Enterococcal Linear Plasmids Adapt to Enterococcus Faecium and Spread Within Multidrug-Resistant Clades

Overview

Journal Antimicrob Agents Chemother

Publisher American Society for Microbiology

Specialty Pharmacology

Date 2023 Mar 28

PMID 36975786

Authors

Yusuke Hashimoto

Masato Suzuki

Sae Kobayashi

Yuki Hirahara

Jun Kurushima

Hidetada Hirakawa

Takahiro Nomura

Koichi Tanimoto

Haruyoshi Tomita

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of bacterial pathogens, including enterococci, is a global concern, and plasmids are crucial for spreading and maintaining AMR genes. Plasmids with linear topology were identified recently in clinical multidrug-resistant enterococci. The enterococcal linear-form plasmids, such as pELF1, confer resistance to clinically important antimicrobials, including vancomycin; however, little information exists about their epidemiological and physiological effects. In this study, we identified several lineages of enterococcal linear plasmids that are structurally conserved and occur globally. pELF1-like linear plasmids show plasticity in acquiring and maintaining AMR genes, often via transposition with the mobile genetic element IS. This linear plasmid family has several characteristics enabling long-term persistence in the bacterial population, including high horizontal self-transmissibility, low-level transcription of plasmid-carried genes, and a moderate effect on the Enterococcus faecium genome alleviating fitness cost and promoting vertical inheritance. Combining all of these factors, the linear plasmid is an important factor in the spread and maintenance of AMR genes among enterococci.

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