Importance of plasmids in the development of antibiotic resistance in Pasteurella multocida

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract
An emerging global threat is the development of resistance to various antibiotic groups among pathogenic bacteria, including Pasteurella multocida. The excessive use of antibiotics and presence of antibiotic resistance carriers play a significant role in the development of multiple resistances to anti-microbial agents. Given the role and importance of plasmids in the development of antibiotic resistance, it is important to prevent the transfer, replication, and multiplication of plasmids by eliminating plasmids. In this study, the role of plasmids in the development and transmission of antibiotic resistance in P. multocida was investigated and evaluated. This study was performed on P. multocida isolates collected from apparently healthy and ailing animals (February to September 2014). Identification of P. multocida isolates was carried out using standard biochemical tests and kmt1 gene amplification. After initial tests and plasmid DNA extraction, five plasmid-containing isolates were selected for further work. To compare antibiotic resistance after plasmid removal, the disk diffusion method was used. Based on the results, it was determined that all plasmid-containing isolates that showed a high level of antibiotic resistance (especially with large plasmids) became sensitive to anti-microbial agents after plasmid removal. Therefore, according to the findings, the role and importance of plasmids in the development of antibiotic resistance in P. multocida was determined. It was also found in this study that the existence and persistence of plasmids by P. multocida bacteria was of great importance in the role of plasmids in the development of antibiotic resistance.

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Volume 17, Issue 9
September 2026
Pages 647-652

  • Receive Date 01 May 2025
  • Revise Date 22 July 2025
  • Accept Date 27 August 2025