Arsenic and cadmium resistance in environmental isolates of Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia intermedia.
Environmental strains of Yersinia enterocolitica representing biotype 1A lack virulence plasmid (pYV) and are regarded as non-pathogenic. Though these occupy a diverse range of environmental niches, nothing is known about their resistance to heavy metals. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of various metal ions, namely Ag+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, As5+, and As3+, for strains of Yersinia enterocolitica (biotype 1A) and Yersinia intermedia (biotypes 1, 2, and 4), isolated from sewage effluents or pork, were determined. All isolates were resistant (MICs 2.5-5 mM) to Cd2+. The MICs of arsenic varied with bacterial strain and the chemical species of the arsenic used. For the majority of the strains, however, it was between 5-10 mM of Na2HAsO4.7H2O and NaAsO2, and 0.625-2.5 mM of As2O3. Except for one isolate, MICs of Ag+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ for these strains were in the range of 0.3-0.625 mM.
Bansal
N
N
Department of Microbiology, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, India.
Sinha
I
I
Virdi
J S
JS
D000818:Animals; D001151:Arsenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002104:Cadmium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D008460:Meat / Q000382:microbiology; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000494:pharmacology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D012722:Sewage / Q000382:microbiology; D013552:Swine; D015007:Yersinia / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015008:Yersinia enterocolitica / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012722:Sewage; D002104:Cadmium; D001151:Arsenic