Campylobacter as Model System to Understand Emergence and Spread of Antimicrobial Resistance

<p>The long-term goal is to further understand emergence, spread and persistence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in agricultural ecosystems. To contribute to this long-term goal, in current project we will employ Campylobacter as model to achieve the following specific objective. 1) Identify mutations accruing upon progressive exposure of Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli to increasing amounts of erythromycin or gentamicin in vitro.; 2) identify erythromycin or gentamicin resistance mutations and additional persistence mutations accruing in chicks in vivo; 3) assess AMR spread via lateral gene transfer of mobile genetic elements-associated resistance determinants in vivo and in water microcosms; and 4) assessment of fitness costs to the bacteria that may impact AMR spread.</p>