zinc-antimicrobial-resistance-plasmid transfer

Dietary Zinc as an Inhibitor of Antimicrobial Resistance Gene Transmission

Research Findings from Iowa State University

The Role of Dietary Zinc in Inhibiting AMR Plasmids

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes can spread among microbes via plasmids, circular genetic elements, during lateral gene transfer in the gut, Iova researchers, in their report in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, notes that dietary zinc supplementation may inhibit the transmission of certain AMR plasmids.

Insights from Dr. Melha Mellata

"This is the first instance where we have identified zinc as an inhibitor of plasmid transfer, and at lower concentrations, it excerts minimal impact on bacteria," stated Dr. Melha Mellata, microbiologist and senior author of the study at Iowa State University.

Importance of Preventing Plasmid Transfer

"This is important," she remarked, "because killing gut bacteria could lead to microbiome imbalances, with possible negative health consequences, However, by preventing plasmid transfer, we can minimize the spread of antimicrobial resistance."

The Growing Threat of AMR Infections

Statistics on AMR Infections

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) infections are an escalating issue, with millions diagnosed annually and 35,000 fatalities each year, according to the CDC.

Impact of AMR Gene Exchange

Dr. Mellata noted that when bacteria exchange AMR genes, they often confer resistance to multiple drugs, meaning a patient may already have a resistant infection before starting antibiotic treatment. Halting plasmid transfer could help curb the spread of AMR genes.

Exploring Gut Health and AMR

Previous Studies on Probiotics and Vaccines

Researchers in Dr. Mellata's lab have been exploring the connection between gut microbiome health and overall well-being. In a recent study, they discovered that administering probiotics alongside a live Salmonella vaccine to chickens resulted in fewer plasmids among Enterobacteriaceae in the gut.

Investigating Oral Treatments for Plasmid Transfer Inhibition

This findings, Dr. Mellata noted, led them to consider testing other oral treatments to inhibit plasmid transfer.

Methodology of the Study

Logan Ott's Leadership Research

Logan Ott, a researcher in Dr. Mellata's lab, spearheaded the study. He and a team of undergraduates gathered commonly available supplements to evaluate their potential to inhibit plasmid transfer.

Experimental Design

The products were dissolved in a test solution, and hundreds of reactions were conducted, involving the conjugation of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli harboring a multi-drug-resistant plasmid with a plasmid-free human E. coli isolate.

Key Observations and Results

Impact of Zinc on Plasmid Transmission

The team observed a significant reduction in plasmid transmission in bacterial strains treated with zinc supplements, compared to those without. Moreover, increased doses of zinc were associated with further decreases in plasmid transmission.

Unexpected Mechanisms Identified

Ott described the observations as both promising and somewhat perplexing. Prior studies had demonstrated that heavy metals can stimulate conjugation, leading to plasmid transfer. The researchers then utilized qPCR to explore zinc's effect on the process at the genetic scale.

Ott remarked, "We uncovered some intriguing mechanisms through which zinc may be facilitating this inhibition, even though prior literature suggested we should anticipate increased activity."

Implications and Future Research

Mechanisms of Zinc Inhibition

The analysis indicated that zinc triggered a significant over-expression of replication genes, likely overwhelming and disrupting the process. Furthermore, although zinc seemed to enhance the genes linked to conjugation, it inhibited certain proteins required for forming the bacterial structures essential for conjugation, thereby hindering the overall transmission.

Next Steps in Research

Mellata outlined the subsequent steps, which involve testing plasmid transfer with additional AMR genes and conducting experiments with animal models to determine whether the lab findings are replicated in vivo. Ott emphasized that scientists have a limited understanding of how bacteria interact and exchange genes within the gut, and future research could shed light on these mechanisms.

Conclusion

The Promise of Zinc in Combating AMR

Mellata feels encouraged by the prospect that zinc, a low-cost and easily accessible supplement, might play a significant role in combating an emerging threat. "Often, the solution can be found in the familiar items we already have," she noted. "All we need to do is make the effort to test them."

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