Kardos, GáborTimmer, BálintMatarik, Ghadir2025-06-052025-06-052025-02-28https://hdl.handle.net/2437/390975Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), particularly due to plasmid-borne ESBL genes, poses a global health threat. Indwelling medical devices promote bacterial colonization and biofilm formation, facilitating horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of resistance genes. This study examined plasmid conjugation on Tiemann catheters, Foley balloon catheters, and endotracheal tubes using a CTX-M-55-producing E. coli donor and rifampicin-resistant J53 recipient. Colonization and conjugation were assessed via quantitative plating and ImageJ analysis, and transconjugants were confirmed by whole-genome sequencing. Conjugation frequencies varied by device, with significantly higher transfer observed on Tiemann catheters compared to ETTs (p = 0.0076). These findings suggest that indwelling devices not only harbor MDR bacteria but actively promote resistance gene dissemination, underscoring their role as AMR reservoirs in clinical settings.37enAntimicrobial resistanceESBL genesHorizontal gene transferPlasmidsMedicineHozzáférhető a 2022 decemberi felsőoktatási törvénymódosítás értelmében.