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11 pages, 1427 KB  
Article
Planococcus dechangensis NEAU-ST10-9T Promotes Maize Seedling Root Development: Evidence from Effective Fluorescence Tracking
by Qi Zhou, Zhenyu Huang, Han Li, Jiaying Xiong, Meixia Chen, Yan Liu, Wei Liu, Yanlai Yao, Ramon Gonzalez, Yu Li, Aiqin Shi and Fuping Lu
Microorganisms 2026, 14(5), 1139; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14051139 - 17 May 2026
Viewed by 449
Abstract
Understanding the interaction between plants and rhizosphere microorganisms is critical for the development of biofertilizers. Fluorescent labeling of rhizosphere microorganisms serves as a key strategy to track their behavior during plant–microbe coculture. However, most newly isolated strains are novel and lack available molecular [...] Read more.
Understanding the interaction between plants and rhizosphere microorganisms is critical for the development of biofertilizers. Fluorescent labeling of rhizosphere microorganisms serves as a key strategy to track their behavior during plant–microbe coculture. However, most newly isolated strains are novel and lack available molecular tools for such studies. In this research, Planococcus dechangensis NEAU-ST10-9T (P. dechangensis NEAU-ST10-9T), a salt-tolerant strain, was obtained from the China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center (CGMCC). It significantly increased maize root length by approximately 1.56-fold. To investigate the underlying mechanism, a donor strain (Ec102) and a shuttle plasmid (pAS104) were engineered to mediate conjugation with P. dechangensis NEAU-ST10-9T and drive GFP overexpression in the bacterium, generating the genetically labeled strain Pd103. The fluorescence intensity (expressed as GFP/OD600, arbitrary units) of Pd103 increased with bacterial growth and was approximately tenfold higher than that of the wild-type strain after 16 h of culture. Following inoculation onto maize seeds, confocal microscopy analysis revealed that Pd103 colonized the epidermis and endodermis of maize roots. These results indicated that P. dechangensis NEAU-ST10-9T could invade maize roots and promote maize seedling growth. In summary, we have successfully established a robust fluorescence labeling and tracking system tailored for P. dechangensis NEAU-ST10-9T, which constitutes a valuable tool for elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing its plant–microbe interaction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Microbiology)
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15 pages, 2023 KB  
Article
Phenotypic and Genetic Characteristics of blaIMP-6-Harboring Enterobacterales Isolates Lacking blaCTX-M-2 in Japan
by Koichi Yamaguchi, Ryuichi Nakano, Akiyo Nakano, Rio Kishi, Kai Saito, Mako Watanabe, Yuki Suzuki, Ryuji Sakata, Miho Ogawa and Hisakazu Yano
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(10), 4269; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27104269 - 11 May 2026
Viewed by 375
Abstract
Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) is a global threat. IMP-6, a prevalent carbapenemase in western Japan, is mostly disseminated via CTX-M-2 extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) co-producing Enterobacterales. However, the existence and characteristics of Enterobacterales harboring blaIMP-6 without blaCTX-M-2 remain unclear. We analyzed the [...] Read more.
Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) is a global threat. IMP-6, a prevalent carbapenemase in western Japan, is mostly disseminated via CTX-M-2 extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) co-producing Enterobacterales. However, the existence and characteristics of Enterobacterales harboring blaIMP-6 without blaCTX-M-2 remain unclear. We analyzed the phenotypic and genetic characteristics of clinical blaIMP-6-harboring Enterobacterales isolates, focusing on those lacking blaCTX-M-2. Overall, 220 blaIMP-6-harboring isolates collected from 76 Japanese hospitals between 2014 and 2021 were characterized by antimicrobial susceptibility, presence of CTX-M-type ESBLs, plasmid incompatibility, plasmid transfer experiments, and genome sequencing and analysis. Among these, 203 co-harbored blaCTX-M-2 group, with 90% of them demonstrating high conjugation frequency and broad-spectrum resistance to β-lactams. Of the remaining 17 isolates, nine lacked blaCTX-M, while eight co-harbored blaCTX-M-1 group (n = 2) or blaCTX-M-9 group (n = 6). Eleven isolates carried nontransferable plasmids with genetic structures distinct from those of blaIMP-6 and blaCTX-M-2 co-encoding plasmids, including eight non-incompatibility N plasmids. Fifteen isolates carried only blaIMP-6-encoding plasmids; two carried plasmids with blaIMP-6 and blaCTX-M (blaCTX-M-27 or blaCTX-M-65). This novel study revealed that blaIMP-6 can exist without blaCTX-M-2 on diverse, often nontransferable plasmids, suggesting distinct, lower dissemination pathways compared to those of epidemic blaCTX-M-2 co-carrying plasmids and highlighting previously overlooked plasmids that necessitate close monitoring. Full article
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13 pages, 763 KB  
Article
Antimicrobial Susceptibility and Characterization of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases in Escherichia coli Isolated from Buffalo Mastitis Milk in Guangdong Province, China
by Yunchen Zhou, Rong Xi, Siran Wang, Ban Li, Yue Wu, Chengbo Wen and Dexian Zhang
Microorganisms 2026, 14(5), 1055; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14051055 - 8 May 2026
Viewed by 382
