Bacterial death comes full circle: targeting plasmid replication in drug-resistant bacteria

United we stand, divided we fall: in-depth proteomic evaluation of the synergistic effect of Mo-CBP3-PepI and Ciprofloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus biofilms

Staphylococcus aureus forms biofilms, a structure that protects bacterial cells, conferring more resistance to difficult treatment. Synthetic peptides surge as an alternative to overcome the biofilm of multidrug-resistant pathogens. Mo-CBP3-PepI, when combined with Ciprofloxacin, reduced preformed S. aureus biofilm by 50% at low concentrations (0.2 and 6.2 μg. mL-1, respectively). The goal of this study was to evaluate the proteomic profile of biofilms after treatment with the Mo-CBP3-PepI combined with ciprofloxacin. Here, proteomic analysis confirmed with more depth previously described mechanisms and revealed changes in the accumulation of proteins related to DNA and protein metabolism, cell wall biosynthesis, redox metabolism, quorum sensing, and biofilm formation. Some proteins related to DNA and protein metabolism were reduced, while other proteins, like redox system proteins, disappeared in Ciprofloxacin+Mo-CBP3-PepI treatment. Our results indicated a synergistic effect of these two molecules with several mechanisms against S. aureus biofilm and opened new doors for combined treatments with other drugs.

Antitoxin CrlA of CrlTA Toxin-Antitoxin System in a Clinical Isolate Pseudomonas aeruginosa Inhibits Lytic Phage Infection

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important opportunistic pathogen in cystic fibrosis patients and immunocompromised individuals, and the toxin–antitoxin (TA) system is involved in bacterial virulence and phage resistance. However, the roles of TA systems in P. aeruginosa are relatively less studied and no phage Cro-like regulators were identified as TA components. Here, we identified and characterized a chromosome-encoded prophage Cro-like antitoxin (CrlA) in the clinical isolate P. aeruginosa WK172. CrlA neutralized the toxicity of the toxin CrlA (CrlT) which cleaves mRNA, and they formed a type II TA system. Specifically, crlA and crlT are co-transcribed and their protein products interact with each other directly. The autorepression of CrlA is abolished by CrlT through the formation of the CrlTA complex. Furthermore, crlTA is induced in the stationary phase, and crlA is expressed at higher levels than crlT. The excess CrlA inhibits the infection of lytic Pseudomonas phages. CrlA is widely distributed among Pseudomonas and in other bacterial strains and may provide antiphage activities.

Characterization of multi-resistant <i>Shigella</i> species isolated from raw cow milk and milk products

This study was organized to investigate the prevalence, antibiotic and disinfectant resistance phenotypes and genotypes as well as plasmid profiles of Shigella species isolated from raw cow milk and milk products in Egypt. Genotypic analysis was performed to determine the presence of β-lactamase encoding genes (bla_TEM, bla_CTX-M, bla_OXA-1 and bla_SHV), tet(A) and qacE∆. Forty-two (7%) Shigella isolates (S. dysenteriae, S. flexneri, and S. sonnei) were recovered, with S. dysenteriae as the predominant type. Antibiotic sensitivity tests showed that 71.4% of Shigella isolates were resistant to three or more antibiotic classes (multidrug-resistant). High resistance rates were observed against tetracyclines (100%), ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate (90.5%, each) and cefaclor (66.7%), while no resistance was detected against imipenem, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, and azithromycin. Disinfectant susceptibility test of Shigella isolates revealed resistance to phenolic compound (vanillic acid), while 85.7% of the Shigella isolates were resistant to benzalkonium chloride. Uniplex PCR analysis declared the existence of β-lactamase encoding genes (bla_TEM in all isolates and bla_CTX-M in 28.6% of isolates) and, tet(A) in all isolates and 85.7% of the isolates were positive for qacE∆1, while all isolates were negative for bla_OXA-1 and bla_SHV. All Shigella extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) producers (12, 100%) were positive for the bla_TEM, bla_CTX-M, and qacE∆1 genes. Furthermore, plasmid profiling revealed seven distinct plasmid patterns (P1–P7), ranging from 1.26 to 33.61 kb, among all the Shigella strains; S. dysenteriae exhibited the greatest variance. The co-transfer of β-lactamase genes (bla_TEM and bla_CTX-M) and qacE∆1 genes was observed by conjugation from all ESBL producers to a recipient strain. These findings indicate the emergence of Shigella species in Egypt that exhibited multi-resistance to either antibiotics (particularly ESBL producer strains) or disinfectants. Thus, the resistance of Shigella species should regularly be monitored and appropriate measures should be taken to manage this problem.

