Class 1 integrons and virulence genes in Salmonella enterica isolates from pork and humans

In this study, 183 Salmonella enterica isolates were characterised for integrons and virulence genes. Among the isolates, 46% were positive for intI1, but no isolates carried intI2 or intI3. Eighteen class 1 integrons (21%) contained resistance gene cassettes (i.e. dfrA1-orfC, dfrA12-aadA2, bla(PSE-1) and aadA2) and five class 1 integrons with the dfrA12-aadA2 array were conjugally transferable. Two Salmonella pork isolates of serotypes Albany and Kedougou possessed Salmonella genomic island 1 variants SGI1-G and SGI1-F, respectively. Four class 1 integrons contained an atypical 3'-CS linked to the qacH-sul3 domain, and three were not a sul type. Two novel GyrA mutations (Pro-45→Ser and Met-48→Ile) and three novel ParC mutations (Ser-5→Arg, Thr-31→Met and Leu-77→Arg) were identified in ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates. At least 90% of the Salmonella isolates contained pagC, prgH, sitC, sipB or spaN, whereas all isolates harboured invA, msgA, spiA and tolC.     

辽宁地区沙门菌整合子与耐药相关性研究

摘要：目的 及时掌握辽宁地区沙门菌整合子的分布以及对常用抗菌药物的耐药情况,获取沙门菌整合子与耐药性的相关性,从而为临床用药及治疗提供指导。方法 本文对来源于食品以及病患的149株沙门菌,利用PCR扩增的方法,进行整合子类别的筛选,并将扩增的整合子基因盒进行基因测序,同时通过药敏板测定(耐药性实验)对沙门菌与15种临床常用抗菌药物的耐药相关性进行研究。结果 149株沙门菌中未发现第II类、第III类整合子,检出第I类整合子的菌株50株,I类整合子阳性率为33.6%。50株整合子阳性菌株中25株携带耐药基因盒,片段范围从1500~1800 bp。测序结果表明,其中22株整合子携带dfrA17-aadA5基因盒,2株携带dfrA12-aadA2基因盒,1株首次检出罕见耐药基因盒linG。根据整合子携带情况不同,对15种抗菌药物的耐药率进行对比分析,结果显示整合子阳性菌对9种抗菌药物的耐药率显著高于整合子阴性菌(P<0.01),分别为氨苄西林、四环素、氯霉素、头孢噻肟、头孢唑林、庆大霉素、复方磺胺甲恶唑、阿奇霉素和环丙沙星。辽宁地区沙门菌多重耐药率达50.3%。结论 I类整合子在沙门菌中分布广泛,抗性基因表型与耐药结果相一致,整合子的携带与沙门菌多重耐药率高度相关。沙门菌对亚胺培南和头孢西丁保持高敏感率,可以用于对常规抗菌药物耐药的沙门菌的治疗。     

Antibiotic resistance and class 1 integron patterns of non-typhoidal human Salmonella serotypes isolated in Hungary in 2002 and 2003

The antibiotic resistance profiles of 5178 Salmonella strains representing 19 non-typhoidal serotypes isolated from human salmonellosis cases in Hungary in 2002 and 2003 were analysed for resistance to 10 antibiotic agents. The most frequent resistances were to nalidixic acid (Nx), streptomycin (S), tetracycline (Tc), ampicillin (Amp) and chloramphenicol (Cm) (ranging from 27% to 13%). Forty-five percent of the Salmonella Typhimurium strains were multiple resistant and belonged mainly to the definitive phage types 104 and U302. A prevalence of 83-94% of strains of serotypes S. Infantis, S. Hadar and S. Virchow was observed with the NxSTc resistance pattern, sometimes complemented with other resistances. Multiple resistance was uncommon in S. Enteritidis; nevertheless, 20% of the strains, most of which belonged to phage type 4, were nalidixic acid resistant. One strain of S. Typhimurium was found to be resistant to ciprofloxacin. Four S. Typhimurium strains were resistant to cefotaxime and produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamase. Selected isolates were screened for the presence of class 1 integrons by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Nucleotide sequencing of the PCR products revealed nine different variable regions. One resistance gene was identified in five variable regions (aadA1, aadA2, aadA23, dfrV and pse-1), and four variable regions carried two resistance gene cassettes (aadB-catB3, dhfrI-aadA, dfrA17-aadA5 and oxa-1-aadA1).     

Characterisation of antimicrobial resistance patterns and class 1 integrons among Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis strains isolated from humans and swine in Taiwan

Escherichia coli isolates from humans (n=110) and swine (n=61) and Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis isolates (n=95) from swine in southern Taiwan were characterised for antimicrobial resistance patterns and class 1 integrons. All E. coli isolates and S. Choleraesuis isolates were multidrug resistant and demonstrated high resistance to beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, tetracycline, sulfonamides, spectinomycin, chloramphenicol and nalidixic acid. By polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing, 104 (61%) E. coli isolates and 31 (33%) S. Choleraesuis isolates were found to carry class 1 integrons. The gene cassette array dfrA12-orfF-aadA2 was the most prevalent (24%) among the human and swine E. coli isolates, whilst the gene cassette array dfrA12-orfF-aadA2-sul1 was the most prevalent (24%) among S. Choleraesuis strains. For E. coil isolates, all class 1 integrons were located on conjugated plasmids. Meanwhile, human and swine E. coli isolates carrying identical gene cassettes were genetically unrelated. Our results revealed that multidrug resistance and class 1 integrons were widely present in E. coli and S. Choleraesuis isolates obtained in Taiwan and that class 1 integrons might play an important role in contributing to the horizontal transfer of antimicrobial resistance.     

100株住院儿童大肠埃希菌Ⅰ类整合子研究

目的:了解Ⅰ类整合子在住院儿童分离大肠埃希菌中分布流行情况。方法:根据NCCLS推荐的纸片扩散法进行药敏试验;PCR扩增临床大肠埃希菌Ⅰ类整合子整合酶基因和可变区基因盒。结果:患者整合酶检出率68%,Ⅰ类整合子基因盒检出率为65%。Ⅰ类整合子的大小约为772 bp～2360 bp,100株细菌各含1～2个Ⅰ类整合子,整合子中最常见的基因盒排列为dfrA17+aadA5和dfrA12+aadA2。结论:Ⅰ类整合子在多重耐药大肠埃希菌中广泛流行,是介导细菌多重耐药性的重要分子机制,应加强基因水平耐药监测。     

Integron gene cassettes in Acinetobacter spp. strains from South China

The epidemiology of emerging antibiotic resistance genes in Asia is inadequately defined and studies within the major pools of transmissible genes such as integron gene cassettes are important. One hundred and twenty-two non-repetitive Acinetobacter spp. isolates were obtained from inpatients of a major hospital in South China. Fifty-three of these isolates contained class 1 integrons, and there is evidence of horizontal gene transfer between unrelated clones. The common pool of gene cassettes was dominated by four cassette arrays: arr3-aacA4 (24 isolates of several unrelated strains); aacC1-orfP-orfQ-aadA1a (11 isolates, probably all the same strain); aacA4-catB8-aadA1 (2 isolates); and dfrVII (1 isolate). We developed a simple restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-based identification of these and other cassettes reported in China, using readily available enzymes, to facilitate further studies of this type.     

Antibiotic resistance, integrons and Salmonella genomic island 1 among non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars in The Netherlands

The objective of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial resistance patterns, integron characteristics and gene cassettes as well as the presence of Salmonella genomic island 1 (SGI1) in non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) isolates from human and animal origin. Epidemiologically unrelated Dutch NTS strains (n=237) originating from food-producing animals and human cases of salmonellosis were tested for their susceptibility to 15 antimicrobial agents. Resistance to 14 of these antimicrobials, including the third-generation cephalosporins, was detected. Resistance to sulphonamides, ampicillin, tetracycline, streptomycin, trimethoprim and nalidixic acid was common (>/=10% of the strains were resistant). Resistance against three or more antimicrobials was observed in 57 isolates. The same 237 strains were studied for the prevalence of class 1 integrons, their gene cassettes and the presence of SGI1. Thirty-six isolates (15.2%) carried class 1 integrons. These integrons had ten distinct profiles based on the size of the integron and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Integrons were detected for the first time in serovars Indiana and Senftenberg. Multidrug resistance was strongly associated with the presence of class 1 integrons in which the aadA2, aadA1, bla(PSE-1), dfrA1, dfrA5, dfrA14 or sat genes were present, as determined by nucleotide sequence determination. The presence of gene cassettes or combinations of gene cassettes not previously found in integrons in Salmonella was observed. SGI1 or its variants (SGI-B, -C and -F) were present in 16 isolates belonging to either serovar Typhimurium, Derby or Albany. Regardless of whether the isolate was of human or animal origin, the same resistance phenotype, integron profile and SGI1 structure could be observed.     

临床分离志贺菌耐药性分析及1类整合子的检测

目的了解2007年至2010年安徽省临床分离志贺菌耐药性和1类整合酶基因(intⅠ1)、qacE△1-sul1基因及整合子携带的耐药基因盒的分布。方法琼脂稀释法检测21种抗菌药物对志贺菌的最低抑菌浓度。PCR扩增intⅠ1和qacE△1-sul1基因,对阳性菌株可变区基因盒序列进行分析。结果 137株志贺菌对萘啶酸、氨苄西林、磺胺甲噁唑/甲氧苄啶的耐药率均80.0%以上,且多重耐药率达94.2%,但对三代头孢菌素和氟喹诺酮类耐药率在33.0%以下。intⅠ1的检出率为89.1%(122/137),检出dfrA17-aadA5和aar-3-aacA4两种基因盒,首次在志贺菌中检测到aar-3-aacA4基因,GenBank登录号JF271916。结论安徽省临床分离志贺菌多重耐药现象严重。临床仍可选用氟喹诺酮类和三代头孢菌素作为本地区细菌性痢疾的经验性治疗。1类整合子与志贺菌的耐药具有一定的相关性。     

Class 1 integron gene cassettes in multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria in southern China

Non-duplicate multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (n=1447) isolated from January 2008 to December 2009 were investigated for the presence of integrons as well as characterisation of gene cassettes. Among 825 strains carrying the class 1 integrase gene intI1, 461 gene cassette-positive isolates were found. Thirty-eight distinct gene cassette arrays were identified by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and DNA sequencing analyses. In addition, several novel gene cassette arrays detected in this study were reported for the first time in some species: one in Escherichia coli, six in Klebsiella pneumoniae, six in Enterobacter cloacae, three in Enterobacter aerogenes, one in Proteus mirabilis, one in Acinetobacter spp., one in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and one in Pseudomonas putida. Among them, three cassettes, including HAD-like, ΔMFS-1 and qnrVC-like genes, were originally detected in integrons.     

Class 1 integrons in environmental and clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The aims of this study were to ascertain the presence and spread of class 1 integrons amongst environmental and clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and to characterise their variable regions. A total of 76 isolates (56 clinical and 20 environmental) were studied. The presence of plasmids was explored, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for integron detection. All amplicons were sequenced. PCR detected class 1 integrons in 26 of the 56 clinical isolates; environmental isolates were integron-free. No plasmids were found, thus all the integrons found are possibly on the chromosome. Most isolates presented one amplicon, except PA110514 and PA116136, which showed two PCR products each. Variable regions revealed that 18 strains carried only one gene involved in aminoglycoside resistance, whereas in 3 strains gene cassettes were not found. The most prevalent cassettes amongst isolates were those encoding aminoglycoside adenyltransferase B (aadB). Several of the strains had acquired the same or a highly similar cassette array as those detected in geographically distant P. aeruginosa. This finding suggests that contact with bacterial reservoirs contributes to the evolution of this pathogen towards multiresistance. Empty structures found may represent a reservoir increasing the capacity to adapt to the environment. However, these integrons are not retained when the selective pressure disappears. It is hypothesised that integrons containing gene cassettes are crucial vehicles for the rapid horizontal transfer of resistance. If this is so, reduced use of antibiotics may lead to a significant decrease in the carriage of integrons amongst P. aeruginosa strains.     

Molecular diversity of class 2 integrons in antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria found in wastewater environments in China

The molecular architecture of class 2 integrons among gram-negative bacteria from wastewater environments was investigated in Jinan, China. Out of the 391 antibiotic-resistant bacteria found, 38 isolates harboring class 2 integrons encoding potentially transferrable genes that could confer antibiotic resistance were found. These isolates were classified into 19 REP-PCR types. These strains were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and found to be as follows: Proteus mirabilis (16), Escherichia coli (7), Providencia spp. (7), Proteus spp. (2), P. vulgaris (3), Shigella sp. (1), Citrobacter freundii (1), and Acinetobacter sp. (1). Their class 2 integron cassette arrays were amplified and then either analyzed using PCR–RFLP or sequenced. The typical array dfrA1-sat2-aadA1 was detected in 27 isolates. Six atypical arrays were observed, including three kinds of novel arrangements (linF2(?attC1)-dfrA1(?attC2)-aadA1-orf441 or linF2(?attC1)-dfrA1(?attC2)-aadA1, dfrA1-catB2-sat2-aadA1, and estX _Vr -sat2-aadA1) and a hybrid with the 3′CS of class 1 integrons (dfrA1-sat2-aadA1-qacH), and dfrA1-sat1. Twenty-four isolates were also found to carry class 1 integrons with 10 types of gene cassette arrays. Several non-integron-associated antibiotic resistance genes were found, and their transferability was investigated. Results showed that water sources in the Jinan region harbored a diverse community of both typical and atypical class 2 integrons, raising concerns about the overuse of antibiotics and their careless disposal into the environment.     

