence of transferable high-level vancomycin resistance in enterococci causing significant clinical infections is of particular importance since vancomycin is widely regarded as a reserve drug for the management of infections with multi-resistant Gram-positive organisms.


2001 ◽  
Vol 22 (02) ◽  
pp. 116-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda Ostrowsky ◽  
James T. Steinberg ◽  
Barry Farr ◽  
Annette H. Sohn ◽  
Ronda L. Sinkowitz-Cochran ◽  
...  

AbstractAntimicrobial resistance, including vancomycin resistance in enterococci (VRE), is a growing problem in healthcare facilities. This “Reality Check” session focused on the question of whether we should try to detect and isolate patients colonized or infected with VRE.


2003 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 204-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet M. Manson ◽  
Stefanie Keis ◽  
John M. B. Smith ◽  
Gregory M. Cook

ABSTRACT Avoparcin was used as a feed additive in New Zealand broiler production from 1977 until June 2000. We report here on the effects of the usage and discontinuation of avoparcin on the prevalence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in broilers. Eighty-two VRE isolates were recovered from poultry fecal samples between 2000 and mid-2001. VRE isolates were only obtained from broiler farms that were using, or had previously used, avoparcin as a dietary supplement. Of these VRE isolates, 73 (89%) were VanA-type Enterococcus faecalis and nine (11%) were VanA-type Enterococcus faecium. All E. faecalis isolates were found to have an identical or closely related pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern of SmaI-digested DNA and were susceptible to both ampicillin and gentamicin. The PFGE patterns of the nine E. faecium isolates were heterogeneous. All VRE contained both the vanA and ermB genes, which, regardless of species or PFGE pattern, resided on the same plasmid. Eighty-seven percent of the VRE isolates also harbored the tet(M) gene, while for 63 and 100%, respectively, of these isolates, the avilamycin and bacitracin MICs were high (≥256 μg/ml). Five of eight vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis isolates recovered from humans in New Zealand revealed a PFGE pattern identical or closely related to that of the E. faecalis poultry VRE isolates. Molecular characterization of Tn1546-like elements from the VRE showed that identical transposons were present in isolates from poultry and humans. Based on the findings presented here, a clonal lineage of VanA-type E. faecalis dominates in VRE isolated from poultry and humans in New Zealand.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (35) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanja Piezzi ◽  
Michael Gasser ◽  
Andrew Atkinson ◽  
Andreas Kronenberg ◽  
Danielle Vuichard-Gysin ◽  
...  

Background Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), mostly Enterococcus faecium, are multidrug-resistant microorganisms that can cause nosocomial infections. VRE has increased throughout many European countries, but data from Switzerland are scarce. Aim The aim of this work was to characterise the epidemiology of enterococcal bacteraemias in Switzerland with a focus on VRE. Methods In this observational study, we retrospectively investigated bacteraemias from 81 healthcare institutions from January 2013 to December 2018 using data from the Swiss Centre for Antibiotic Resistance. Only the first blood isolate with E. faecalis or E. faecium from an individual patient was considered. We analysed the annual incidences of enterococcal bacteraemias and determined the proportion of VRE over time. We also assessed epidemiological factors potentially associated with VRE bacteraemia. Results We identified 5,369 enterococcal bacteraemias, of which 3,196 (59.5%) were due to E. faecalis and 2,173 (40.5%) to E. faecium. The incidence of enterococcal bacteraemias increased by 3.2% per year (95% confidential interval (CI): 1.6–4.8%), predominantly due to a substantial increase in E. faecalis bacteraemic episodes. Vancomycin resistance affected 30 (1.4%) E. faecium and one E. faecalis bacteraemic episodes. Among all E. faecium bacteraemias, the proportion of vancomycin-resistant isolates increased steadily from 2013 to 2018 (2% per year; 95% CI: 1.5–2.9%). No independent epidemiological factor for higher prevalence of vancomycin-resistant E. faecium bacteraemias was identified. Conclusions Vancomycin-resistant E. faecium bacteraemias remain infrequent in Switzerland. However, an important increase was observed between 2013 and 2018, highlighting the need for implementing active surveillance and targeted prevention strategies in the country.


2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Hassan Ahmed Al-Shammary

Codebook shifting of some clones of Enterococci from normal flora to genotypically and phenotypically foodborne opportunistic and multidrug resistant pathogens in our ecosystem represent dangerous hygienic problem. Seventy-fivepooled milk samples were collectedfrom differentdistricts in Baghdad ecosystem from January until May (2019). Fiftyraw milk samples pooled directly from Cows and milk containers (twenty-five each) and twenty-five imported milk powders pooled from Baghdad markets in which, fifteen samples inspected monthly(five from each brand). Certifiedand modified traitsprofits for isolation and confirmation policy. Frequency and distribution of verified data in Baghdad environment reveled variable results. Seven Enterococcus faecalis phenotypes (9.33 %) recovered from raw milk samples in which, four isolates (5.33 %) recovered from Cows raw milk and three isolates (4 %) recovered from milk containers. None recovered clones founds in imported milk powders. All isolates were biofilm-producers and vancomycin resistant verifiedvia modified Christensen biofilm assay and antibiotics sensitivity test. Monitoring these contamination events with vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecalis needs sophisticated hygienic efforts in Baghdad ecosystem


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