Antibiotic susceptibility patterns and resistance genes of starter cultures and probiotic bacteria used in food

Assessment of Antibiotic Resistance in Probiotic Lactobacilli

“…In the PROSAFE project, probiotic lactobacilli possessed erm(B) and/or tet(W), tet(M) or unidentified members of the tet(M) group (Klare et al, 2007). In probiotic commercial L. reuteri ATCC 55730, tet(W) and the lincosamide resistance gene lnu(A) were detected (Kastner et al, 2006). Hummel et al determined antibiotic resistances of probiotic lactobacilli and to verify these at the genetic level.…”

“…In vitro intra-and interspecies filter-mating experiments failed to show transfer of resistance determinants. L. reuteri ATCC 55730, a commercially available, well-documented a probiotic bacterium, has been shown to carry unusual resistances to tetracycline and lincosamides (Kastner et al, 2006). Deletion of the two plasmids was achieved by use of a protoplast-formation technique.…”

Characterization of Antibacterial Activity and Potential as Probiotic of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Goat’s Milk in Algeria

“…Bacteriocin production was determined by the well diffusion agar method. The diameters of inhibition zone were measured after incubation 24 h at 37 °C [24].…”

Antibiotic Susceptibility of Probiotic Bacteria

“…Although many species of LAB used as starter and probiotic cultures possess GRAS status, potential risk to human health caused by the genes transfer of antibiotic resistance has not yet been fully defined. To address this aspect, the safety of LAB should be verified with the respect of their ability to acquire and disseminate resistance determinants (Kastner et al, 2006). Particular concern is due to the evidence of a widespread occurrence in this bacterial group of conjugative plasmids and transposons.…”

“…Coppola et al, (2005) pointed out that all of 63 L. rhamnosus strains isolated from Parmigiano Reggiano cheese showed resistance to six antibiotics (cefixime, vancomycin, neomycin, enoxacin, peflxacin, and sulphamethoxazole plus trimetoprim). Investigating the current antibiotic-resistance situation in microbial food additives in Switzerland, Kastner et al, (2006) determined that among 74 Lactobacillus isolates applicable as starter or probiotic cultures, two antibiotic resistances were detected in probiotic cultures. The genetic base of those resistances was confirmed; the tetracycline resistance gene tet(W) in L. reuteri SD 2112 (residing on a plasmid) and the lincosamide resistance gene lnu(A) in L. reuteri SD 2112.…”