Genetic environment of sul genes and characterisation of integrons in Escherichia coli isolates of blood origin in a Spanish hospital

The prevalence and characterisation of integrons and the genetic environment of sulphonamide resistance genes were studied in 135 Escherichia coli isolates recovered from blood cultures in a Spanish hospital during 2007. Class 1 and 2 integrons were identified in 54 isolates (intI1, 52 isolates; intI2, 1 isolate; and intI1 + intI2, 1 isolate). Of the 53 intI1-positive isolates, 36 (67.9%) contained the classic class 1 integron including the qacEΔ1–sul1 region, and 11 different gene cassette arrangements were demonstrated in 33 of these isolates. Seventeen intI1-positive isolates lacked the qacEΔ1–sul1 region, and 8 gene cassette arrangements were demonstrated in 12 of these isolates. Seventy-one isolates showed a sulphonamide-resistant phenotype, 63 of which contained sul genes. The sul1 gene was associated with intI1 in 36 of 42 sul1-positive isolates, and the sul3 gene was associated with non-classic class 1 integrons in 5 of 7 sul3-positive isolates. Finally, sul2 was found associated with strA–strB genes in 32 of 35 sul2-positive isolates, identifying 11 genetic structures, 1 of them presenting the IS150 element disrupting the strB gene; this structure was included in GenBank with accession no. FJ705354. Almost one-half of the E. coli isolates from blood cultures contained integrons and sul genes. Moreover, sul genes were detected in different structures, one of them new, and could be important determinants in antibiotic resistance dissemination.     

Molecular analysis of multiresistant porcine Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Bredeney isolates from Southern Brazil: identification of resistance genes, integrons and a group II intron

The relationships of 83 porcine Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Bredeney isolates obtained at two slaughterhouses in Southern Brazil were analysed by XbaI and BlnI macrorestriction analysis, plasmid profiling and determination of antimicrobial resistance patterns. Twenty-nine XbaI and 30 BlnI macrorestriction patterns were identified. The 72 plasmid-bearing isolates exhibited 20 different plasmid profiles. Multiresistance was detected in 49 isolates (59%), of which 39 isolates showed at least resistance to sulfonamides, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, kanamycin and/or ampicillin. A representative subset of 12 isolates was chosen for identification of resistance genes, their localisation and transferability. The sulfonamide resistance genes sul1, sul2 and sul3, the tetracycline resistance genes tet(A) and tet(B), the phenicol resistance genes catA1 and floR, the streptomycin resistance gene strA, the kanamycin resistance gene aphA1 and the ampicillin resistance gene bla_TEM were detected and found to be located most frequently on plasmids. In addition, class 1 and 2 integrons with the cassette arrangements dfrA21/bla_OXA-129/aadA1 and dfrA1/sat1/aadA1, respectively, were detected. A group II intron was found to be inserted into the 59-base element of an aadA1 gene cassette in a class 1 integron. This study revealed a wide genomic variety among the S. Bredeney isolates, and the high number of multiresistant isolates may point towards the risks that these S. Bredeney isolates can represent to human health.     

Emergence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi associated with a class 1 integron carrying the dfrA7 gene cassette in Nepal

A total of 121 Salmonella enterica serovars Typhi and Paratyphi A isolated from enteric fever patients at a university hospital in Nepal between February 2004 and January 2006 were tested for their antimicrobial susceptibility. The occurrence and cassette content of integrons as well as the molecular mechanisms of resistance among the multidrug-resistant (MDR) S. Typhi were evaluated. Thirty-nine percent of the isolates were susceptible to all the antimicrobial agents tested. Seven of the S. Typhi strains were MDR. None of the 121 S. enterica isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin, cefazolin, rifampicin or kanamycin. All MDR S. Typhi isolates contained a class 1 integron with a single cassette, dfrA7, conferring resistance to trimethoprim. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of XbaI-generated genomic restriction fragments yielded 12 different patterns. Five of the seven MDR isolates containing class 1 integrons had an identical PFGE pattern. Resistance to sulfamethoxazole, streptomycin, ampicillin, tetracycline and chloramphenicol was mediated by sul1, strA-strB, blaTEM-like, tetB and catA genes, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of integron-associated multidrug resistance as well as the first molecular characterisation of the mechanism of resistance of S. Typhi isolated from Nepal. This study indicates the spread of integron-associated multidrug resistance in S. Typhi in Nepal.     