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Escherichia coli (E. coli) from food-producing animals constitutes a substantial public health concern. This study characterized antimicrobial resistance profiles, phylogenetic diversity, virulence-gene distribution, and plasmid-borne extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) determinants of E. coli isolates recovered from water buffaloes [...] Read more.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Escherichia coli (E. coli) from food-producing animals constitutes a substantial public health concern. This study characterized antimicrobial resistance profiles, phylogenetic diversity, virulence-gene distribution, and plasmid-borne extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) determinants of E. coli isolates recovered from water buffaloes with subclinical mastitis. Among the 54 ESBL-producing E. coli isolates, all were resistant to ampicillin and cefotaxime. High resistance rates were also observed for cephalothin (75.9%), trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (74.0%), ceftiofur (70.4%), florfenicol (68.5%), and cefazolin (63.0%). Lower resistance was recorded for colistin sulfate (40.7%), enrofloxacin (33.3%), and gentamicin (25.9%). Phylogenetic analysis of ESBL producers identified phylogroup B1 (42.6%) as predominant, followed by groups A (29.6%) and D (25.9%). Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) revealed that ST50 (20.4%) was the most common sequence type, and serogroup O150 was dominant (70.4%). Virulence genes, such as iss (81.5%), astA (59.3%), and espP (38.9%), were frequently detected among ESBL isolates. ESBL genes were predominantly blaCTX-M-1 (27.8%) in all isolates, while the narrow-spectrum β-lactamase genes blaTEM-1 (55.6%) and blaOXA-10 (14.8%) were also commonly co-detected. Bioinformatic analysis predicted that all ESBL genes were associated with plasmid-derived contigs, with the predicted plasmid size ranging from approximately 32 to 187 kb and belonging to IncFIB, IncFIA, IncI1, IncFIA + I1, and IncFII replicon types. Conjugation frequencies ranged from 4.8 × 10−7 to 4.1 × 10−2, and plasmids were predicted to carry additional resistance genes mediating resistance to chloramphenicol (floR), sulfonamides (sul1, sul3), tetracyclines (tet(A) and tet(B)), and trimethoprim (dfrA1, dfrA12). The co-carriage of ESBL genes with additional antimicrobial resistance and virulence determinants suggests the potential role of water buffaloes as reservoirs of clinically relevant resistance traits that may disseminate through horizontal gene transfer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Antimicrobial Agents and Resistance)
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17 pages, 1073 KB  
Article
Plasmid-Encoded Nitrogen and Carbon Pathways Enhance Metabolic Flexibility of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria from Municipal Wastewater
by Shahjahon Begmatov, Andrey L. Rakitin, Yulia Y. Berestovskaya, Alexey V. Beletsky, Andrey V. Mardanov and Nikolai V. Ravin
Microorganisms 2026, 14(5), 1048; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14051048 - 7 May 2026
Viewed by 363
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants represent a primary source of environmental dissemination of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, underscoring the urgent need for in-depth investigation of these organisms. While the resistome of MDR bacteria has been extensively studied, there remains a critical gap in understanding the role [...] Read more.
Wastewater treatment plants represent a primary source of environmental dissemination of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, underscoring the urgent need for in-depth investigation of these organisms. While the resistome of MDR bacteria has been extensively studied, there remains a critical gap in understanding the role of plasmid-borne genes encoding adaptive metabolic functions. We isolated two MDR strains from municipal wastewater, Klebsiella sp. KOS9 and Pseudomonas veronii Yu15, both exhibiting resistance to antibiotics, including ampicillin, cefazolin, kanamycin, streptomycin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and ciprofloxacin. The plasmids of these strains harbored genes encoding aliphatic amidases, as well as antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and enzymes involved in glycogen and dTDP-L-rhamnose biosynthesis, which may contribute to virulence. In Klebsiella sp. KOS9 a single acetamidase operon, was found on the megaplasmid, along with copper and silver resistance genes. P. veronii Yu15 harbored an operon containing the acetamidase and formamidase genes on the chromosome, as well as a phylogenetically distant acetamidase operon on the conjugative megaplasmid. Both strains exhibit acetamidase activity and P. veronii Yu15 was able to utilize acetamide and formamide as sole nitrogen sources. The occurrence of ARGs and adaptive accessory genes on plasmids likely enhances the competitiveness and environmental flexibility of these MDR bacteria. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Microbial Genomics in the AMR Field)
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27 pages, 2459 KB  
Systematic Review
Mobile Genetic Elements Associated with Antimicrobial Resistance Across One Health Interfaces in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Kedir A. Hassen, Jose Fafetine, Laurinda Augusto, Inacio Mandomando, Marcelino Garrine, Rogerio Marcos and Gudeta W. Sileshi
Antibiotics 2026, 15(5), 456; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics15050456 - 30 Apr 2026
Viewed by 760
Abstract
Background: High infectious disease burden and uncontrolled antibiotic usage across human, animal, and environmental contaminants make antimicrobial resistance (AMR) a growing public health problem in Africa. Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) such plasmids, transposons, integrons, conjugative elements, and phages help spread AMR via horizontal [...] Read more.