Antibacterial Activity of a Fractionated Pistacia lentiscus Oil Against Pharyngeal and Ear Pathogens, Alone or in Combination With Antibiotics

Previous studies have clearly demonstrated that the addition of lentisk oil (LO) to streptococcal cultures makes it possible to differentiate Streptococcus spp. into three categories with Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus intermedius sensitive, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Streptococcus mutans partially sensitive, and Streptococcus salivarius insensitive to the product. We have investigated here whether the winterization of LO, an easy and cheap procedure that removes some of the fatty substances contained within, resulted in a better antimicrobial effect on human pathogens affecting the pharyngeal mucosa and middle ear such as S. pyogenes, S. pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Haemophilus influenzae, without affecting, or minimally affecting, S. salivarius strains, oral probiotics commonly used to reduce oral and middle ear infection recurrence, especially in children. Our results not only demonstrated a stronger antimicrobial action of winterized LO (WLO) on S. pyogenes, compared to what was seen with LO, but also demonstrated a strong antimicrobial action vs. S. pneumoniae and M. catarrhalis and a very limited effect on S. salivarius (strains K12 and M18). Moreover, WLO demonstrated a co-acting action when tested along with the antibiotics amoxicillin (A) and amoxicillin clavulanate (AC), effects clearly visible also on H. influenzae. Our results also showed that at least part of the antimicrobial effect observed was due to the presence of anacardic acids (AAs). Finally, WLO, when tested with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (h-PBMCs), reduced the release of IL-6 and TNF-α and, in the case of cells stimulated by LPS, the release of IFN-γ. In conclusion, our study highlights an enhanced antimicrobial role for LO when winterized, suggests a co-acting effect of this when given with antibiotics, identifies AAs as possible active ingredients, and proposes a possible anti-inflammatory role for it.

Inhibiting plasmid mobility: The effect of isothiocyanates on bacterial conjugation

Bacterial conjugation is the main mechanism for the transfer of multiple antimicrobial resistance genes among pathogenic micro-organisms. This process may be controlled by compounds that inhibit bacterial conjugation. In this study, the effects of allyl isothiocyanate, l-sulforaphane, benzyl isothiocyanate, phenylethyl isothiocyanate and 4-methoxyphenyl isothiocyanate on the conjugation of broad-host-range plasmids harbouring various antimicrobial resistance genes in Escherichia coli were investigated, namely plasmids pKM101 (IncN), TP114 (IncI₂), pUB307 (IncP) and the low-copy-number plasmid R7K (IncW). Benzyl isothiocyanate (32 mg/L) significantly reduced conjugal transfer of pKM101, TP114 and pUB307 to 0.3 ± 0.6%, 10.7 ± 3.3% and 6.5 ± 1.0%, respectively. l-sulforaphane (16 mg/L; transfer frequency 21.5 ± 5.1%) and 4-methoxyphenyl isothiocyanate (100 mg/L; transfer frequency 5.2 ± 2.8%) were the only compounds showing anti-conjugal specificity by actively reducing the transfer of R7K and pUB307, respectively.

Horizontal Dissemination of Antimicrobial Resistance Determinants in Multiple Salmonella Serotypes following Isolation from the Commercial Swine Operation Environment after Manure Application

The aim of this study was to characterize the plasmids carrying antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants in multiple Salmonella serotypes recovered from the commercial swine farm environment after manure application on land. Manure and soil samples were collected on day 0 before and after manure application on six farms in North Carolina, and sequential soil samples were recollected on days 7, 14, and 21 from the same plots. All environmental samples were processed for Salmonella, and their plasmid contents were further characterized. A total of 14 isolates including Salmonella enterica serotypes Johannesburg (n = 2), Ohio (n = 2), Rissen (n = 1), Typhimurium var5- (n = 5), Worthington (n = 3), and 4,12:i:- (n = 1), representing different farms, were selected for plasmid analysis. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done by broth microdilution against a panel of 14 antimicrobials on the 14 confirmed transconjugants after conjugation assays. The plasmids were isolated by modified alkaline lysis, and PCRs were performed on purified plasmid DNA to identify the AMR determinants and the plasmid replicon types. The plasmids were sequenced for further analysis and to compare profiles and create phylogenetic trees. A class 1 integron with an ANT(2″)-Ia-aadA2 cassette was detected in the 50-kb IncN plasmids identified in S Worthington isolates. We identified 100-kb and 90-kb IncI1 plasmids in S Johannesburg and S Rissen isolates carrying the bla_CMY-2 and tet(A) genes, respectively. An identical 95-kb IncF plasmid was widely disseminated among the different serotypes and across different farms. Our study provides evidence on the importance of horizontal dissemination of resistance determinants through plasmids of multiple Salmonella serotypes distributed across commercial swine farms after manure application.IMPORTANCE The horizontal gene transfer of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants located on plasmids is considered to be the main reason for the rapid proliferation and spread of drug resistance. The deposition of manure generated in swine production systems into the environment is identified as a potential source of AMR dissemination. In this study, AMR gene-carrying plasmids were detected in multiple Salmonella serotypes across different commercial swine farms in North Carolina. The plasmid profiles were characterized based on Salmonella serotype donors and incompatibility (Inc) groups. We found that different Inc plasmids showed evidence of AMR gene transfer in multiple Salmonella serotypes. We detected an identical 95-kb plasmid that was widely distributed across swine farms in North Carolina. These conjugable resistance plasmids were able to persist on land after swine manure application. Our study provides strong evidence of AMR determinant dissemination present in plasmids of multiple Salmonella serotypes in the environment after manure application.

