Interspecies transfer of the penicillin-binding protein 3-encoding gene ftsI between Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus haemolyticus can confer reduced susceptibility to β-lactam antimicrobial agents.
Mutations in ftsI, encoding penicillin-binding protein 3, can cause decreased β-lactam susceptibility in Haemophilus influenzae. Sequencing of ftsI from clinical strains has indicated interspecies recombination of ftsI between H. influenzae and Haemophilus haemolyticus. This study documented apparently unrestricted homologous recombination of ftsI between H. influenzae and H. haemolyticus in vitro. Transfer of ftsI from resistant isolates conferred similar but not identical increases in the MICs of susceptible strains of H. influenzae and H. haemolyticus.
Department of Clinical Microbiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
Annette
A
Søndergaard
School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.
Elizabeth A
EA
Witherden
Department of Clinical Microbiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark nielnoer@rm.dk.
Niels
N
Nørskov-Lauritsen
School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.
Stephen G
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8485-0322
SG
Tristram
D000667:Ampicillin / Q000494:pharmacology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000494:pharmacology; D022761:Gene Transfer, Horizontal; D006190:Haemophilus / Q000235:genetics*; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000235:genetics*; D059765:Homologous Recombination / Q000235:genetics; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D018440:beta-Lactam Resistance / Q000235:genetics*; D047090:beta-Lactams / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; D047090:beta-Lactams; D000667:Ampicillin; D002439:Cefotaxime