Background: High infectious disease burden and uncontrolled antibiotic usage across human, animal, and environmental contaminants make antimicrobial resistance (AMR) a growing public health problem in Africa. Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) such plasmids, transposons, integrons, conjugative elements, and phages help spread AMR via horizontal gene transfer (HGT) across human, animal, food, and environmental sources. Despite growing evidence for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), Africa lacks a one-health-focused synthesis of mobile genetic element-mediated AMR. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to consolidate information on MGEs and ARGs in AMR dissemination throughout Africa’s one health interface. Methods: The literature was searched using PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. Observational. molecular epidemiology, whole genome sequencing (WGS), and metagenomic investigations of MGE-associated AMR in Africa were eligible. The study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed by two independent reviewer and quality was graded using ROBVIS 2 utilizing Rayyan software. Narrative synthesis, random-effect meta-analysis, subgroup analysis, and meta-regression were utilized. Results: A total of 109 studies were included, with 91 studies contributing to the meta-analysis. MGEs reported were plasmids (71.7%) and integrons (54.8%). ARGs carried by MGEs were blaCTMX-M-15 (78.6%), Sul2 (69.6%), blaTEM (59.1%), and tetA (49.9%). Horizontal gene transfer was seen in 259 instances; however, transmission was unclear. In 442 observations, transmission pathways across human, animal, and environmental interfaces showed AMR prevalence of 75.1% in human, 98.0% in human–animal, and 61.3% in one health interface. Whole-genome sequencing was the most frequently used method for detecting MGEsThe pooled pathogen and AMR prevalence rates were 73.3% (95% CI: 60.5–83.7%) and 94% (95% CI: 85–98%), with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 97.8% and 97.4%, respectively). The prevalence of Escherichia coli was 93% and Salmonella enterica 85% in subgroup analysis. Fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, and beta-lactams were prevalent in humans (89.7%) and human–animal interactions (98.0%) according to AMR Class. Conclusions: Horizontal gene transfer has propagated MGE-mediated antimicrobial resistance across human, animal, and environmental interfaces in Africa. To combat AMR in Africa, coordinated, genomics-informed One Health surveillance and antibiotic stewardship are needed. Due to variability and publication bias, these data should be considered cautiously. Pooled data may only show descriptive patterns, and not necessarily precise continent-wide prevalence estimates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotic Resistance Genes: Mechanisms, Evolution and Dissemination)
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15 pages, 1920 KB  
Article
Two Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Isolates from Blood Cultures After Cervical Conization in a Patient with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Grade II: Phenotypic and Genomic Characterization
by Jingrui Zhang, Xiao Liu, Li Liu, Yeshun Fan, Zhiwen Sun, Mengjie Li, Yanwen Xiong, Zengbin Liu, Yanfang Li, Lili Yu, Hongru Feng, Duochun Wang and Jingxiao Zhang
Pathogens 2026, 15(5), 476; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15050476 - 28 Apr 2026
Viewed by 343
Abstract
Patients undergoing cervical conization for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade II (CIN II) may develop postoperative bloodstream infections (BSIs), and multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli isolates with distinct resistance profiles can complicate antimicrobial management. In this case-based study, two E. coli strains, HBFY-1 and HBFY-2, [...] Read more.
Patients undergoing cervical conization for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade II (CIN II) may develop postoperative bloodstream infections (BSIs), and multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli isolates with distinct resistance profiles can complicate antimicrobial management. In this case-based study, two E. coli strains, HBFY-1 and HBFY-2, were recovered from blood cultures obtained from a 38-year-old CIN II patient with postoperative fever. The isolates were characterized by antimicrobial susceptibility testing, whole-genome sequencing, conjugation assays, and comparative genomics against publicly available genomes matched by sequence type and serotype. Fever occurred on postoperative day 2. HBFY-1 was fluoroquinolone-resistant; belonged to ST744/O101:H9; carried the extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) gene blaCTX-M-27; was phenotypically confirmed as an ESBL producer; and grouped within a multi-source near-neighbor clade consistent with a conserved fluoroquinolone-associated resistance backbone in ST744/O101:H9. HBFY-2 was carbapenem-resistant; belonged to ST48/O113:H32; carried blaNDM-5 on an IncY-associated plasmid bin; was phenotypically confirmed as a metallo-carbapenemase producer; and did not harbor any ESBL gene. Within the matched ST48/O113:H32 dataset, blaNDM-5 was detected only in HBFY-2, which clustered within an Asia-enriched lineage, including China-derived human and swine genomes. The blaCTX-M-27-associated and blaNDM-5-associated elements were transferred to E. coli C600 at frequencies of 5.3 × 10−2 and 4.6 × 10−6, respectively, and transfer of the blaNDM-5-associated element imposed no detectable growth penalty under the tested conditions. As this study is based on a single clinical case, the findings should be interpreted cautiously, yet they still highlight the potential value of integrating susceptibility testing with rapid genomic characterization for identifying mobilizable carbapenem-resistance platforms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Bacterial Pathogens)
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9 pages, 1219 KB  
Brief Report
Emergence of Linezolid Resistance Genes optrA and poxtA in an Avian Enterococcus asini
by Yuanyuan Li, Huirong Tang, Yating Chen, Yirou Guo, Junhao Hong, Xiao Luo, Jian-Hua Liu and Yi-Yun Liu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(9), 3718; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27093718 - 22 Apr 2026
Viewed by 541
Abstract
Linezolid represents a critical last-resort treatment for severe multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-positive bacterial infections. Rising linezolid resistance in Enterococcus isolates threatens its efficacy; this study characterized the molecular features and transfer potential of plasmid-encoded linezolid resistance genes optrA and poxtA in a linezolid-resistant Enterococcus [...] Read more.
Linezolid represents a critical last-resort treatment for severe multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-positive bacterial infections. Rising linezolid resistance in Enterococcus isolates threatens its efficacy; this study characterized the molecular features and transfer potential of plasmid-encoded linezolid resistance genes optrA and poxtA in a linezolid-resistant Enterococcus asini isolate from chickens. An E. asini strain was isolated during a surveillance program focusing on drug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria in poultry. PCR screened linezolid resistance genes, conjugation and plasmid stability assays evaluated gene transferability and stability, and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed using both the Illumina and Nanopore platforms. We present the first detection of optrA and poxtA genes in E. asini recovered from chicken feces in China. Sequence analysis of the complete genome showed that poxtA and optrA were situated on two distinct plasmids. The poxtA positive plasmid, pHNGXN23C145Ea-1, also carried multiple resistance genes, including tet(S), fexB, erm(B), ant(6)-Ia, aph(3′)-III. Furthermore, the poxtA gene was flanked by IS1216E mobile elements. The optrA bearing plasmid, pHNGXN23C145Ea-2, harbours a common genetic array of ‘IS1216E fexA-optrA-erm(A)-IS1216E’. Conjugation experiments indicated that neither the poxtA- nor the optrA-bearing plasmid was transferred to recipient strains, which was consistent with sequence analysis showing that both plasmids lacked intact conjugative transfer regions. Stability assays confirmed that poxtA and optrA remained highly stable in the absence of selective pressure. Notably, this discovery was made in a livestock sample, despite the non-use of linezolid in food animals, suggesting that such niches may act as silent reservoirs for resistance genes, which could persist and potentially transfer to clinically relevant MDR pathogens. Full article
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37 pages, 4973 KB  
Review
Mobile Genetic Elements as Central Drivers of Antimicrobial Resistance: Molecular Mechanisms, Evolutionary Ecology, One Health Implications and Control Strategies
by Hemayet Hossain, Md. Hasan Ali, Tanvir Ahmad, Snigdha Sharmin Binte Sayeed, Md. Abdur Nur Sakib, Khadiza Akter Brishty, Md. Shah Jahan Saleh, Md. Mosharof Hosen, Shahabuddin Ahmed, Shihab Ahmed, Md. Shahidur Rahman Chowdhury and Md. Mahfujur Rahman
Antibiotics 2026, 15(4), 418; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics15040418 - 20 Apr 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2103
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a global health crisis, driven largely by the mobility of resistance determinants through mobile genetic elements (MGEs). These include plasmids, integrons, insertion sequences, transposons, integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs), and prophages, which together facilitate horizontal gene transfer (HGT) across [...] Read more.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a global health crisis, driven largely by the mobility of resistance determinants through mobile genetic elements (MGEs). These include plasmids, integrons, insertion sequences, transposons, integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs), and prophages, which together facilitate horizontal gene transfer (HGT) across bacterial species and ecosystems. This review aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge on the types, mechanisms, ecological drivers, and impacts of MGEs in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Methods involved critical evaluation of recent genomic, epidemiological, and ecological studies, alongside case studies of clinically significant resistance outbreaks. Findings highlight how MGEs function as hubs for ARG capture, recombination, and stabilization, enabling the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) pathogens. We also explored their interactions with ecological pressures such as antibiotics, heavy metals, and biocides, as well as their role in One Health transmission pathways. The significance of this study lies in linking molecular insights with applied strategies, including genomic surveillance, MGE-targeted inhibitors, phage therapy, and CRISPR-based interventions. Understanding MGEs is essential for designing effective interventions to mitigate AMR and protect global health. Full article
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21 pages, 697 KB  
Review
DNA-Based Therapeutic Innovations Targeting Microbial Imbalance and Immune Dysfunction in the Gut Ecosystem
by Hector M. Espiritu and Arman M. Parayao
DNA 2026, 6(2), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/dna6020018 - 2 Apr 2026
Viewed by 895
Abstract
Gut dysbiosis, defined as a disruption in the structure or function of the intestinal microbiota, is increasingly recognized as a key contributor to inflammatory, metabolic, and neuropsychiatric diseases. Conventional interventions such as broad-spectrum antibiotics, generic probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) often show [...] Read more.
Gut dysbiosis, defined as a disruption in the structure or function of the intestinal microbiota, is increasingly recognized as a key contributor to inflammatory, metabolic, and neuropsychiatric diseases. Conventional interventions such as broad-spectrum antibiotics, generic probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) often show limited and inconsistent efficacy because they lack specificity, durability, and robust safety controls. In contrast, recent advances in DNA-based technologies are reshaping the therapeutic landscape by enabling targeted, programmable, and mechanistically informed modulation of the gut ecosystem. This review presents an integrated overview of three major domains driving this shift: CRISPR-based systems that selectively delete, silence, or reprogram microbial genes; synthetic biology-driven live therapeutics engineered to sense disease-associated cues and execute controlled responses; and metagenomics-informed strategies that tailor interventions to patient-specific microbial gene profiles and functional deficits. Additionally, we examine the continued evolution of FMT toward DNA-optimized workflows and defined microbial consortia that offer safer, more standardized alternatives to crude donor material. Across these domains, we discuss delivery platforms (including bacteriophages, conjugative plasmids, extracellular vesicles, and synthetic nanoparticles), and compare their efficiency, specificity, and scalability. We further highlight how DNA-guided interventions interface with host immunity—shaping Treg/Th17 balance, mucosal barrier function, and inflammatory signaling—while also analyzing ecological and evolutionary risks, biocontainment strategies, and regulatory classification gaps that will govern clinical translation. Together, these developments signal a transition from empirical microbiome manipulation to rational ecosystem engineering. DNA-guided therapies hold strong promise for precise and personalized management of gut-related diseases, but their success will depend on rigorous ecological risk assessment, long-term monitoring, and adaptive regulatory frameworks alongside continued technological innovation. Full article
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27 pages, 2438 KB  
Article
Bacterial Strains from Soybean Nodules in the Lower Volga Region Belong to a New Subspecies Bradyrhizobium japonicum subsp. saratovii subsp. nov.
by Aleksandr S. Sidorin, Gennady L. Burygin, Andrey V. Fedorov, Aleksandr D. Katyshev, Yaroslav M. Krasnov and Oksana V. Tkachenko
Microorganisms 2026, 14(3), 684; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14030684 - 18 Mar 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 634
Abstract
The isolation of locally adapted rhizobial strains with high symbiotic activity represents an effective strategy for increasing soybean yield under extreme environmental conditions. In this study, seven novel strains were isolated from nodules of soybeans grown in a greenhouse using field soil from [...] Read more.