Complete Sequence of the FII Plasmid p42-2, Carrying blaCTX-M-55, oqxAB, fosA3, and floR from Escherichia coli

We sequenced a novel conjugative multidrug resistance IncF plasmid, p42-2, isolated from Escherichia coli strain 42-2, previously identified in China. p42-2 is 106,886 bp long, composed of a typical IncFII-type backbone (∼54 kb) and one distinct acquired DNA region spanning ∼53 kb, harboring 12 antibiotic resistance genes [blaCTX-M-55, oqxA, oqxB, fosA3, floR, tetA(A), tetA(R), strA, strB, sul2, aph(3')-II, and ΔblaTEM-1]. The spread of these multidrug resistance determinants on the same plasmid is of great concern and, because of coresistance to antibiotics from different classes, is therapeutically challenging.

IncF plasmid diversity in multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli strains from animals in China

The purpose of this study was to characterize a collection of 103 multidrug resistance IncF plasmids recovered from Escherichia coli of food producing and companion animals between 2003 and 2012. A total of 103 incF plasmids were characterized using an established PCR-based IncF replicon sequence typing (RST) system to identify FII, FIA, and FIB (FAB) groups. Plasmids were also analyzed using-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Antibiotic Resistance determinants bla CTX-M , plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes and rmtB and plasmid addiction systems (PAS) were identified by PCR screening. A total of 20 different RSTs from 103 IncF plasmids were identified. The groups F2 and F33 with the RST formulae A-: B- were the most frequently encountered types (63.1%). The antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) bla CTX-M , rmtB, and oqxB were carried by 82, 37, and 34 IncF plasmids, respectively. Most of these plasmids carried more than one resistance gene (59.2%, 61/103). The IncF plasmids also had a high frequency of addiction systems (mean 2.54) and two antisense RNA-regulated systems (hok-sok and srnBC) and a protein antitoxin-regulated system (pemKI) were the most prevalent. Not surprisingly, RFLP profiles among the IncF plasmids were diverse even though some shared identical IncF-RSTs. This is the first extensive study of IncF plasmid-positive E. coli isolates from animals in China. Our results demonstrate that IncF is the most prevalent plasmid family in E. coli plasmids and they commonly carry multiple resistance determinants that render them resistant to different antibiotic classes simultaneously. IncF plasmids also harbor addiction systems, promoting their stability and maintenance in the bacterial host, under changing environmental conditions.

The mazEF toxin-antitoxin system as an attractive target in clinical isolates of Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis

The toxin–antitoxin (TA) system is a regulatory system where two sets of genes encode the toxin and its corresponding antitoxin. In this study, the prevalence of TA systems in independently isolated clinical isolates of Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis was determined, the dominant TA system was identified, different virulence genes in E. faecium and E. faecalis were surveyed, the level of expression of the virulence and TA genes in normal and stress conditions was determined, and finally their associations with the TA genes were defined. Remarkably, the analysis demonstrated higBA and mazEF in all clinical isolates, and their locations were on chromosomes and plasmids, respectively. On the other hand, a quantitative analysis of TA and virulence genes revealed that the expression level in both genes is different under normal and stress conditions. The results obtained by anti-mazF peptide nucleic acids demonstrated that the expression level of virulence genes had decreased. These findings demonstrate an association between TA systems and virulence factors. The mazEF on the plasmids and the higBA TA genes on the chromosomes of all E. faecium and E. faecalis strains were dominant. Additionally, there was a decrease in the expression of virulence genes in the presence of anti-mazF peptide nucleic acids. Therefore, it is suggested that mazEF TA systems are potent and sensitive targets in all E. faecium and E. faecalis strains.

Replicon typing of plasmids carrying bla CTX-M-1 in Enterobacteriaceae of animal, environmental and human origin

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this work was to determine the plasmid replicon profiles of a collection of bla CTX-M-1-positive enterobacterial strains. The isolates originated from chicken in the production pyramid, healthy food-producing animals at slaughter (chicken, calves, and pigs), chicken retail meat, environmental isolates originating from water bodies, and isolates from humans. A selection of IncI and IncN plasmids were characterized by multilocus sequence typing in order to determine their epidemiological relatedness.

METHODS

Transconjugants of 74 bla CTX-M-1-positive isolates were analyzed by PCR-based replicon typing and by PCR-based plasmid multilocus sequence typing.

RESULTS

The incompatibility groups detected among the bla CTX-M-1-harboring plasmids included IncI1, IncN, IncHI1B, IncF, IncFIIS, IncFIB, and IncB/O, with plasmid lineage IncI1/ST3 predominating in isolates from chicken and from humans. Lineage IncN/ST1 was detected mainly in isolates from pigs. For the first time, bla CTX-M-1 genes encoded on IncHI1 plasmids were detected in isolates from cattle and from water bodies.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identifies plasmid lineages that are contributing to the dissemination of bla CTX-M-1 genes in the food chain, the environment, and humans.

Molecular characterization and PCR-based replicon typing of multidrug resistant Shigella sonnei isolates from an outbreak in Thimphu, Bhutan

Background

Shigella species are an important cause of diarrhea in developing countries. These bacteria normally acquire their antibiotic resistance via several different mobile genetic elements including plasmids, transposons, and integrons involving gene cassettes. During a diarrhea surveillance study in Thimphu, Bhutan in June and July, 2011, Shigella sonnei were isolated more frequently than expected. This study describes the antibiotic resistance of these S. sonnei isolates.

