Premium
Transfer of antibiotic resistance between commensal and pathogenic members of the Enterobacteriaceae under ileal conditions
Author(s) -
Blake D.P.,
Hillman K.,
Fenlon D.R.,
Low J.C.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2672.2003.01988.x
Subject(s) - biology , enterobacteriaceae , antibiotic resistance , microbiology and biotechnology , antibiotics , population , salmonella , escherichia coli , transmission (telecommunications) , bacteria , genetics , gene , medicine , electrical engineering , environmental health , engineering
Aim: To determine the rate of antibiotic resistance transmission between commensal and pathogenic representatives of the Enterobacteriaceae. Methods and Results: Through the use of a validated in vitro simulation of the porcine ileum, the transmission of antibiotic resistance was detected between commensal Escherichia coli , E. coli O157 and Salmonella spp. Countable transconjugant populations arose readily and, in one example, proved capable of indefinite persistence. Conclusions: Genetic material conferring antibiotic resistance is readily transmissible between members of the Enterobacteriaceae under ileal conditions. Recipient phenotype influences the persistence of multi‐resistant transconjugants. Significance and Impact of the Study: The observation that the conjugal transmission of antibiotic resistance is commonplace under ileal conditions impacts primarily on the risk of food contamination by multi‐resistant bacteria. The establishment of a multi‐resistant transconjugant population as a dominant member of the microflora maintains a genetic reservoir of antimicrobial resistance.