title: Integration oferm(B)-containing elements through large chromosome fragment exchange inClostridium difficile.
abstract: InClostridium difficile,erm(B) genes are located on mobile elements like Tn5398and Tn6215. In previous studies, some of these elements were transferred by conjugation-like mechanisms, mobilizedin transby helper conjugative systems. In this study, we analyzed the genomes of several recipient strains that acquired either Tn5398or Tn6215-like elements. We demonstrated that the integration of the transposons in the genome of the recipient cell was always due to homologous recombination events, involving exchange of large chromosomal segments. We did not observed transposon transfer to aC. difficilestrain in presence of DNAse, suggesting that a possible transformation-like mechanism occurred in this recipient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases; Istituto Superiore di Sanità ; Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wasels
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases; Istituto Superiore di Sanità ; Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spigaglia
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases; Istituto Superiore di Sanità ; Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barbanti
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Pathogenèse des Bactéries Anaérobies; Institut Pasteur ; Paris, France.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Monot
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases; Istituto Superiore di Sanità ; Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Villa
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Pathogenèse des Bactéries Anaérobies; Institut Pasteur ; Paris, France.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dupuy
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases; Istituto Superiore di Sanità ; Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carattoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases; Istituto Superiore di Sanità ; Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mastrantonio
keywords: Clostridium difficile; antibiotic resistance; erythromycin; mobile elements