The ace-art database – antibiotic susceptibility of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria in relation to their biological, geographical and chronological origin

Summary

Within the EU funded project ACE-ART antibiotic susceptibility data of Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Bifidobacterium and S. thermophilus strains isolated from different habitats were analysed, taking into consideration different time periods and from geographically distant regions. Besides the phenotypic data also the genetic basis of antibiotic resistance phenomena in selected strains and the possible horizontal transfer were examined. Due to the high number of strains, the multiple data sets and the necessity to share information with the project partners, a data sharing tool was implemented to accomplish further analysis (e.g. molecular biological analysis, gene transfer experiments) during the project. In addition, the prevalence of resistant strains in certain habitats was analysed. This paper reports data base related deliverables and complements the publications with species specific antibiotic susceptibility data and therefore contributes to the critical evaluation of the role of antibiotics in the feed and food chain and its impact on the level of antibiotic resistance in related bacteria.