Methods

A total of 29 S. sonnei isolates from Thimphu, Bhutan was characterized for antimicrobial susceptibility by disc diffusion assay and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay. All isolates were tested by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) with restriction enzyme XbaI and were tested for plasmid. The plasmid patterns and the PFGE patterns were analyzed by Bionumerics software. DNA sequencing was performed on amplified products for gyraseA gene and class 1 and class 2 integrons. S. sonnei isolates were classified for incompatibility of plasmids by PCR-based replicon typing (PBRT).

Results

These S. sonnei were resistant to multiple drugs like ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, streptomycin, and tetracycline but susceptible to azithromycin. All isolates had class 2 integrons dfrA1, sat1 and aadA1 genes. Two point mutations in Gyrase A subunit at position Ser83Leu and Asp87Gly were detected in these quinolone resistant isolates. The plasmid and PFGE patterns of S. sonnei isolates suggested a clonal relationship of the isolates. All isolates carried common ColE plasmid. ColE plasmid co-resided with B/O plasmid (nine isolates) or I1 plasmid (one isolate).

Conclusions

The characteristics of 29 S. sonnei isolates from Thimphu, Bhutan in June and July, 2011 are identical in PFGE, plasmid and resistance pattern. This study suggests that these recent S. sonnei isolates are clonally related and multidrug-resistant.

Light activation of Staphylococcus aureus toxin YoeBSa1 reveals guanosine-specific endoribonuclease activity

The Staphylococcus aureus chromosome harbors two homologues of the YefM-YoeB toxin-antitoxin (TA) system. The toxins YoeBSa1 and YoeBSa2 possess ribosome-dependent ribonuclease (RNase) activity in Escherichia coli. This activity is similar to that of the E. coli toxin YoeBEc, an enzyme that, in addition to ribosome-dependent RNase activity, possesses ribosome-independent RNase activity in vitro. To investigate whether YoeBSa1 is also a ribosome-independent RNase, we expressed YoeBSa1 using a novel strategy and characterized its in vitro RNase activity, sequence specificity, and kinetics. Y88 of YoeBSa1 was critical for in vitro activity and cell culture toxicity. This residue was mutated to o-nitrobenzyl tyrosine (ONBY) via unnatural amino acid mutagenesis. YoeBSa1-Y88ONBY could be expressed in the absence of the antitoxin YefMSa1 in E. coli. Photocaged YoeBSa1-Y88ONBY displayed UV light-dependent RNase activity toward free mRNA in vitro. The in vitro ribosome-independent RNase activity of YoeBSa1-Y88ONBY, YoeBSa1-Y88F, and YoeBSa1-Y88TAG was significantly reduced or abolished. In contrast to YoeBEc, which cleaves RNA at both adenosine and guanosine with a preference for adenosine, YoeBSa1 cleaved mRNA specifically at guanosine. Using this information, a fluorometric assay was developed and used to determine the kinetic parameters for ribosome-independent RNA cleavage by YoeBSa1.

Antibiotic resistance-the need for global solutions

The causes of antibiotic resistance are complex and include human behaviour at many levels of society; the consequences affect everybody in the world. Similarities with climate change are evident. Many efforts have been made to describe the many different facets of antibiotic resistance and the interventions needed to meet the challenge. However, coordinated action is largely absent, especially at the political level, both nationally and internationally. Antibiotics paved the way for unprecedented medical and societal developments, and are today indispensible in all health systems. Achievements in modern medicine, such as major surgery, organ transplantation, treatment of preterm babies, and cancer chemotherapy, which we today take for granted, would not be possible without access to effective treatment for bacterial infections. Within just a few years, we might be faced with dire setbacks, medically, socially, and economically, unless real and unprecedented global coordinated actions are immediately taken. Here, we describe the global situation of antibiotic resistance, its major causes and consequences, and identify key areas in which action is urgently needed.

Detection of endogenous MazF enzymatic activity in Staphylococcus aureus

The mazEFSa toxin-antitoxin (TA) system is ubiquitous in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, yet its physiological role is unclear. MazFSa is a sequence-specific endoribonuclease that inhibits the growth of S. aureus and Escherichia coli on ectopic overexpression. MazFSa preferentially cleaves RNA at UACAU sites, which are overrepresented in genes encoding pathogenicity factors. The exploitation of the inherent toxicity of MazFSa by artificial toxin activation has been proposed as an antibacterial strategy; however, enzymatic activity of endogenous MazFSa has never been detected, and tools for such analyses are lacking. Here we detail methods for detection of the ribonuclease activity of MazFSa, including a continuous fluorometric assay and a gel-based cleavage assay. Importantly, these methods allowed for the first detection of endogenous MazFSa enzymatic activity in S. aureus lysate. These robust and sensitive assays provide a toolkit for the identification, analysis, and validation of stressors that induce MazF enzymatic activity and should assist in the discovery of artificial activators of the mazEFSa TA system.

