Enhanced Survival of Rifampin- and Streptomycin-Resistant Escherichia coli Inside Macrophages.

ABSTRACT: The evolution of multiple-antibiotic-resistant bacteria is an increasing global problem. Even though mutations causing resistance usually incur a fitness cost in the absence of antibiotics, the magnitude of such costs varies across environments and genomic backgrounds. We studied how the combination of mutations that confer resistance to rifampin (Rif(r)) and streptomycin (Str(r)) affects the fitness of Escherichia coli when it interacts with cells from the immune system, i.e., macrophages (Mϕs). We found that 13 Rif(r) Str(r) doubly resistant genotypes, of the 16 tested, show a survival advantage inside Mϕs, indicating that double resistance can be highly beneficial in this environment. Our results suggest that there are multiple paths to acquire multiple-drug resistance in this context,

SUBMITTER: Durao P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4914683 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature