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HOME > J. Microbiol > Volume 46(6); 2008 > Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Prevalence of Tetracycline Resistance Genes in Greek Seawater Habitats
Theodora L. Nikolakopoulou , Eleni P. Giannoutsou , Adamandia A. Karabatsou , Amalia D. Karagouni
Journal of Microbiology 2008;46(6):633-640.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-008-0080-8
Published online: December 24, 2008
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Faculty of Biology, Department of Botany, Microbiology Group, Athens 15781, Greece
Corresponding author:  Amalia D. Karagouni , Tel: 30-210-727-4526, 
Received: 2 April 2008   • Accepted: 25 September 2008
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Abstract

The presence of selected tetracycline resistance (TcR) genes was studied in different Greek seawater habitats, originated from wastewater treatment facilities, fishfarm, and coastal environments. The methods employed included assessment of the presence of twelve gene clusters by PCR, followed by hybridization with specific probes, in habitat extracted DNA, TcR bacteria, and exogenous isolated plasmids conferring TcR. The direct DNA-based analysis showed that tet(Α) and tet(K) genes were detected in all habitats, whilst tet(C) and tet(E) were present in fishfarm and wastewater effluent samples and tet(M) was detected in fishfarm and coastal samples. Resistance genes tet(A), tet(C), tet(K), and tet(M) were detected in 60 of the 89 isolates screened. These isolates were identified by fatty acid methyl ester analysis (FAME) as Stenotrophomonas, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Staphylococcus strains. The presence of the TcR genes in 15% of the bacterial isolates coincided with the presence of IncP plasmids. A habitat-specific dissemination of IncP alpha plasmids in wastewater effluent isolates and of IncP beta plasmids in fishfarm isolates was observed. Exogenous isolation demonstrated the presence of plasmids harbouring TcR genes in all the habitats tested. Plasmids were shown to carry tet(A), tet(C), tet(E), and tet(K) genes. It is concluded that TcR genes are widespread in the seawater habitats studied and often occur on broad host range plasmids that seem to be well disseminated in the bacterial communities.

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    Prevalence of Tetracycline Resistance Genes in Greek Seawater Habitats
    J. Microbiol. 2008;46(6):633-640.   Published online December 24, 2008
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-008-0080-8
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