Incidence of R-plasmids in toxigenic & non-toxigenic strains of Escherichia coli from children with diarrhoea.
Toxigenic (30) and non-toxigenic (30) multiresistant strains of Esch. coli were studied for the incidence of R-plasmids. ST+, LT+ and ST+ LT+ plasmids were produced by 66.7, 30 and 3.3 per cent of toxigenic strains, respectively. ACST was the predominant resistance pattern in both the types. Incidence of R-plasmid in the toxigenic strains was 73.3 per cent as compared to 60 per cent in the non-toxigenic strains. Non-conjugative R-plasmid was present in 10 per cent of the non-toxigenic strain. In 13.3 per cent of toxigenic Esch. coli strains along with the transfer of antibiotic resistance, the ability to produce enterotoxin was also conferred on the recipient. This suggests that the genes coding for antibiotic resistance and enterotoxin are frequently associated and can be transferred together in vitro.
Chakravarti
A
A
Department of Microbiology, University College of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
Mathur
M
M
Talwar
V
V
Gupta
H
H
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000382:microbiology*; D003968:Diarrhea, Infantile / Q000382:microbiology*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial / Q000235:genetics; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011815:R Factors