The isolation of locally adapted rhizobial strains with high symbiotic activity represents an effective strategy for increasing soybean yield under extreme environmental conditions. In this study, seven novel strains were isolated from nodules of soybeans grown in a greenhouse using field soil from the Lower Volga region. Five genomes were assembled into complete circular chromosomes, whereas two strains yielded near-complete chromosomes containing single repeat-mediated junctions. All strains had putative plasmids that were independently validated as circular by long-read mapping and confirmed by the presence of characteristic replication and conjugation-associated genes. Genome sequences of strains were about 11 Mb, and GC contents were 63.1–63.3%. Comparative genome analyses demonstrated that all strains had average nucleotide identity values of 95.4% with Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 6T and 96.3% with Bradyrhizobium barranii 144S4T, forming a distinct cluster in phylogenetic trees. No significant differences were detected between B. japonicum and B. barranii that would explain the species boundary. Therefore, it is proposed to unite all novel strains into the subspecies Bradyrhizobium japonicum subsp. saratovii subsp. nov., and all other strains of B. japonicum and B. barranii we suggest dividing into four subspecies: Bradyrhizobium japonicum subsp. japonicum subsp. nov., Bradyrhizobium japonicum subsp. barranii comb. nov., Bradyrhizobium japonicum subsp. apii comb. nov., and Bradyrhizobium japonicum subsp. saratovii subsp. nov. The proposed taxonomic framework expands current knowledge of the biodiversity of soybean symbiotic bacteria and contributes to a better understanding of the distribution and the evolution of bacteria Bradyrhizobium spp. in previously unexplored regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria)
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30 pages, 4440 KB  
Article
Computational Identification of Potential Novel Allosteric IHF Inhibitors Using QSAR Modeling to Inhibit Plasmid-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance
by Oscar Saurith-Coronell, Olimpo Sierra-Hernandez, Juan David Rodríguez-Macías, José R. Mora, Noel Perez-Perez, Jackson J. Alcázar, Ricardo Olimpio de Moura, Igor José dos Santos Nascimento, Edgar A. Márquez Brazón and Yovani Marrero-Ponce
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(6), 2526; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27062526 - 10 Mar 2026
Viewed by 891
Abstract
The rapid spread of antibiotic resistance through plasmid-mediated conjugation remains a primary global health concern. Despite its critical role in horizontal gene transfer, no approved drugs currently target this process, leaving a critical therapeutic gap. Integration Host Factor (IHF), a DNA-binding protein essential [...] Read more.
The rapid spread of antibiotic resistance through plasmid-mediated conjugation remains a primary global health concern. Despite its critical role in horizontal gene transfer, no approved drugs currently target this process, leaving a critical therapeutic gap. Integration Host Factor (IHF), a DNA-binding protein essential for plasmid replication and mobilization, emerges as a promising yet underexplored target for anti-conjugation strategies. This work aimed to develop a predictive computational model and identify small molecules that disrupt IHF function, thereby reducing plasmid transfer and limiting resistance gene dissemination. A curated dataset of 65 compounds with reported anti-plasmid activity was analyzed using a 3D-QSAR model based on algebraic descriptors computed with QuBiLS-MIDAS. The model was validated through leave-one-out cross-validation (Q2 = 0.82), Tropsha’s criteria, and Y-scrambling. Representative compounds were selected via pharmacophore clustering and evaluated through molecular docking at both the DNA-binding site and a predicted allosteric pocket of IHF. The most promising complexes underwent 200 ns molecular dynamics simulations to assess stability and interaction patterns. The QSAR model demonstrated strong predictive performance (R2 = 0.90). Docking simulations revealed more favorable binding energies at the allosteric site (up to −12.15 kcal/mol) compared to the DNA-binding site. Molecular dynamics confirmed the stability of these interactions, with allosteric complexes showing lower RMSD fluctuations and consistent binding energy profiles. Dynamic cross-correlation analysis revealed that allosteric ligand binding induces conformational changes in key catalytic residues, including Pro65, Pro61, and Leu66. These alterations may compromise DNA recognition and disrupt the initiation of replication. To our knowledge, this is the first computational study proposing allosteric inhibition of IHF as an anti-conjugation strategy. These findings provide a foundation for experimental validation and the development of novel agents to prevent horizontal gene transfer, offering a promising approach to restoring antibiotic efficacy against multidrug-resistant pathogens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Benchmarking of Modeling and Informatic Methods in Molecular Sciences)
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17 pages, 2418 KB  
Article
Characterization of an Escherichia coli ST156 Isolate Harboring an IncHI2-Type Plasmid Co-Carrying blaNDM-5 and mcr-1.1 Genes from Urban Wastewater Treatment Plants in Fengxian, Shanghai
by Qingyuan Zhang, Xiaohong Xie, Lixin Tao, Jian Wang, Yuan Shi, Huangfei Sheng, Chuanlong Liu, Hongwei Zhao, Meihua Liu and Jun Feng
Antibiotics 2026, 15(3), 275; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics15030275 - 6 Mar 2026
Viewed by 800
Abstract
Background: The emergence of carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae (CRE) co-harboring the mcr-1.1 gene and carbapenemase-encoding genes poses a severe threat to public health. Urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) act as natural reservoirs and hotspots for the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). This study [...] Read more.
