The susceptibility of conjugative resistance transfer in Gram-negative bacteria to physicochemical and biochemical agents

Viljanen, P; Boratyński, Janusz

doi:10.1111/j.1574-6968.1991.tb04956.x

Cited by 13 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 110 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Interestingly, the opposite effect has also been reported. It has been known for decades that some antibiotics, among a wide variety of chemicals, can inhibit conjugation, show preferential toxicity against plasmid-bearing cells or stimulate plasmid curing (Viljanen & Boratynski, 1991). For instance, ciprofloxacin can impede R-plasmid transfer by inhibiting conjugation in E. coli (Weisser & Wiedemann, 1987).…”

Section: Antibiotic-induced Lateral Transfer and Recombinationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Side effects of antibiotics on genetic variability

2009

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In recent years, there has been accumulating evidence that antibiotics, besides their antimicrobial action, potentially have a number of undesired side effects that can, at least in some cases, promote genetic variability of bacteria. In addition to resistant variants, antibiotics have also been shown to select mutator clones, thus stimulating evolution towards further resistance. Furthermore, mutations, recombination and horizontal gene transfer have been reported to be somehow affected when bacteria are exposed to subinhibitory concentrations of certain antibiotics. These findings may have implications for the use of antibiotics, because they may have undesired side effects, such as enhancing antibiotic resistance evolution. Here we present data supporting (or not) this fearsome possibility and discuss whether this potential threat should be taken into consideration.

show abstract

Section: Antibiotic-induced Lateral Transfer and Recombinationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Side effects of antibiotics on genetic variability

2009

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These concerns are not without basis, since antibiotics such as penicillin are largely ineffective against a wide range of previously susceptible organisms (15,16). Compounding this problem is the possibility of transfer of the resistance gene, via plasmids or transposons, to different strains, species, or even genera of susceptible bacteria which occupy the same environmental niche (14,19).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of topical erythromycin on ecology of aerobic cutaneous bacterial flora

Vowels

Feingold

Sloughfy

et al. 1996

Antimicrob Agents Chemother

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We have demonstrated previously that application of topical erythromycin, an antibiotic commonly used for the treatment of acne, results in an increased density of cutaneous erythromycin-resistant (Emr) coagulase-negative staphylococci; however, it is unknown if this increase results in an overall higher density of total cutaneous staphylococci or if upon cessation of erythromycin use, Emr coagulase-negative staphylococci remain at an increased density compared with the pretreatment density. To investigate this, 2% erythromycin or vehicle was applied to each subject's forehead (n = 225) twice a day by laboratory personnel for a period of 6 weeks. Samples were obtained for culture from the forehead, anterior nares, and back of the subjects at baseline and at weeks 6, 9, and 12 of the study. Cultures were performed on differential media. Plates into which erythromycin was incorporated (8 micrograms/ml) were used to identify Emr coagulase-negative staphylococci. The species of all Emr coagulase-negative staphylococci were determined, and an antibiogram for 16 antibiotics was obtained. The baseline prevalence of Emr coagulase-negative staphylococci on the forehead and nose was about 80% at the two study sites, whereas that on the back was 50%. The baseline density of Emr coagulase-negative staphylococci on the forehead, nose, and back was approximately 20% of the total flora. Following 6 weeks of erythromycin treatment, the prevalence of Emr coagulase-negative staphylococci on the forehead and nose was nearly 100% and the densities were 73 and 62%, respectively; the prevalence and density for the back were 78 and 42%, respectively. The most prevalent erythromycin resistance gene expressed by the Emr coagulase-negative staphylococci was ermC. There was no increase in the numbers of Staphylococcus aureus, gram-negative rods, or yeasts, nor was there increased resistance to any other antibiotic except clindamycin. The density of total aerobic organisms also remained static. There were no changes in the prevalence or density of Emr coagulase-negative staphylococci in the vehicle group. A statistically significant decrease in the prevalence and density of Emr coagulase-negative staphylococci in the erythromycin group was observed within 3 weeks posttreatment and by 6 weeks posttreatment, the prevalence and density returned to baseline values. These data demonstrate that the increased prevalence and density of Emr coagulase-negative staphylococci as a result of topical 2% erythromycin use are transient on both population and individual levels.

show abstract

“…Conjugation was shown to be a ubiquitous phenomenon that occurs in bacterial populations occupying diverse ecological niches like soil, rhizosphere, phylloplane, aquatic environments, sewage, biofilms, as well as organs and tissues of animal hosts ( 45 , 46 ). As such, various environmental factors, including temperature, pH, redox status, moisture, and the presence of pollutants, were shown to affect tra gene expression and the conjugation efficiency of several conjugative plasmids ( 8 , 47 , 48 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%