Impact of antibiotic withdrawal and starvation conditions on plasmid elimination and consequent loss of resistance

Authors

  • Hiba Akram Department of Pathology, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
  • Shaniyaal Shahid Department of Pathology, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
  • Hina Bukhari Department of Pathology, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
  • Qurat-Ul-Ain Department of Pathology, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
  • Khadeja Iqbal Department of Pathology, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
  • Muhammad Asif Department of Pathology, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.1209

Abstract

Objective

This study was designed to study resistance loss due to plasmid elimination under experimental conditions including withdrawal of antibiotics and administration of starvation conditions.

Methodology

This experimental study was conducted at Department of Pathology, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, from September 2019 to December 2019. A single sensitive clinical isolate of Escherichia coli, showing resistance towards ampicillin was collected and separately sub-cultured in three different culture broths: tryptic soya broth, minimal broth and control broth for a period of one month under standard laboratory conditions. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of the strains were calculated after every 7 days to check antibiotic susceptibility.

Results

MIC value of the initial strain of E.coli measured on Day 1 was 6mg/mL and it became sensitive after continual sub-culturing in the absence of antibiotics in 21 days. Due to starvation conditions the bacterial strain exhibited sensitivity to an even lower antibiotic conc. of 1.5mg/mL on the 28th day. Bacterial growth inhibition zones determined by disc diffusion method using an ampicillin disc of 10µg/mL showed no zone of inhibition.

Conclusion

In the absence of triggering factors such as antibiotics allow the bacteria to negatively select against the defensive traits exhibiting an onset of gradual loss of resistance over a period of time. Also the unavailability of sufficient nutrients for standard bacterial growth and survival further amplifies the rate of plasmid elimination and the consequent loss of resistance.

Key-words: Antibiotic resistance, Plasmid elimination, Antibiotic withdrawal, Resistance loss, Starvation conditions.

Published

2022-01-25

How to Cite

Hiba Akram, Shaniyaal Shahid, Hina Bukhari, Qurat-Ul-Ain, Khadeja Iqbal, & Muhammad Asif. (2022). Impact of antibiotic withdrawal and starvation conditions on plasmid elimination and consequent loss of resistance. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 72(6), 1053–1056. https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.1209

Issue

Section

Research Article