This protocol describes the detection of class 1 integrons and their associated gene cassettes in foodstuffs.
Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest threats to health in the 21st century. Acquisition of resistance genes via lateral gene transfer is a major factor in the spread of diverse resistance mechanisms. Amongst the DNA elements facilitating lateral transfer, the class 1 integrons have largely been responsible for spreading antibiotic resistance determinants amongst Gram negative pathogens. In total, these integrons have acquired and disseminated over 130 different antibiotic resistance genes. With continued antibiotic use, class 1 integrons have become ubiquitous in commensals and pathogens of humans and their domesticated animals. As a consequence, they can now be found in all human waste streams, where they continue to acquire new genes, and have the potential to cycle back into humans via the food chain. This protocol details a streamlined approach for detecting class 1 integrons and their associated resistance gene cassettes in foodstuffs, using culturing and PCR. Using this protocol, researchers should be able to: collect and prepare samples to make enriched cultures and screen for class 1 integrons; isolate single bacterial colonies to identify integron-positive isolates; identify bacterial species that contain class 1 integrons; and characterize these integrons and their associated gene cassettes.
The discovery of antibiotics was one of the greatest scientific achievements of the 20th century. However, the use and abuse of antibiotics has led to the rapid evolution of antibiotic resistant bacteria, and these now pose a serious threat to public health in the 21st century. The rise of bacterial strains resistant to most treatment options raises the possibility we are entering an era where antimicrobial drugs are no longer effective1,2.
The genetic machinery that confers antibiotic resistance is an ancient system, predating humans and antibiotic selection pressures by millions of years3. Mobile genetic elements, such as plasmids, transposons, genomic islands, integrative conjugative elements and integrons can disseminate antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) both within and between bacterial species4. Of these, integrons have played a central role in the spread of ARG, despite the fact that they rely upon plasmids and transposons for mobilization and insertion into bacterial genomes5. Integrons capture gene cassettes using an integron-integrase, and then express cassettes using an integron encoded promoter6,7 (Figure 1). Integron gene cassettes are small mobile elements consisting of single open reading frames (ORF) whose products can confer resistance to antibiotics or disinfectants8. Class 1 integrons are the integrons most commonly recovered from clinical isolates5, where they have collectively acquired over 130 different antibiotic resistance gene cassettes9.
The spread of class 1 integrons into human-associated commensal and pathogenic bacteria generates human waste streams that contain large numbers of these genetic elements10. An estimated 1019 bacteria that contain class 1 integrons are released via sewage sludge each year in the United Kingdom11. It is therefore not surprising that class 1 integrons conferring antibiotic resistances are now being detected in microbiota of wild birds, fish, and other native wildlife12-14. Releasing integrons back into the environment poses a significant public health threat, since acquisition of new gene cassettes and complex rearrangements with other mobile elements continues to occur, particularly in sewage treatment plants and other water bodies15-18. The natural environment then becomes a fertile recruiting ground for new resistance determinants and opportunistic pathogens19,20. Novel integron-containing bacteria and new ARGs can circle back into the human community through contaminated water and food21,22. Surveillance of environmental ARGs is a key strategy for understanding and managing antibiotic resistance in the future23. In particular, attention should be paid to foodstuffs that are eaten raw or lightly cooked, since these present the greatest threat for transmission of new mobile elements and pathogens.
In this protocol, a streamlined approach for detecting, identifying and characterizing class 1 integrons and their associated gene cassettes in foodstuffs are outlined (Figure 2). Using a combination of culturing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), integrons can be rapidly detected in complex bacterial communities and individual isolates. Methods for identifying the species of bacteria and the conformation and identity of the integron-associated gene cassettes are given. The method is suitable for a broad range of plant and animal foods, and examples of typical workflows are given for each of these food types.
Foodstuffs that are eaten raw or lightly cooked are of most concern for human health. Examples include salad vegetables, fruit, shellfish and crustaceans.
1. Sample Collection
2. Enriched Culture Preparation
3. Screening Cultures for Integrons
NOTE: Standard PCR protocols are used throughout this methodology, using buffers supplied with the enzyme, and a final MgCl2 concentration of 2.5 mM. If required, Lorenz (2011)24 has outlined PCR optimization and troubleshooting methods in an earlier issue of this journal.
4. Screening of Single Colonies for Class 1 Integrons
5. Genomic DNA Extraction of Integron-positive Single Colonies Using Bead Beating25
6. Diagnostic PCRs and DNA Sequencing
NOTE: The genomic DNA prepared in section 5 will be used for all diagnostic PCRs, and to confirm the positive test for class 1 integrons.
7. Mapping and Characterization of Integrons and Cassette Arrays
NOTE: Class 1 integrons emanating from human-dominated ecosystems are likely to be the most common integrons in all your samples. These integrons all have a recent single origin, and therefore have a highly conserved DNA sequence5.
Screening of mixed cultures and bacterial isolates for intI1
Primer set HS463a/HS464 PCR can be used to detect the presence of the class 1 integron-integrase gene, intI1 (Figure 1). This primer set works well for detecting intI1 in mixed cultures, and is also used to screen bacterial colonies harvested from spread plates (Figure 2). Positive isolates should generate a single strong band at 471 bp using this primer set (Figure 3A). The majority of positive isolates will carry intI1 that has originated from humans or their agricultural and domestic animals. These isolates will also be positive in a PCR using primers F165/R476, which should generate a 311 bp amplicon (Figure 1). Environmental sources of intI1 will generally not be positive in this second assay.
Characterization of integron cassette arrays
Genomic DNA from pure isolates is used for characterization of integron cassette arrays. The cassette arrays of Tn402-associated class 1 integrons can be amplified using primers HS458/HS459. These primers respectively target the integron recombination site, and the 3’ end of the cassette array, which normally terminates in the qacEΔ sul1 gene fusion (Figure 1). The size of PCR products generated in this assay varies according to the number and identity of cassettes in the array (Figure 3B). Environmental class 1 integrons are often embedded in bacterial chromosomes, and their cassette arrays can be amplified by primers that target the proximal and most distal recombination sites (Figure 1). Primers MRG284/285 are designed to amplify this region, and again, because the cassette content varies, the size of the amplicons also varies (Figure 3C). Sequencing of HS458/459 PCR products will normally recover known antibiotic resistance determinants, while sequencing MRG284/285 PCR products will generally recover gene cassettes that encode polypeptides of unknown function.
Identifying Bacterial species
Bacteria are identified using 16S rDNA sequencing and database comparisons. Genomic DNA is used as a template for amplification of the 16S small subunit rRNA gene. Using the primers suggested, this should generate an amplicon of about 1450 bp. Because large numbers of colonies might be screened at any one time, a hierarchical screening method is employed. Amplified 16S PCR products are digested with the restriction enzyme Hinf1, and these digests are separated on agarose gels. Individual species will generate distinctive patterns after digest, such that isolates of the same species can be easily identified (Figure 3D). Sequencing the 16S rRNA gene PCR products from a maximum of three isolates representing any one restriction pattern allows efficient identification of all the likely species in a collection of integron positive isolates.
Figure 1. Structure of class 1 integrons. Schematic diagrams of clinical and environmental class 1 integrons, showing PCR primer binding sites referred to in the manuscript. Class 1 integrons consist of an integron-integrase gene (intI1) that catalyzes the capture and expression of gene cassettes to form a cassette array. Before the advent of antibiotic use, the majority of class 1 integrons were chromosomal, and carried gene cassettes whose functions are yet to be determined. Strong selection via antibiotic use has vastly increased the abundance of one sequence variant of class 1 integron associated with the Tn402 transposon. These ‘clinical’ integrons have acquired arrays of cassettes that encode antibiotic resistance. It is these integrons that are currently polluting natural environments and the food production chain. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 2. Schematic flowchart for detecting class 1 integrons in foodstuffs. Samples of foodstuffs are used to inoculate media and generate a mixed bacterial culture. These mixed cultures are screened for the presence of class 1 integrons, and positive cultures used to prepare spread plates. Individual colonies from the spread plates are rescreened for integrons. Positive cultures are purified, DNA extracted and characterized for cassette content by DNA sequencing. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene is used for species identification. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 3. Representative electrophoretic analyses from the screening process. (A) Screening single colonies using intI1 primers HS463a/464. Positive colonies generate a strong single band at 471 bp. (B) Amplification of cassette arrays from Tn402 integrons using primers HS458/459. This PCR generates variable product sizes dependent on the identity and size of the component cassettes in the array. Identification of these cassettes requires DNA sequencing. (C) Amplification of cassette arrays from environmental class 1 integrons using primers MRG284/285. This PCR also generates variable product sizes dependent on the identity and size of the component cassettes in the array, however cassettes in environmental arrays are unlikely to encode antibiotic resistance. (D) Screening of 16S PCR products by digestion with Hinf1. Isolates with identical restriction patterns are likely to be the same species. If large numbers of a single restriction type are recovered, only a few of these need be sequenced. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
PCR | Gene target | Primer name | Direction | Sequence 5’ – 3’ | Cycling conditions | Reference |
HS463a/HS464 | Class 1 Integron | HS464 | Forward | ACATGCGTGTAAATCATCGTCG | 94 °C 3 min; 35 cycles 94 °C 30 sec, 60 °C 30 sec, 72 °C 1 min 30 sec; 72 °C 5 min | Stokes et al., 200628 |
HS463a | Reverse | CTGGATTTCGATCACGGCACG | ||||
f27/r1492 | 16S rRNA | f27 | Forward | AGAGTTTGATCMTGGCTCAG | 94 °C 3 min; 35 cycles 94 °C 30 sec, 60 °C 30 sec, 72 °C 1 min 30 sec; 72 °C 5 min | Lane, 199129 |
r1492 | Reverse | TACGGYTACCTTGTTACGACTT | ||||
intI1F165/IntI1R476 | Clinical class 1 integron | intI1F165 | Forward | CGAACGAGTGGCGGAGGGTG | 94 °C 3 min; 35 cycles 94 °C 30 sec, 55 °C 30 sec, 72 °C 1 min 30 sec; 72 °C 5 min | Gillings, 201410 |
intI1R476 | Reverse | TACCCGAGAGCTTGGCACCCA | ||||
HS549/HS550 | 3’CS Clinical Integron | HS549 | Forward | ACTAAGCTTGCCCCTTCCGC | 94 °C 3 min; 35 cycles 94 °C 30 sec, 65 °C 30 sec, 72 °C 1 min 30 sec; 72 °C 5 min | Stokes et al., 200628 |
HS550 | Reverse | CTAGGCATGATCTAACCCTCGG | ||||
HS458/HS459 | Clinical cassette array | HS458 | Forward | GCAAAAAGGCAGCAATTATGAGCC | 94 °C 3 min; 35 cycles 94 °C 30 sec, 55 °C 30 sec, 72 °C 1 min 30 sec; 72 °C 5 min | Holmes et al., 200330 |
HS459 | Reverse | GTTTGATGTTATGGAGCAGCAACG | ||||
MRG284/MRG285 | Environmental cassette | MRG284 | Forward | GTTACGCCGTGGGTCGATG | 94 °C 3 min; 35 cycles 94 °C 30 sec, 55 °C 30 sec, 72 °C 1 min 30 sec; 72 °C 5 min | Gillings et al., 200921 |
MRG285 | Reverse | CCAGAGCAGCCGTAGAGC |
Table 1. Primer sequences and PCR conditions used for identifying Class 1 integrons and their associated gene cassettes.
