Transferable plasmid-mediated resistance to streptomycin in a clinical isolate of Yersinia pestis.

Abstract

Plasmid-mediated high-level resistance to multiple antibiotics was reported in a clinical isolate of Yersinia pestis in Madagascar in 1997. We describe a second Y. pestis strain with high-level resistance to streptomycin, isolated from a human case of bubonic plague in Madagascar. The resistance determinants were carried by a self-transferable plasmid that could conjugate at high frequencies to other Y. pestis isolates. The plasmid and the host bacterium were different from those previously associated with multiple-drug resistance, indicating that acquisition of resistance plasmids is occurring in this bacterial species. Emergence of resistance to streptomycin in Y. pestis represents a critical public health problem since this antibiotic is used as the first-line treatment against plague in many countries.

• Authors: A Guiyoule, G Gerbaud, C Buchrieser, M Galimand, L Rahalison, S Chanteau, P Courvalin, E Carniel
• Journal: Emerging infectious diseases (Emerg Infect Dis) 2001 Jan-Feb Vol. 7 Issue 1 Pg. 43-8 ISSN: 1080-6040 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11266293 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Streptomycin

Topics

• Conjugation, Genetic
• Humans
• R Factors
• Streptomycin (pharmacology)
• Yersinia pestis (drug effects, genetics)