Structural overview of toxin-antitoxin systems in infectious bacteria: a target for developing antimicrobial agents

The bacterial toxin-antitoxin (TA) system is a module that may play a role in cell survival under stress conditions. Generally, toxin molecules act as negative regulators in cell survival and antitoxin molecules as positive regulators. Thus, the expression levels and interactions between toxins and antitoxins should be systematically harmonized so that bacteria can escape such harmful conditions. Since TA systems are able to control the fate of bacteria, they are considered potent targets for the development of new antimicrobial agents. TA systems are widely prevalent with a variety of systems existing in bacteria: there are three types of bacterial TA systems depending on the property of the antitoxin which binds either the protein toxin or mRNA coding the toxin protein. Moreover, the multiplicity of TA genes has been observed even in species of bacteria. Therefore, knowledge on TA systems such as the individual characteristics of TA systems, integrative working mechanisms of various TA systems in bacteria, interactions between toxin molecules and cellular targets, and so on is currently limited due to their complexity. In this regard, it would be helpful to know the structural characteristics of TA modules for understanding TA systems in bacteria. Until now, 85 out of the total structures deposited in PDB have been bacterial TA system proteins including TA complexes or isolated toxins/antitoxins. Here, we summarized the structural information of TA systems and analyzed the structural characteristics of known TA modules from several bacteria, especially focusing on the TA modules of several infectious bacteria.

Artificial activation of toxin-antitoxin systems as an antibacterial strategy

Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are unique modules that effect plasmid stabilization via post-segregational killing of the bacterial host. The genes encoding TA systems also exist on bacterial chromosomes, and it has been speculated that these are involved in a variety of cellular processes. Interest in TA systems has increased dramatically over the past 5 years as the ubiquitous nature of TA genes on bacterial genomes has been revealed. The exploitation of TA systems as an antibacterial strategy via artificial activation of the toxin has been proposed and has considerable potential; however, efforts in this area remain in the early stages and several major questions remain. This review investigates the tractability of targeting TA systems to kill bacteria, including fundamental requirements for success, recent advances, and challenges associated with artificial toxin activation.

ε/ζ systems: their role in resistance, virulence, and their potential for antibiotic development

Cell death in bacteria can be triggered by activation of self-inflicted molecular mechanisms. Pathogenic bacteria often make use of suicide mechanisms in which the death of individual cells benefits survival of the population. Important elements for programmed cell death in bacteria are proteinaceous toxin-antitoxin systems. While the toxin generally resides dormant in the bacterial cytosol in complex with its antitoxin, conditions such as impaired de novo synthesis of the antitoxin or nutritional stress lead to antitoxin degradation and toxin activation. A widespread toxin-antitoxin family consists of the ε/ζ systems, which are distributed over plasmids and chromosomes of various pathogenic bacteria. In its inactive state, the bacteriotoxic ζ toxin protein is inhibited by its cognate antitoxin ε. Upon degradation of ε, the ζ toxin is released allowing this enzyme to poison bacterial cell wall synthesis, which eventually triggers autolysis. ε/ζ systems ensure stable plasmid inheritance by inducing death in plasmid-deprived offspring cells. In contrast, chromosomally encoded ε/ζ systems were reported to contribute to virulence of pathogenic bacteria, possibly by inducing autolysis in individual cells under stressful conditions. The capability of toxin-antitoxin systems to kill bacteria has made them potential targets for new therapeutic compounds. Toxin activation could be hijacked to induce suicide of bacteria. Likewise, the unique mechanism of ζ toxins could serve as template for new drugs. Contrarily, inhibition of virulence-associated ζ toxins might attenuate infections. Here we provide an overview of ε/ζ toxin-antitoxin family and its potential role in the development of new therapeutic approaches in microbial defense.

Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are prevalent and transcribed in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

The percentage of bacterial infections refractory to standard antibiotic treatments is steadily increasing. Among the most problematic hospital and community-acquired pathogens are methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA). One novel strategy proposed for treating infections of multidrug-resistant bacteria is the activation of latent toxins of toxin-antitoxin (TA) protein complexes residing within bacteria; however, the prevalence and identity of TA systems in clinical isolates of MRSA and PA has not been defined. We isolated DNA from 78 MRSA and 42 PA clinical isolates and used PCR to probe for the presence of various TA loci. Our results showed that the genes for homologs of the mazEF TA system in MRSA and the relBE and higBA TA systems in PA were present in 100% of the respective strains. Additionally, reverse transcriptase PCR analysis revealed that these transcripts are produced in the clinical isolates. These results indicate that TA genes are prevalent and transcribed within MRSA and PA and suggest that activation of the toxin proteins could be an effective antibacterial strategy for these pathogens.