PCR reagents | Volume (µl) | Restriction digest reagents | Volume (µl) |
Sterile water | 21.5 | Sterile water | 23 |
10x GoTaq White | 25 | Buffer B | 5 |
RNAseA [1 mg/ml] | 0.5 | Bovine Serum Albumin [1 mg/ml] | 1 |
Forward Primer [50 µM] | 0.5 | HinfI [10 units/µl] | 1 |
Reverse Primer [50 µM] | 0.5 | ||
Mastermix volume | 48 | Mastermix volume | 30 |
DNA template | 2 | PCR Template | 20 |
Final PCR volume | 50 | Final restriction digest volume | 50 |
Table 2. PCR and restriction digest mastermix constituents.
The identification of integrons and their associated gene cassettes is potentially a key step in predicting the emergence of new opportunistic pathogens, tracking pathways for pathogens into the human food chain, and identifying new resistance and virulence determinants8,21,26. The aim of this paper was to describe a streamlined approach for screening samples for class 1 integrons, characterizing their cassette arrays and identifying the bacterial species in which they reside. Critical steps in the protocol involve good microbiological practice, and preventing PCR contamination that would generate false positives.
The protocol described here can be easily modified to detect other clinically relevant integrons, including the class 2 and class 3 integrons that are also found in human pathogens. It can also be modified to detect integrons in microbial communities from water, biofilms, soil or sediment. There are some limitations to this technique, which arise from a reliance on culturing of bacterial cells. Many environmental bacteria are not easily culturable, and the protocol described here would not detect these species. The range of species that are recovered could be expanded by using different bacterial media formulations and longer incubation times. Nevertheless, the majority of species of interest for human health are likely to grow under the conditions described here.
This protocol has some advantages over techniques that use plating on selective media. No assumptions need be made about the identity of resistance determinants carried by individual isolates, and new resistance genes can be recovered and characterized. In more general terms, the workflow can also be adapted to detect any element of the resistome27 or mobilome that might be of interest4. Such assays are important for understanding the dynamics of the various DNA elements involved in antibiotic resistance, and critical for conserving the dwindling armory of antimicrobial compounds.
The authors have nothing to disclose.
Thanks to Michaela Hall, Larissa Bispo and Gustavo Tavares for Technical Assistance.
GoTaq Colourless Mastermix | Promega | M7132 | Used in all PCRs |
RNAse (Ribonuclease A from bovine pancreas) | Sigma | R6513-10MG | Used in all PCRs |
HinFI restriction enzyme | Promega | R6201 | Used to digest 16S rDNA PCR poducts. Enzyme comes with optimal buffer and BSA |
100 bp ladder | GE Healthcare | 27400701 | Used as a size standard on all agarose gels |
GelRed DNA stain | Biotium | 41003 | CAUTION: Personal protection must be worn when handling this material |
Guanidinium Thiocyanate | Life Technologies | AM9422 | CAUTION: Personal protection must be worn when handling this material |
CLS-TC Solution | MP Biomedicals | 6540409 | Resuspension solution used at the begining of the genomic DNA extraction |
Lysing Matrix E FastPrep tubes | MP Biomedicals | 116914500 | Tube required for mechanical disruption of bacterial cell walls. This code is used for packs of 500 tubes, smaller quantities are available. |
binding matrix | MP Biomedicals | 116540408 | Diluted 1:5 with 6M guanidinium thiocyanate and used in the genomic DNA extraction method. |
Fast Prep machine | MP Biomedicals | Number of options available | MP Biomedicals has a number of FastPrep machines available to purchase. Visit http://www.mpbio.com for more information |