Natural Horizontal Gene Transfer of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Campylobacter spp. From Turkeys and Swine

• DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.732969
• Publication Date: 2021-09-27T19:37:37Z
• Authors: Vanina Guernier-C...; Julian Trachsel; Joel Maki; Jing Qi; Matthew J. Sylte; Zahra Hanafy; Sophia Kathariou; Torey Looft
• Keywords: Horizontal Gene Transfer; Campylobacteriosis; Campylobacter coli

Antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter constitutes a serious threat to public health. The clonal expansion of resistant strains and/or the horizontal spread resistance genes other and species can hinder clinical effectiveness antibiotics treat severe campylobacteriosis. Still, gaps exist in our understanding risks acquisition antibiotic Campylobacter. While vitro transfer antimicrobial between via natural transformation has been extensively demonstrated, experimental studies have favored use naked DNA obtain transformants. In this study, we used designs closer real-world conditions evaluate possible same or different (Campylobacter coli jejuni) originating from animal hosts (swine turkeys). This was evaluated through co-culture experiments vivo with dual-strain inoculation turkeys, followed by whole genome sequencing parental newly emerged strains. vitro, observed four independent gene events leading beta-lactams (blaOXA), aminoglycosides [aph(2'')-If rpsL] tetracycline [tet(O)]. Observed involved displacement resistance-associated mutated version, genomic islands harboring determinant homologous recombination; did not detect resistance-carrying plasmids even though they were present some vivo, recovered strain dual-resistance pattern identified replacement an existing non-functional tet(O) functional recipient strain. Whole comparisons allowed characterization following dual inoculation. Our study also highlights potential for across turkeys swine, which may implications farms hosting both close proximity.