Characterization of a beta-lactamase-specifying plasmid isolated from Eikenella corrodens and its relationship to a commensal Neisseria plasmid

Abstract

A 9.4-kilobase plasmid encoding penicillin, streptomycin, and sulfonamide resistance was isolated from a beta-lactamase-producing Eikenella corrodens strain. This plasmid appears to be identical to a resistance plasmid common to saprophytic Neisseria strains.

Chromobacterium, Eikenella, Kingella, Neisseria, Simonsiella, and Vitreoscilla Species Comprise a Major Branch of the Beta Group Proteobacteria by 16S Ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid Sequence Comparison: Transfer of Eikenella and Simonsiella to the Family Neisseriaceae (emend.)

“…A 9.4-kilobase plasmid encoding penicillin, streptomycin, and sulfonamide resistance isolated from Eikenella corrodens appears to be identical to a resistance plasmid commonly isolated from saprophytic Neisseria sp. strains (48). In contrast to the findings concerning the exchange of plasmids among these species, Tenjum et al (60) could not show genetic transformation between Eikenella corrodens and Neisseria and Kingella species.…”

Identification of a streptomycin resistance gene and a partial Tn3 transposon coding for a beta-lactamase in a periodontal strain of Eikenella corrodens

“…The organization of the streptomycin resistance gene of RSF1010 and the right section of Tn3 is similar to the organization found in pFM739 (18), a plasmid found in a strain of Neisseria sicca, which encodes a TEM-like ,-lactamase, streptomycin phosphotransferase, and a sulfonamide-resistant dihydropteroate synthetase (15). A plasmid that is similar, if not identical, to pFM739 has already been identified in E. corrodens (17). The similarity between the insert of pJML1 and pFM739 is limited to the right part of Tn3 and the streptomycin resistance gene.…”

Use of plasmid profiles in epidemiologic surveillance of disease outbreaks and in tracing the transmission of antibiotic resistance

“…The 173,184), between enteric and other gram-negative bacteria (36,70,171,195), and between or within nonenteric gramnegative organisms (148,165). The infectious nature of plasmids was a key feature in their discovery (see reference 56 for a review).…”