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Environmental microbiology2020; 22(7); 2858-2869; doi: 10.1111/1462-2920.15020

The novel and transferable erm(51) gene confers macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramins B (MLSB ) resistance to clonal Rhodococcus equi in the environment.

Abstract: The use of mass antimicrobial treatment has been linked to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in human and animal pathogens. Using whole-genome single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing, we characterized genomic variability of multidrug-resistant Rhodococcus equi isolated from soil samples from 100 farms endemic for R. equi infections in Kentucky. We discovered the novel erm(51)-encoding resistance to MLS in R. equi isolates from soil of horse-breeding farms. Erm(51) is inserted in a transposon (TnErm51) that is associated with a putative conjugative plasmid (pRErm51), a mobilizable plasmid (pMobErm51), or both enabling horizontal gene transfer to susceptible organisms and conferring high levels of resistance against MLS in vitro. This new resistant genotype also carries a previously unidentified rpoB mutation conferring resistance to rifampicin. Isolates carrying both vapA and erm(51) were rarely found, indicating either a recent acquisition of erm(51) and/or impaired survival when isolates carry both genes. Isolates carrying erm(51) are closely related genetically and were likely selected by antimicrobial exposure in the environment.
© 2020 Society for Applied Microbiology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2020-05-04 PubMed ID: 32291839DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15020Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 study identifies a new gene, erm(51), found in Rhodococcus equi bacteria which causes resistance to several types of antibiotics. It also uncovers how these bacteria gain this resistance, and posits that this might be due to widespread use of antibiotics.

Study Methodology

  • The research team used an advanced sequencing technique called whole-genome single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing to study samples of multidrug-resistant Rhodococcus equi bacteria isolated from soil samples from 100 different farms in Kentucky that are notorious for R. equi infections.
  • The main focus of the study was to analyse the genomic variability of these bacteria, and identify any unique genetic features that may contribute to antimicrobial resistance.

Key Findings

  • The researchers discovered a new gene, erm(51), in these bacteria, which promotes resistance to a group of antibiotics that include macrolides, lincosamides, and streptogramins B (MLS).
  • The erm(51) gene is situated in a transposon (TnErm51) – a DNA sequence that can change its position within the genome, thereby creating or reversing mutations and altering the cell’s genetic identity and its genome size. This transposon is associated with a hypothesised conjugal plasmid (pRErm51) or a mobilizable plasmid (pMobErm51), or both. A conjugative plasmid is a type of self-transmissible DNA element and a mobilizable plasmid carries genes which enable the initiation of plasmid transfer.
  • When either of these plasmids are present, the bacterium can transfer the erm(51) gene to other susceptible organisms, leading to resistance to MLS antibiotics.
  • The strains that were carrying the erm(51) gene were also found to have another previously unidentified mutation in the rpoB gene that makes them resistant to the antibiotic rifampicin.
  • The researchers rarely found instances where a strain carried both the vapA and erm(51) genes, suggesting that the acquisition of the erm(51) gene was a relatively recent evolutionary development, or that the bacterium’s survival is hindered in some way when it carries both genes.
  • Last, the study posits that widespread use of antibiotics might have put a selective pressure on the bacteria, leading to the genetic mutation and the spread of the erm(51) gene.

Cite This Article

APA
Huber L, Giguère S, Slovis NM, Álvarez-Narváez S, Hart KA, Greiter M, Morris ERA, Cohen ND. (2020). The novel and transferable erm(51) gene confers macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramins B (MLSB ) resistance to clonal Rhodococcus equi in the environment. Environ Microbiol, 22(7), 2858-2869. https://doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.15020

Publication

Environmental microbiology
ISSN: 1462-2920
NlmUniqueID: 100883692
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 22
Issue: 7
Pages: 2858-2869

Researcher Affiliations

Huber, Laura
  • Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA.
Giguère, Steeve
  • Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA.
Slovis, Nathan M
  • Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Álvarez-Narváez, Sonsiray
  • Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA.
Hart, Kelsey A
  • Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA.
Greiter, Maggie
  • Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Morris, Ellen Ruth A
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
Cohen, Noah D
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • DNA Transposable Elements / genetics
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / genetics
  • Farms
  • Gene Transfer, Horizontal
  • Genome, Bacterial / genetics
  • Horses
  • Lincosamides / pharmacology
  • Macrolides / pharmacology
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Rhodococcus equi / drug effects
  • Rhodococcus equi / genetics
  • Streptogramin B / pharmacology
  • Streptogramin Group B / pharmacology
  • Virginiamycin / pharmacology

Grant Funding

  • Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation

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Citations

This article has been cited 11 times.
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