Marine integrons containing novel integrase genes, attachment sites, attI, and associated gene cassettes in polluted sediments from Suez and Tokyo Bays

In order to understand the structure and biological significance of integrons and associated gene cassettes in marine polluted sediments, metagenomic DNAs were extracted from sites at Suez and Tokyo Bays. PCR amplicons containing new integrase genes, intI, linked with novel gene cassettes, were recovered and had sizes from 1.8 to 2.5 kb. This approach uncovered, for the first time, the structure and diversity of both marine integron attachment site, attI, and the first gene cassette, the most efficiently expressed integron-associated gene cassette. The recovered 13 and 20 intI phylotypes, from Suez and Tokyo Bay samples, respectively, showed a highly divergence, suggesting a difference in integron composition between the sampling sites. Some intI phylotypes showed similarity with that from Geobacter metallireducens, belonging to Deltaproteobacteria, the dominant class in both sampling sites, as determined by 16S rRNA gene analysis. Thirty distinct families of putative attI site, as determined by the presence of an attI-like simple site, were recovered. A total of 146 and 68 gene cassettes represented Suez and Tokyo Bay unsaturated cassette pools, respectively. Gene cassettes, including a first cassette, from both sampling sites encoded two novel families of glyoxalase/bleomycin antibiotic-resistance protein. Gene cassettes from Suez Bay encoded proteins similar to haloacid dehalogenases, protein disulfide isomerases and death-on-curing and plasmid maintenance system killer proteins. First gene cassettes from Tokyo Bay encoded a xenobiotic-degrading protein, cardiolipin synthetase, esterase and WD40-like β propeller protein. Many of the first gene cassettes encoded proteins with no ascribable function but some of them were duplicated and possessed signal functional sites, suggesting efficient adaptive functions to their bacterial sources. Thus, each sampling site had a specific profile of integrons and cassette types consistent with the hypothesis that the environment shapes the genome.

Counterion-induced modulation in the antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility of amphiphilic hydrogelators: influence of in-situ-synthesized Ag-nanoparticle on the bactericidal property

The necessity for the development of new antimicrobial agents due to the ever increasing threat from microbes is causing a rapid surge in research. In the present work, we have shown the efficient antimicrobial activity of a series of amino acid-based hydrogelating amphiphiles through alteration in their counterion. The subtle variation in the counterion from chloride to various organic carboxylates had a significant impact on the antimicrobial properties with notable improvement in biocompatibility toward mammalian cells. Incorporation of a hydrophobic moiety in the counterion augmented the antibacterial property of the amphiphilic hydrogelator as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against the Gram-positive bacterial strain, Bacillus subtilis decreased up to 5-fold (with respect to the chloride) in the case of n-hexanoate. These counterion-varied amphiphilic hydrogelators were also found to be effective against fungal strains (Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) where they exhibited MICs in the range of 1.0-12.5 μg/mL. To widen the spectrum of antibacterial activity, particularly against Gram-negative bacteria, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized in situ within the supramolecular assemblies of the carboxylate hydrogelators. These AgNP-amphiphile soft-nanocomposites showed bactericidal property against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Encouragingly, these carboxylate hydrogelators showed superior biocompatibility toward mammalian cells, HepG2 and NIH3T3, as compared to the chloride analogue at a concentration range of 10-200 μg/mL. Importantly, the AgNP composites also showed sufficient viability to mammalian cells. Because of the intrinsic hydrogelation ability of these counterion-varied amphiphiles, the resulting soft materials and the nanocomposites could find applications in biomedicine and tissue engineering.

Txe, an endoribonuclease of the enterococcal Axe-Txe toxin-antitoxin system, cleaves mRNA and inhibits protein synthesis

The axe-txe operon encodes a toxin-antitoxin (TA) pair, Axe-Txe, that was initially identified on the multidrug-resistance plasmid pRUM in Enterococcus faecium. In Escherichia coli, expression of the Txe toxin is known to inhibit cell growth, and co-expression of the antitoxin, Axe, counteracts the toxic effect of Txe. Here, we report the nucleotide sequence of pS177, a 39&emsp14;kb multidrug-resistant plasmid isolated from vancomycin-resistant Ent. faecium, which harbours the axe-txe operon and the vanA gene cluster. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the axe-txe transcript is produced by strain S177 as well as by other vancomycin-resistant enteroccoci. Moreover, we determine the mechanism by which the Txe protein exerts its toxic activity. Txe inhibits protein synthesis in E. coli without affecting DNA or RNA synthesis, and inhibits protein synthesis in a cell-free system. Using in vivo primer extension analysis, we demonstrate that Txe preferentially cleaves single-stranded mRNA at the first base after an AUG start codon. We conclude that Txe is an endoribonuclease which cleaves mRNA and inhibits protein synthesis.

Antiplasmid activity of 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate from Alpinia galanga against multi-drug resistant bacteria

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Alpinia galanga (L.) Swartz is traditionally used in the treatment of various ailments across India, China, and Southeast Asian countries. In India it is a reputed drug in indigenous system of medicine and largely used as antibacterial and antiseptic. In southern India the rhizomes has been used as a domestic remedy against bacterial infections.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To identify a potential antiplasmid compound from Alpinia galanga against multi-drug resistant bacteria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The crude rhizome extract of Alpinia galanga was prepared in acetone. Antibacterial activity was checked by MIC and antiplasmid activity was checked by SIC. The principal compound responsible for the antiplasmid activity, in the crude extract, was identified by bioassay guided fractionation using hexane-acetone. Antibiotic resistance profile of plasmid harboring strains and plasmid cured strains was determined by disc diffusion method.

RESULTS

The crude acetone extract of the rhizomes of Alpinia galanga exhibited antiplasmid activity against Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecalis with an efficiency of 92%, 82% and 8% respectively at 400 microg/ml SIC. The principal compound responsible for the activity was identified as 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate. 1'-Acetoxychavicol acetate demonstrated the ability to cure plasmid encoded antibiotic resistance in various multi-drug resistant bacterial strains of clinical isolates such as Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus with curing efficiency of 66%, 75%, 70%, 32% and 6% respectively at SIC of 400-800 microg/ml.

CONCLUSION

1'-Acetoxychavicol acetate mediated R-plasmid curing significantly reduced the minimal inhibitory concentration of antibiotics required to inhibit growth of bacteria, thus making the antibiotic treatment more effective.

Antimicrobial activity, biocompatibility and hydrogelation ability of dipeptide-based amphiphiles

The development of new antibiotics is of increasing importance due to the growing resistance power of microbes against conventional drugs. To this end, cationic peptides are emerging as clinically potent antimicrobial agents. In the present study, we have synthesized six dipeptide-based cationic amphiphiles with different head group structures by varying combinations of l-amino acid residues. These amphiphiles showed remarkable growth inhibiting activity on several Gram-positive (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)=0.1-10 microg/mL) and Gram-negative (MIC=5-150 microg/mL) bacteria as well as on fungus (MIC=1-50 microg/mL). The inherent antimicrobial efficacies of these cationic dipeptides were influenced by the head group architecture of the amphiphiles. Encouragingly, these amphiphiles selectively attacked microbial cells, while showing biocompatibility toward mammalian cells. The results show that the rational designing of short peptide-based cationic amphiphiles might serve as a promising strategy in the development of antimicrobial agents with greater cell specificities. In addition, the amphiphiles showed water gelation ability at room temperature. The formation of non-covalent supramolecular networks in gelation was established by microscopic and spectroscopic studies.

Characterization of a cryptic plasmid from an alpha-proteobacterial endosymbiont of Amoeba proteus

A new cryptic plasmid pAP3.9 was discovered in symbiotic alpha-proteobacteria present in the cytoplasm of Amoeba proteus. The plasmid is 3869bp with a GC content of 34.66% and contains replication origins for both double-strand (dso) and single-strand (sso). It has three putative ORFs encoding Mob, Rep and phosphoglycolate phosphatase (PGPase). The pAP3.9 plasmid appears to propagate by the conjugative rolling-circle replication (RCR), since it contains all required factors such as Rep, sso and dso. Mob and Rep showed highest similarities to those of the cryptic plasmid pBMYdx in Bacillus mycoides. The PGPase was homologous to that of Bacillus cereus and formed a clade with those of Bacillus sp. in molecular phylogeny. These results imply that the pAP3.9 plasmid evolved by the passage through Bacillus species. We hypothesize that the plasmid-encoded PGPase may have contributed to the establishment of bacterial symbiosis within the hostile environment of amoeba cytoplasm.

Antimicrobial susceptibility of enteric bacteria recovered from feedlot cattle administered chlortetracycline in feed

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate administration of chlortetracycline in feed of cattle as a method to select for tetracycline resistance among enteric bacteria in feedlot settings.

ANIMALS

20 steers.

PROCEDURES

Steers were randomly assigned to an exposed cohort (n = 10) or an unexposed cohort (control cohort; 10). Chlortetracycline (22 mg/kg) in cottonseed meal was administered to the exposed cohort on days 0 through 4, 6 through 10, and 12 through 16. The control cohort was administered only cottonseed meal. Fecal samples were collected from 16 steers on days -7, 0, 2, 6, 8, 12, 14, 19, 22, 26, and 33, and Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp were isolated. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of selected antimicrobials was estimated.

RESULTS

Overall, 56.0% and 31.4% of E coli and Enterococcus isolates, respectively, were resistant to tetracycline. Exposure to chlortetracycline was associated with a significant temporary increase in log(2) MIC for both genera but returned to preexposure values by day 33. Averaged across time, the proportion of tetracycline-resistant E coli and Enterococcus isolates was significantly greater in exposed than in unexposed steers. Although all ceftiofur-resistant E coli isolates were coresistant to tetracycline, exposure to chlortetracycline led to a significant decrease in the proportion of E coli resistant to ceftiofur during exposure.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Exposure to chlortetracycline was associated with a temporary increase in the likelihood of recovering resistant bacteria. Exposure to chlortetracycline decreased the likelihood of recovering ceftiofur-resistant E coli isolates, even though isolates were coresistant to tetracycline. These findings warrant further investigation.

Exposing plasmids as the Achilles' heel of drug-resistant bacteria

Many multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens harbor large plasmids that encode proteins conferring resistance to antibiotics. Although the acquisition of these plasmids often enables bacteria to survive in the presence of antibiotics, it is possible that plasmids also represent a vulnerability that can be exploited in tailored antibacterial therapy. This review highlights three recently described strategies designed to specifically combat bacteria harboring such plasmids: inhibition of plasmid conjugation, inhibition of plasmid replication, and exploitation of plasmid-encoded toxin-antitoxin systems.

Increasing penicillin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistance in nasopharyngeal Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from Guatemalan children, 2001--2006

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to determine nasopharyngeal colonization rates and antibiotic resistance patterns of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from Guatemalan children, and to determine risk factors for colonization and antibiotic nonsusceptibility.

METHODS

Isolates were obtained from children aged 5 to 60 months attending public and private outpatient clinics and daycare centers during August 2001--June 2002 and outpatient clinics during November 2005--February 2006 in Guatemala City. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of penicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMS), cefotaxime, and erythromycin were determined using the E-test.

RESULTS

The overall nasopharyngeal colonization rate for S. pneumoniae was 59.1%. From 2001/2 to 2005/6 TMS nonsusceptibility increased from 42.4% to 60.8% (p<0.05) in public clinics and from 51.4% to 84.0% (p=0.009) in private clinics, and penicillin nonsusceptibility increased from 1.5% to 33.3% in public clinics (p<0.001). Reported antibiotic use was not strictly associated with nonsusceptibility to that same antibiotic. Resistance to three or four antibiotics increased in public clinics from 2001/2 (0%) to 2005/6 (10.7%; p<0.001). Risk factors for nasopharyngeal colonization with penicillin- or TMS-nonsusceptible S. pneumoniae were low family income, daycare center attendance, and recent penicillin use.

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing antibiotic nonsusceptibility rates in nasopharyngeal S. pneumoniae isolates from Guatemalan children reflect worldwide trends. Policies encouraging more judicious use of TMS should be considered.

A continuous fluorometric assay for the assessment of MazF ribonuclease activity

Plasmids maintain themselves in their bacterial host through several different mechanisms, one of which involves the synthesis of plasmid-encoded toxin and antitoxin proteins. When the plasmid is present, the antitoxin binds to and neutralizes the toxin. If a plasmid-free daughter cell arises, however, the labile antitoxin is degraded (and not replenished) and the toxin kills the cell from within. These toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems thereby function as postsegregational killing systems, and the disruption of the TA interaction represents an intriguing antibacterial strategy. It was recently discovered that the genes for one particular TA system, MazEF, are ubiquitous on plasmids isolated from clinical vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) strains. Thus, it appears that small molecule disruptors of the MazEF interaction have potential as antibacterial agents. The MazF toxin protein is known to be a ribonuclease. Unfortunately, traditional methods for the assessment of MazF activity rely on the use of radiolabeled substrates followed by analysis with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This article describes a simple and convenient continuous assay for the assessment of MazF activity. The assay uses an oligonucleotide with a fluorophore on the 5' end and a quencher on the 3' end, and processing of this substrate by MazF results in a large increase in the fluorescence signal. Through this assay, we have for the first time determined K(M) and V(max) values for this enzyme and have also found that MazF is not inhibited by standard ribonuclease inhibitors. This assay will be useful to those interested in the biochemistry of the MazF family of toxins and the disruption of MazE/MazF.

Purification and crystallization of Vibrio fischeri CcdB and its complexes with fragments of gyrase and CcdA

The ccd toxin-antitoxin module from the Escherichia coli F plasmid has a homologue on the Vibrio fischeri integron. The homologue of the toxin (CcdB(Vfi)) was crystallized in two different crystal forms. The first form belongs to space group I23 or I2(1)3, with unit-cell parameter a = 84.5 A, and diffracts to 1.5 A resolution. The second crystal form belongs to space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 58.5, b = 43.6, c = 37.5 A, beta = 110.0 degrees, and diffracts to 1.7 A resolution. The complex of CcdB(Vfi) with the GyrA14(Vfi) fragment of V. fischeri gyrase crystallizes in space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 53.5, b = 94.6, c = 58.1 A, and diffracts to 2.2 A resolution. The corresponding mixed complex with E. coli GyrA14(Ec) crystallizes in space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 130.1, b = 90.8, c = 58.1 A, beta = 102.6 degrees, and diffracts to 1.95 A. Finally, a complex between CcdB(Vfi) and part of the F-plasmid antitoxin CcdA(F) crystallizes in space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 46.9, b = 62.6, c = 82.0 A, and diffracts to 1.9 A resolution.

Toxin-antitoxin systems are ubiquitous and plasmid-encoded in vancomycin-resistant enterococci

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are common hospital pathogens that are resistant to most major classes of antibiotics. The incidence of VRE is increasing rapidly, to the point where over one-quarter of enterococcal infections in intensive care units are now resistant to vancomycin. The exact mechanism by which VRE maintains its plasmid-encoded resistance genes is ill-defined, and novel targets for the treatment of VRE are lacking. In an effort to identify novel protein targets for the treatment of VRE infections, we probed the plasmids obtained from 75 VRE isolates for the presence of toxin-antitoxin (TA) gene systems. Remarkably, genes for one particular TA pair, the mazEF system (originally identified on the Escherichia coli chromosome), were present on plasmids from 75/75 (100%) of the isolates. Furthermore, mazEF was on the same plasmid as vanA in the vast majority of cases (>90%). Plasmid stability tests and RT-PCR raise the possibility that this plasmid-encoded mazEF is indeed functional in enterococci. Given this ubiquity of mazEF in VRE and the deleterious activity of the MazF toxin, disruption of mazEF with pharmacological agents is an attractive strategy for tailored antimicrobial therapy.