Conjugative transfer facilitates stable maintenance of IncP-1 plasmid pKJK5 in Escherichia coli cells colonizing the gastrointestinal tract of the germfree rat

Abstract

Quantitative determination of IncP-1 plasmid loss from Escherichia coli cells colonizing the gastrointestinal tracts of germfree rats was achieved by flow cytometry. Results show that the plasmid's ability to conjugate counteracts plasmid loss and is thus an important mechanism for the stable maintenance of IncP-1 plasmids within the gastrointestinal environment.