title: Ciliates promote the transfer of the gene encoding the extended-spectrum β-lactamase CTX-M-27 between Escherichia coli strains.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The mechanism by which Escherichia coli acquires multidrug resistance genes from other bacteria in the natural environment or livestock is still unclear. The ability of ciliates to promote the transfer of genes encoding extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) between the CTX-M-27 donor and clinically isolated recipient E. coli strains was investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Equal amounts (∼10(9) cfu) of donor cefotaxime-resistant E. coli and recipient ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli strains were mixed together in the presence or absence of 10(5) ciliates in Page's amoeba saline for 24 h, in the presence or absence of certain drugs (cytochalasin D, cycloheximide and latrunculin B).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gene transfer frequency in the presence of ciliates was estimated at ∼10(-6); in the absence of ciliates it was ∼10(-10). Protein synthesis (cycloheximide) or phagocytosis (cytochalasin D or latrunculin B) inhibitors significantly reduced the frequency of gene transfer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ciliates promote the transfer of genes encoding ESBLs between E. coli strains, implying that the presence of ciliates may provide a significant impact on emerging multidrug-resistant bacteria.
authors.affiliation: Hokkaido University Hospital, Nishi-5 Kita-14, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0812, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oguri
authors.forename: Junji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Matsuo
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hanawa
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fukumoto
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mizutani
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Kouzi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Akizawa
authors.forename: Haruki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Chikara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsuno
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kamiya
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000494:pharmacology; D016798:Ciliophora / Q000502:physiology*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D022761:Gene Transfer, Horizontal; D006801:Humans; D056265:Microbial Interactions; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003470:Culture Media; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; C477098:CTX-M-27, E coli; D001618:beta-Lactamases; D002439:Cefotaxime