Background: The emergence of carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae (CRE) co-harboring the mcr-1.1 gene and carbapenemase-encoding genes poses a severe threat to public health. Urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) act as natural reservoirs and hotspots for the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). This study aimed to elucidate the molecular characteristics of CRE carrying mcr-1.1 in urban WWTPs. Methods: Samples were collected from the influent of urban WWTPs in Fengxian, Shanghai, from April 2024 to March 2025. mcr-1.1-positive Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolates were screened using real-time PCR, and their antimicrobial susceptibility was determined via the broth microdilution method. Plasmid conjugation assays were performed with E. coli C600 as the recipient strain. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was carried out to analyze the molecular characteristics of mcr-1.1-positive E. coli isolates. Results: A total of 312 samples were collected, and 5 (1.6%) mcr-1.1-positive E. coli isolates were identified. All isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR) but susceptible to tigecycline (TIG). WGS of strain EC0176 (sequence type 156 [ST156], enteroaggregative E. coli [EAEC]) detected the presence of blaNDM-5, blaTEM-1, blaCTX-M-55, and mcr-1.1 as well as related virulence genes. Further analysis revealed that pEC0176 was an IncHI2-type plasmid co-harboring mcr-1.1, blaNDM-5, arr-3, aph(4)-Ia, aph(3′)-Ia, aac(3)-IVa, and mph(A). The plasmid pEC0176 harbored similar backbones as p20014-MCR, p2017.03.02CC_1, pSC2017167-mcr-256k, pEC17CM13_MCR and pGDE043-mcr1, including the type IV secretion system (T4SS) and IncHI-type conjugal transfer genes. Conjugation experiments confirmed that pEC0176 could be horizontally transferred into E. coli C600, with an average transfer efficiency of 3.3 × 10−2. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the MCR-1 protein of EC0176 is closely related to that of two human-derived E. coli strains from China (GenBank accession: AVR64822.1 and WP_076611062.1). Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report of E. coli ST156 carrying an IncHI2-type plasmid co-harboring mcr-1.1 and blaNDM-5 from urban WWTPs in Fengxian, Shanghai. Our findings underscore the severe status of bacterial antimicrobial resistance and emphasize the necessity of enhancing antimicrobial resistance surveillance in urban WWTPs. Full article
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14 pages, 797 KB  
Review
A New Challenge of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria: Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacter cloacae Complex in a One Health Perspective
by Huina Wang, Jingyi Han, Yuhui Li, Dong Ding and Xuewen Li
Microorganisms 2026, 14(3), 594; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14030594 - 6 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1216
Abstract
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae Complex (CRECC) has emerged as an important multidrug-resistant pathogen in healthcare settings, although it has historically received less attention than carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and other major carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE). Recent epidemiological reports from several regions indicate increasing detection rates of [...] Read more.
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae Complex (CRECC) has emerged as an important multidrug-resistant pathogen in healthcare settings, although it has historically received less attention than carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and other major carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE). Recent epidemiological reports from several regions indicate increasing detection rates of CRECC in tertiary hospitals, where it is associated with bloodstream infections, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and prolonged hospitalization. The dissemination of carbapenemase genes, particularly blaNDM, blaKPC, and blaOXA-48-like, carried predominantly on conjugative plasmids (e.g., IncFII, IncX3, IncL), represents the primary resistance mechanism, often accompanied by porin loss and efflux pump overexpression. High-risk clones such as ST171 and ST78 contribute to nosocomial persistence and outbreak potential. Beyond clinical settings, CRECC and related resistance determinants have been reported in companion animals, livestock, food products, wastewater systems, and natural aquatic environments. Although most available studies examine these sectors separately, the recurring detection of genetically related resistance genes and plasmid types suggests potential epidemiological links that warrant integrated surveillance. Environmental reservoirs, particularly hospital effluents and wastewater treatment systems, may facilitate the maintenance and dissemination of resistance genes. This review synthesizes current evidence on the epidemiology, resistance mechanisms, and evolutionary dynamics of CRECC in human, animal, and environmental contexts under a One Health framework. A better understanding of its ecological distribution and genetic plasticity is essential to inform coordinated surveillance strategies and mitigate the public health risks associated with the continued spread of carbapenem resistance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Antimicrobial Agents and Resistance)
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24 pages, 15371 KB  
Article
The Complete Genome of Rhizobium favelukesii LPU83T: Insights into Plastic pSym and Its Symbiotic Incompatibility with a Broad Range of Legume Hosts
by Abril Luchetti, Catalina D’Addona, Lucas G. Castellani, María Delfina Cabrera, Daniel Wibberg, Carolina Vacca, Linda Fenske, Jochen Blom, Anika Winkler, Tobias Busche, Christian Rückert-Reed, Jörn Kalinowski, Andreas Schlüter, Alfred Pühler, Karsten Niehaus, Antonio Lagares, María Florencia Del Papa, Mariano Pistorio and Gonzalo Torres Tejerizo
Agronomy 2026, 16(5), 523; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy16050523 - 27 Feb 2026
Viewed by 907
Abstract
Achieving completeness of multipartite bacterial genomes has been a difficult task, especially in rhizobia. In this study, we performed a deep bioinformatic analysis of the newly re-sequenced genome of Rhizobium favelukesii LPU83T. This strain was isolated from acid soils in Argentina [...] Read more.
