Resistance patterns and gene expression profiles of Arcobacter butzleri under exposure to selected antibiotics and disinfectants

Highlights

  • •
    Disinfectants trigger adaptive, strain-specific responses in Arcobacter butzleri.
  • •
    Overexpression of AMR and virulence genes in A. butzleri.
  • •
    Antibiotics induced limited transcriptomic changes.

Abstract

The rapid emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pose a major global threat to public health. Beyond antibiotics, disinfectants used in food-processing environments may also exert selective pressure that promotes bacterial responses overlapping with antibiotic resistance mechanisms. This study explored the interconnection between antibiotic and disinfectant resistance of the pathogen Arcobacter butzleri by combining phenotypic and transcriptomic analyses. Thirty-one strains isolated from a poultry slaughterhouse were screened for susceptibility to antibiotics from different classes and to commonly used disinfectants. Following an initial screening, 3 representative strains were selected for in-depth analyses and exposed to erythromycin and amoxicillin – clavulanic acid, an amine-based and a sodium hypochlorite with caustic potash disinfectants. Bacterial load, metabolic activity, and transcriptomic responses were assessed using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). All strains exhibited high levels of antibiotic resistance, including resistance to tetracycline and ampicillin. Antibiotic exposure was characterised by minimal reductions in bacterial load and few differentially expressed genes. In contrast, disinfectant exposure induced pronounced, strain-specific responses and resulted in the activation of multiple adaptive pathways. Differential gene expression involved chemotaxis regulators, DNA recombination, detoxification processes, Gram-negative cell wall components, protein and RNA processing systems. Notably, several genes associated with virulence and AMR (tonB, hecB, mexA, mexB, mviN, phoP, tetR, and ylaC), were overexpressed following disinfectants exposure, suggesting potential selection of virulence determinants following disinfectants exposure. The ability of A. butzleri to activate strain-specific adaptive mechanisms in response to antibiotics and disinfectants exposure may facilitate its persistence in food-processing environments and contribute to its pathogenic potential.

Read full article for free (open access):
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666517426000878



Popular posts from this blog

Salivary microbiome diversity is associated with oral health and disease

Image
The oral microbiome is a complex community of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that inhabit the oral cavity. Microbes of the oral microbiome are implicated in health and disease. We collected 220 unstimulated saliva samples from patients with periodontal disease and varying degrees of dental caries, as well as from subjects with no signs of oral disease. Metagenomic analysis of saliva revealed significantly higher abundance of periodontal pathogens in people with gum disease, and significantly higher abundance of cariogenic species in people with dental caries. We also found that salivary microbiome diversity was significantly higher in people with periodontal disease, but not in those with only caries. Furthermore, oral microbiome diversity is affected by oral hygiene habits such as flossing frequency, but not brushing frequency. Clustering and differential analysis allowed us to identify specific commensal species, such as  Prevotella pallens and Veillonella atypica , which are signi...
Read more

Pacific has one of most successful years for grants in school history

Image
University of the Pacific secured 62 grants from federal, state and county agencies totaling more than $36 million—one of the best years for government grants in school history. The dramatic increase in fiscal year 2023—double the amount awarded to Pacific in 2022—was largely driven by three of the university’s largest grants, which include $6 million for the School of Health Sciences to  expand the social work program , $5.6 million for Benerd College to  support mental health services in K-12 schools  and $5 million to McGeorge School of Law to  improve mental health services in California . This was the best year for grants at Pacific in 15 years. “This is a reflection of the exceptional work our faculty are doing to address pressing issues,” said David Ojcius, assistant provost for research and scholarship. “These grants will have a significant impact on the community.”   Read full article at: https://www.pacific.edu/pacific-newsroom/pacific-has-on...
Read more