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Veterinary microbiology1998; 63(2-4); 217-227; doi: 10.1016/s0378-1135(98)00234-x

Tetracycline resistance in Staphylococcus spp. from domestic animals.

Abstract: A total of 838 staphylococcal isolates representing 19 different species were obtained from cattle, cats, dogs, ducks, guinea pigs, horses, mink, pigeons, pigs, rabbits, and turkeys. From these 228 (27.2%) isolates were shown to be resistant to tetracycline and to carry one or two of the tetracycline resistance (tet) genes tet (K), tet (L), tet (M), or tet (O) with seven different distribution patterns. Additional resistances to one or more antibiotics were observed in 153 (67.1%) of the tetracycline resistant isolates. The tet (M) gene was found in 94.3% of the resistant S. intermedius isolates while the tet (K) gene predominated in most of the other staphylococcal species irrespective of the host animal. The tet (K) and tet (L) genes were located on plasmids while the tet (M) and tet (O) genes appeared to be associated with the chromosome.
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Publication Date: 1998-12-16 PubMed ID: 9851000DOI: 10.1016/s0378-1135(98)00234-xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • P.H.S.

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article is about a study that examined various species of Staphylococcus bacteria from different domestic animals and found that over a quarter of these samples were resistant to the antibiotic tetracycline. The research also identified specific genes associated with this resistance.

Methodology and Results

  • The researchers tested 838 samples of staphylococcal bacteria, which were collected from a variety of domestic animals such as cattle, cats, dogs, ducks, guinea pigs, horses, mink, pigeons, pigs, rabbits, and turkeys.
  • Of these samples, 228 (27.2%) were found to be resistant to the antibiotic tetracycline. This means that these bacteria could survive and potentially multiply even in the presence of this antibiotic.
  • These resistant bacteria were found to carry one or more specific resistance genes: tet (K), tet (L), tet (M), or tet (O). The tet (M) gene was notably present in a majority (94.3%) of the resistant S. intermedius species, while the tet (K) gene was common in other staphylococcal species, irrespective of the host animal.
  • Interestingly, the researchers found that these resistance genes were distributed in seven different patterns across the tested samples.

Additional Findings

  • The researchers also noticed that a significant proportion (67.1%) of the tetracycline-resistant samples showed resistance to one or more other antibiotics, implying a possible multi-drug resistance problem.
  • Further exploration revealed that the location of these tetracycline resistance genes in the bacterial cell varied. The tet (K) and tet (L) genes were found on plasmids (small, circular pieces of DNA that bacteria can transfer between each other), while the tet (M) and tet (O) genes were associated with the bacterial chromosome (the main body of their DNA).
  • This finding is important as it suggests different mechanisms by which these bacteria can spread their antibiotic resistance genes, either via plasmid transfer or through reproduction.

Implications

  • The research highlights the critical issue of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, which can render certain treatments ineffective and pose significant public health challenges.
  • The identified genes and their distribution patterns can serve as potential targets for future efforts aimed at curbing tetracycline resistance – for example, by developing new drugs that can disrupt these genes or the mechanisms by which they’re spread.
  • The observation of tetracycline resistance in bacterial samples from a variety of domestic animals also emphasizes the importance of responsible antibiotic use in veterinary medicine, where such resistance can have significant spill-over effects on human health.

Cite This Article

APA
Schwarz S, Roberts MC, Werckenthin C, Pang Y, Lange C. (1998). Tetracycline resistance in Staphylococcus spp. from domestic animals. Vet Microbiol, 63(2-4), 217-227. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-1135(98)00234-x

Publication

Veterinary microbiology
ISSN: 0378-1135
NlmUniqueID: 7705469
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 63
Issue: 2-4
Pages: 217-227

Researcher Affiliations

Schwarz, S
  • Institut für Tierzucht und Tierverhalten der Bundesforschungsanstalt für Landwirtschaft Braunschweig-Völkenrode (FAL), Celle, Germany. schwarz@ktf.fal.de
Roberts, M C
    Werckenthin, C
      Pang, Y
        Lange, C

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Animals, Domestic / microbiology
          • Cats
          • Cattle
          • Columbidae
          • Dogs
          • Ducks
          • Guinea Pigs
          • Horses
          • Mink
          • Rabbits
          • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
          • Staphylococcal Infections / veterinary
          • Staphylococcus / drug effects
          • Staphylococcus / genetics
          • Staphylococcus / isolation & purification
          • Swine
          • Tetracycline Resistance
          • Turkeys

          Grant Funding

          • DE10913 / NIDCR NIH HHS

          Citations

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