Co-introduction of plasmids harbouring the carbapenemase genes, blaNDM-1 and blaOXA-232, increases fitness and virulence of bacterial host.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Bacterial isolates with multiple plasmids harbouring different carbapenemase genes have emerged and been identified repeatedly, despite a general notion that plasmids confer fitness cost in bacterial host. In this study, we investigated the effects of plasmids with carbapenemase genes on the fitness and virulence of bacteria. METHODS:Different plasmids harbouring the carbapenemase genes, blaNDM-1 and blaOXA-232, were isolated from a carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae strain. Each plasmid was conjugated into the Escherichia coli strain DH5α, and a transconjugant with both plasmids was also obtained by transformation. Their in vitro competitive ability, biofilm formation, serum resistance, survival ability within macrophage and fruit fly, and fly killing ability were evaluated. RE

SUBMITTER: Lee H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6941263 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature