Identification of environmental plasmid-bearing Vibrio species isolated
from polluted and pristine marine reserves of Hong Kong, and resistance
to antibiotics and mercury |
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Authors: | Ruifu Zhang Yanling Wang Ji-Dong Gu |
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Institution: | (1) Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Toxicology, Department of Ecology & Biodiversity, The University of Hong Kong, Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, P.R. China;(2) The Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Shek O, Cape d’Aguilar, Hong Kong SAR, P.R. China |
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Abstract: | Fifty environmental isolates of Vibrio species were isolated from water samples of Mai Po Nature Reserve and the Cape d’Aguilar Marine Reserve in Hong Kong and screened for the presence of plasmid. Mai Po is a wastewater-impacted area while the Cape d’Aguilar Marine Reserve is pristine natural marine water. Plasmid was found in Vibrio isolates from both sites at similar frequencies and each site showed distinctive plasmid profiles. These plasmid-bearing Vibrio isolates were identified as different species of the Vibrio genus by both biochemical test and subsequently full-length 16S rRNA sequences. Antibiotic resistance test showed that all these plasmid-bearing Vibrio isolates showed multiple resistance to 21 antibiotics tested. In addition, selective isolates also showed tolerance to 10 M Hg2+ in culture medium and they generally harbored large plasmid(s) (>‰30 kb). Our results show that the high frequency of plasmid in Vibrio species of both polluted and pristine environments may be ecologically important to the survival of these bacteria in the environment. The specific functioning of the cryptic plasmids remains the focus of current investigations. |
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Keywords: | Antibiotic resistance Marine environment Mercury resistance Plasmid Pollution Vibrio spp |
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