TRANSMISSION OF MULTIPLE DRUG-RESISTANCE FROM SHIGELLA FLEXNERI TO VIBRIO COMMA THROUGH CONJUGATION

Abstract

1. Transmission of the R-factor from Shigella flexneri 2b 103 R₄ to newly isolated strains of Vibrio comma and Vibrio El Tor was confirmed.
2. The old stock strains of Vibrio comma and Vibrio El Tor did not serve as the recipients of the R-factor.
3. CM-and TC-resistances of Vibrio comma and Vibrio El Tor receiving the R-factor were generally lower than those of the donor.
4. The retransmission was accomplished from some strains of Vibrio comma and Vibrio El Tor, which received the R-factor from Shigella, to Salmonella typhi T-10 and Shigella flexneri 3a MZ. Furthermore, the tertiary transmission from these recipients to Escherichia colt CSH was possible. Salmonella typhi and Shigella flexneri, recipients in the retransmission, and Escherichia coli, recipient in the tertiary transmission, manifested drug resistance nearly as high as that of the original donor, Shigella flexneri 2b, strain 103 R₄.