Achieving completeness of multipartite bacterial genomes has been a difficult task, especially in rhizobia. In this study, we performed a deep bioinformatic analysis of the newly re-sequenced genome of Rhizobium favelukesii LPU83T. This strain was isolated from acid soils in Argentina and is capable of nodulating several leguminous plants, although it is unable to fix nitrogen efficiently in any of them. Oxford Nanopore sequencing allowed us to completely assemble the symbiotic plasmid of the strain, pRfaLPU83b, and we discovered that it harbors three intact prophages and a high density of insertion sequences (ISs). These characteristics show why it is often so difficult to complete the symbiotic plasmids of rhizobial strains and the importance of having long-read sequencing methods. Upon detailed analysis of this replicon, we identified a complete conjugation system with gene structure consistent with quorum sensing-associated systems that may have contributed to the genetic mosaic structure of the strain. Furthermore, we identified in the symbiotic plasmid of R. favelukesii LPU83T a large proportion of the symbiotic genes previously identified as essential for Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF) in symbiosis with alfalfa, with a high percentage of identity with respect to those of Sinorhizobium meliloti 2011. Among the determinants related to BNF, we found genes encoding the HrrP and SapA peptidases in the LPU83 genome, previously described and related to the degradation of nodule-specific cysteine-rich peptides. These peptides are essential for bacteroid differentiation and, therefore, efficient BNF. Our results show that despite having these genes, they are not directly responsible for the inefficient BNF phenotype of LPU83. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Plant–Microbe Interaction)
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15 pages, 8230 KB  
Article
Bovine-Derived Acinetobacter indicus Co-Harboring Chromosomal tet(X3) and Plasmid-Located tet(X4) Isolated from Henan, China
by Qing Wang, Guonian Dai, Yanhua Qiu, Yaxin Zhou, Jing Xu, Weiwei Wang and Jiyu Zhang
Microorganisms 2026, 14(3), 541; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14030541 - 26 Feb 2026
Viewed by 469
Abstract
The coexistence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), particularly those conferring resistance to last-resort antibiotics, is increasingly present in lesser-studied bacterial species. Tigecycline is currently one of the last important barriers in the treatment of carbapenem-resistant bacterial infections, whose resistance gene, tet(X), is [...] Read more.
The coexistence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), particularly those conferring resistance to last-resort antibiotics, is increasingly present in lesser-studied bacterial species. Tigecycline is currently one of the last important barriers in the treatment of carbapenem-resistant bacterial infections, whose resistance gene, tet(X), is prevalent across multiple bacterial genera, but the coexistence of tet(X3) and tet(X4) in Acinetobacter sp. is rarely observed. Here, we report a strain co-harboring the chromosomal tet(X3) and plasmid-borne tet(X4) isolated from a commercial beef cattle farm in Henan province, China. The strain exhibited resistance to ampicillin, gentamicin, chloramphenicol, sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, doxycycline, tigecycline, and omadacycline. Based on whole-genome sequencing (WGS), the strain was identified as A. indicus using Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH). Chromosomal tet(X3) was identified in the genetic context, ISVsa3-XerD-tet(X3)-res-ISVsa3. The plasmid-located tet(X4) with the genetic context, ISVsa3-abh-tet(X4)-ISVsa3, and 14 additional resistance genes were located in multiple pdif modules. Two different typing methods, the Rep-based strategy (designed for A. baumanii) and MOB-typer, identified the tet(X4)-positive plasmid as GR31 and rep_cluster_1656, respectively. Conjugation assay failed to observe the transfer of the tet(X4)-positive plasmid into recipients, E. coli J53 and Salmonella LGJ2. The co-occurrence of tet(X3) and tet(X4) in Acinetobacter may suggest a risk of rapid dissemination of tigecycline resistance and the hidden presence of numerous undetected bacteria co-carrying high-risk ARGs in the agroecological system, both of which should cause particular concern. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Antimicrobial Agents and Resistance)
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