Work

Efflux Pumps in Chromobacterium Species Increase Antibiotic Resistance and Promote Survival in a Coculture Competition Model

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: Antibiotic efflux pumps are best known for increasing antibiotic resistance of pathogens; however, the role of these pumps in saprophytes is much less well defined. This study describes two predicted efflux pump gene clusters in the Chromobacterium genus, which is comprised of both nonpathogenic saprophytes and species that cause highly fatal human infections. One of the predicted efflux pump clusters is present in every member of the Chromobacterium genus and increases resistance to a broad range of antibiotics. The other gene cluster has more narrow antibiotic specificity and is found only in Chromobacterium subtsugae , a subset of entirely nonpathogenic species. We demonstrate the role of both pumps in increasing antibiotic resistance and demonstrate the importance of efflux-dependent resistance induction for C. subtsugae survival in a dual-species competition model. These results have implications for managing antibiotic-resistant Chromobacterium infections and for understanding the evolution of efflux pumps outside the host.

Source: Applied and Environmental Microbiology

DOI: 10.1128/aem.00908-19

Authors: Saida Benomar, Kara C. Evans, Robert L. Unckless, Josephine R. Chandler

Institution: University of Kansas

Language: English

Topic: Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria

Subfield: Molecular Medicine

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases