The E. coli clinical isolate contains one plasmid of high molecular weight, which can be split in several other plasmid of lower molecular weights.Likewise, the qepA gene that confers fluoroquinolone resistance has been described in E. coli.. Molecular characterization of pSZ300 plasmid from Escherichia coli and epidemiology of PMQR determinants.

Plasmids are key vectors for horizontal gene transfer among bacteria, and they often carry antibiotic resistance genes. We described previously the plasmid pSZ300 (IncF and IncN), which suggested a fusion of two or more replicons. This project describes the complete nucleotide sequence and characterization of the splitting of fragment of DNA, that enables the different replicons. This project characterize the fluoroquinolone resistance mediated by PMQR determinant, and chromosomal mutations.