A tale of two plasmids: contributions of plasmid associated phenotypes to epidemiological success among Shigella.

ABSTRACT: Dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes by horizontal gene transfer (HGT) mediated through plasmids is a major global concern. Genomic epidemiology studies have shown varying success of different AMR plasmids during outbreaks, but the underlying reasons for these differences are unclear. Here, we investigated two Shigella plasmids (pKSR100 and pAPR100) that circulated in the same transmission network but had starkly contrasting epidemiological outcomes to identify plasmid features that may have contributed to the differences. We used plasmid comparative genomics to reveal divergence between the two plasmids in genes encoding AMR, SOS response alleviation and conjugation. Experimental analyses revealed that these genomic differences corresponded with reduced conjugation

SUBMITTER: Malaka De Silva P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9346365 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature