Characterization of Antibiotic, Heavy Metal, and Benzalkonium Chloride Resistance of Plasmid-carrying Listeria monocytogenes
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Abstract:
The major aims of this study included the characterization of plasmids carried by Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), and an in-depth analysis of the sensitivity of plasmid-carrying Lm towards antibiotics, the heavy metal cadmium, and benzalkonium chloride. The results of this study showed the presence of endogenous plasmids in 11 Lm strains. All Lm strains displayed average sensitivity to amoxicillin, erythromycin, and rifampicin (22/22), and 100% resistance to cefradine (22/22). Five strains showed intermediate resistance to vancomycin hydrochloride, while some strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin (17/22), neomycinsulphate (16/22), and tetracycline hydrochloride (9/22). The analysis of cadmium resistance showed the presence of plasmids in all strains resistant to the heavy metal cadmium (14/22). In contrast, only three of the plasmid-carrying Lm strains were determined to be resistant to benzalkonium chloride. All Lm strains were identified and lysed via the phage sterilization method. In summary, although the plasmid-carrying Lm isolates displayed increased drug-, benzalkonium chloride-, and cadmium-resistance, they were susceptible to phage action. Therefore, the results of this study indicate a novel method for the control of drug resistance and pollution by resistant-bacteria.