多重耐药临床菌株中整合子结构的检测与分析

目的研究广州暨南大学附属第一医院2004年部分临床菌株样本的整合子及其基因盒的分布特性。方法多重PCR检测与细菌耐药关系密切的1、2、3类整合酶基因,进一步对阳性样本可变区的基因盒序列鉴定分析。结果随机抽取109株临床菌株,整合酶阳性检出率为97.2%(106/109),其中1类整合酶阳性菌100株(91.7%),2类整合酶阳性菌1株(0.92%),此外有5株(4.6%)同时检出1、2类整合酶,没有检测到3类整合酶;基因盒鉴定结果显示,插入基因盒以dfrA(甲氧苄氨嘧啶耐药相关)和aadA(氨基糖苷类耐药相关)基因家族为主,也在少数菌株中发现了aacA4、cmlA1、catB3以及sat1基因盒。其中又以dfrA12、orfF和aadA2组合最为常见,耐药基因盒PCR扩增片段为1913bp(64.6%);此外,还发现了同时存在两种整合子结构的菌株。结论整合子普遍存在于临床菌株中,可通过基因水平转移在不同菌属间传播,提示各医药单位必须加强耐药监测及合理选择抗菌药物,以减少多重耐药细菌的发生和发展。     

鲍曼不动杆菌Ⅰ类整合子与多重耐药相关性研究

目的 了解临床分离鲍曼不动杆菌的耐药状况、Ⅰ类整合子的分布情况,探讨Ⅰ类整合子与多重耐药的关系.方法 检测20种临床常用抗菌药物对鲍曼不动杆菌临床分离株的最低抑菌浓度(MIC).PCR扩增Ⅰ类整合酶基因.对部分Ⅰ类整合酶阳性菌株进行耐药基因盒序列分析.结果 鲍曼不动杆菌呈现多重耐药,鲍曼不动杆菌对IMP和MRP耐药率分别为0.9%和1.8%,对CPZ/SB的耐药率为35.7%,对其它抗菌药物的耐药率均大于60%,多重耐药率为76.8%(86/112),但对COL和MIN均敏感.80.4%(90/112)的菌株检测出Ⅰ类整合子.Ⅰ类整合子阳性株对多种药物的耐药率均高于阴性株,且Ⅰ类整合子阳性株多重耐药率(90%)明显高于阴性株(22.7%)(P<0.01).Ⅰ类整合子基因盒序列分析显示,Ⅰ类整合子携带aacA4,catB8和aadA13种耐药基因.结论 Ⅰ类整合子在鲍曼不动杆菌中检出率很高并与其多重耐药性关系密切.     

Novel cassette arrays of integrons in clinical strains of Enterobacteriaceae in China

One hundred and forty-two Enterobacteriaceae isolates randomly selected from four general hospitals in Nanjing region of China were investigated for antibiotic susceptibility, the presence of integrons and the characterisation of gene cassettes. Eighty-five (59.9%) Enterobacteriaceae strains contained class 1 integrons, and 17 (65.4%) of 26 Shigella contained class 2 integrons. Class 3 integrons were not detected in this study. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and DNA sequencing analysis revealed seven different cassette arrays of class 1 integrons; additionally, four cassette arrays identified in this study were reported for the first time in some species. The genes most commonly found in these class 1 integrons were those for aminoglycoside and trimethoprim resistance. In conclusion, class 1 and 2 integrons were widespread in Enterobacteriaceae and Shigella, respectively, in Nanjing area of China and it was likely that integrons played an important role in antibiotic resistance. Characterisation of cassette arrays of integrons could be a useful epidemiological tool to study the evolution of multidrug resistance and the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes.     

细菌整合子研究进展

整合子是近年来在细菌中发现的一种可移动性基因元件，通过位点特异性重组捕获并表达外源性基因盒，是导致耐药基因在细菌间水平播散的重要原因。本文就整合子的发现、结构、分类；基因盒的结构、来源；整合子对基因盒的捕获、剪切与表达；整合子与细菌耐药性的关系以及整合子的检测等方面进行综述。