Xinxin Shan

Dr. Xinxin Shan


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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6 October 2026 in Preprints.org
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XSXinxin Shan
Xinxin Shan
经薛经卫 薛
经卫 薛
BSBangwei Shi
Bangwei Shi
伟云伟航 云
伟航 云
CCChen Yang Cao
Chen Yang Cao
LLLin Li
Lin Li
The dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) via conjugative plasmids is a major driver of the antimicrobial resistance crisis. The optrA gene, which confers cross-resistance to linezolid and florfenicol, is frequently detected in Enterococcus isolates and disseminated via plasmids. This study investigated the inhibitory effect of carvacrol on horizontal transfer of an optrA-carrying plasmid in porcine Enterococcus faecalis. In vitro conjugation assays showed that subinhibitory carvacrol (1/32 MIC, 16 µg/mL) significantly reduced conjugation efficiency in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In vivo (mouse model) treatment with 32 μg/mL carvacrol decreased transconjugant recovery by 62.8%. Mechanistically, carvacrol disrupted membrane integrity, depleted intracellular ATP, sup-pressed ROS production, reduced biofilm formation, and downregulated conjugation-associated genes (type VI secretion protein, conjugal transfer protein, prgB, asa1) as shown by transcriptomics and RT-qPCR. Collectively, carvacrol inhibits optrA plasmid transfer via multi-target mechanisms involving membrane damage, energy metabolism interference, and suppression of conjugation gene expression. This study highlights carvacrol as a natural agent to control the transfer of ARGs.