Aug 2026
Distinct plasmid- and host-encoded mechanisms drive small plasmid copy number-mediated heteroresistance in Escherichia coli
This study investigates the contribution of small plasmids to heteroresistance using a clinical bloodstream Escherichia coli isolate carrying a 12 kb ColE1-type plasmid, and shows that this plasmid drives transient β-lactam heteroresistance through massive increases in plasmid copy number.
Angelika Ntokaki, E. Joffré, Bart Melgers et al.
· bioRxiv · 0 citations