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Macrolide resistance and In Vitro selection of resistance to antibiotics in Lactobacillus isolates

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Abstract

Spreading of resistance to antibiotics is of great concern due to the increasing rate of isolation of multiresistant pathogens. Since commensal bacteria may transfer determinants of resistance to pathogens, studies on development of resistance should include also lactobacilli. Resistance to macrolides, penicillins and tetracycline was determined in 40 isolates of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus crispatus, and Lactobacillus casei isolated from faeces of apparently healthy volunteers. Frequency of mutation and changes in susceptibility after serial exposure to these antibiotics at concentrations of 4× and 8× MIC were evaluated in susceptible isolates. Acquired resistance was defined as an increment in MIC values of at least four times in respect to the pre-selection values. Resistance to macrolides and/or tetracycline was identified in 14 and 4 isolates, respectively. ermB gene and A2058G mutation in 23S rRNA were detected in macrolide resistant isolates. Frequencies of mutation of susceptible isolates (n=26) were lower for ampicillin and erythromycin than for tetracycline. Serial exposure to antibiotics led to selection of resistant mutants. However, acquired resistance was rather unstable and was lost after subcultures in antibiotic-free medium in most mutants. Resistance to erythromycin was associated to a A2058G mutation in 23S rRNA. In conclusion, results indicate that resistance to macrolides and tetracycline is present among intestinal lactobacilli. Decrease in susceptibility following serial exposure to antibiotics might occur in lactobacilli, in a strain- and antibiotic-dependent way. Since lactobacilli are often used as probiotics, their ability to acquire resistance should be evaluated for isolates candidate to be included in probiotics based products.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lab of Clinical-Chemistry and Microbiology, IRCCS Galeazzi Institute, Via R. Galeazzi 4, 20161, Milan, Italy

    Lorenzo Drago, Lucia Nicola & Elena De Vecchi

  2. Lab of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Clinical Science L.Sacco, University of Milan, Via GB Grassi 74, 20157, Milan, Italy

    Lorenzo Drago & Valentina Rodighiero

  3. Department of Public Health, Microbiology and Virology, University of Milan, Via Pascal 36, 20133, Milan, Italy

    Roberto Mattina

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  1. Lorenzo Drago
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  2. Roberto Mattina
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  3. Lucia Nicola
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  4. Valentina Rodighiero
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  5. Elena De Vecchi
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Correspondence to Lorenzo Drago.

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Drago, L., Mattina, R., Nicola, L. et al. Macrolide resistance and In Vitro selection of resistance to antibiotics in Lactobacillus isolates. J Microbiol. 49, 651–656 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-011-0470-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-011-0470-1

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