Prevalence and characterization of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes in extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates in Mexico

The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes in a collection of 226 extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates and characterize the qnr-positive isolates. The rate of qnr-positive isolates was 21.6% (49/226), 49.5% for aac(6')-Ib-cr (112/226), and 1.7% for qepA1 (4/226). Those isolates carried qnr genes corresponding to types qnrB (71.4%), qnrS1 (24.4%), and qnrA1 (18.3%). The distribution among bacterial species was as follows: 55.8% (19/34) to Enterobacter cloacae, 50% (28/56) to Klebsiella pneumoniae, and 1.4% (2/136) to Escherichia coli. The characterization of qnr-positive isolates indicated the ESBL SHV-types as the most prevalent (81.6%), including the ESBLs SHV-12, SHV-5, and SHV-2a, followed by CTX-M-15 (44.9%) and TLA-1 (8.1%). In addition, for qnr-positive isolates, the prevalence of aac(6')-Ib-cr was 55.1%, but qepA was not identified. Alterations at codons Ser-83 and Asp-87 in GyrA and at codons Ser-80 in ParC were observed in 69% and 80% of the qnr-positive isolates, respectively. The analysis of the transconjugants revealed a cotransmission of bla(CTX-M-15) with qepA1 or aac(6')-Ib-cr and/or qnrA1 and bla(SHV-type) with qnrB5 and qnrB6 genes. To conclude, these findings indicate a high prevalence of qnr and aac(6')-Ib-cr among ESBL-producing isolates from Mexican hospitals and point to the wide spread of qnr-like determinants associated to ESBLs SHV- and CTX-M-type in Mexican clinical isolates.     

水环境分离细菌及临床分离弗劳地柠檬酸杆菌中喹诺酮耐药基因qnr及aac(6')-Ⅰ b-cr的检测

目的 调查水环境分离细菌及临床分离弗劳地柠檬酸杆菌中喹诺酮耐药基因qnr和aac(6')-Ⅰ b-cr的流行情况及qnr基因型分布.方法 从杭州10个不同的水域中分离细菌,从4个城市的多家医院收集弗劳地柠檬酸杆菌临床菌株.琼脂稀释法测定环丙沙星、左氧氟沙星和萘啶酸对细菌的最低抑菌浓度(MIC).PCR方法检测细菌中qnrA、qnrB、qnrS及aac(6')-Ⅰ b-cr基因.对PCR产物进行测序及序列分析,确定各基因型别.结果 从水环境分离到78株革兰阴性杆菌(包括33株肠杆菌科细菌、21株气单胞菌属、10株不动杆菌属、10株假单胞菌属、2株产碱杆菌属和2株邻单胞菌属细菌).10株弗劳地柠檬酸杆菌中有8株qnrB基因阳性;9株大肠埃希菌中qnrS1和aac(6')-Ⅰb-cr基因阳性各1株;1株斑点气单胞菌(Aeromonas punctata)qnrS2阳性.临床分离的103株弗劳地柠檬酸杆菌中,qnr基因检出75株(72.8%),其中qnrA1有3株(2.9%),qnrB有65株(63.1%),qnrS2有1株(1.0%),qnrA1合并qnrB阳性5株(4.8%),qnrS1合并qnrB阳性1株;aa47(6')一Ⅰ b检出33株(32.0%),其中12株(11.6%)存在-cr变异体.qnrB的基因型以qnrB9、qnrB8和qnrB6为主.结论 首次在欧洲以外地区分离到携带qnrS2基因的气单胞菌属细菌.水环境及临床分离的弗劳地柠檬酸杆菌中qnrB基因的携带率非常高,后者同时有较高的aac(6')-Ⅰ b-cr携带率.弗劳地柠檬酸杆菌中qnrB基因的亚型以qnrB9、qnrB8和qnrB6最为常见.     

海藻希瓦菌中发现一种新的qnrA7基因亚型

目的 研究海藻希瓦菌中质粒介导的喹诺酮类耐药基因的分布和特性.方法 PCR检测qnr、qepA、aac(6')Ib-cr基因,阳性产物进行DNA测序以确定其基因型,接合转移试验探讨质粒介导的喹诺酮类耐药基因的体外转移性,E-test法测定菌株MIC,提取质粒对qnrA基因进行初步定位.结果 海藻希瓦菌中检出qnrA基因,为新发现的亚型,命名为qnrA7,GenBank登录号为GQ463707,未检出qnrB、qnrS、qnrC、qnrD、qepA、aac(6')-Ib-cr基因;qnrA7位于约33 kb的质粒上,但体外接合转移试验未成功;该菌对喹诺酮类药物敏感.结论 海藻希瓦菌质粒上检出新的qnrA基因亚型,其作为qnr基因的环境宿主值得关注.     

Prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes in uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated in a teaching hospital of northern Italy

A retrospective study was conducted to determine the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants in uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from inpatients and outpatients in a teaching hospital of northern Italy. The presence of qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, aac(6')-Ib-cr, and qepA was evaluated in 76 and 72 nalidixic acid-resistant E. coli, isolated in 2004 and 2006, respectively. Positivity for the aac(6')-Ib-cr gene was demonstrated in 3 of 76 (3.9%) and 8 of 72 (11%) isolates, respectively; no other PMQR determinant was found. All aac(6')-Ib-cr-positive strains also showed two point mutations in the gyrA and parC genes. Most aac(6')-Ib-cr-positive isolates demonstrated the contemporary presence of bla(CTX-M-15), bla(OXA-1/30), and bla(TEM-1) genes and 4/11 harbored a class 1 integron with a dfrA17-aadA5 gene cassette arrangement. Interestingly, all aac(6')-Ib-cr-positive isolates belonged to B2 phylogenetic group, O25b antigen type, multi locus sequence type 131, and to a cluster of approximately 70% similarity level by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). These findings suggest the circulation of the previously described intercontinentally spreading E. coli O25:H4-ST131 clone in our geographical area since 2004. Hybridization studies of the PFGE profiles showed the aac(6')-Ib-cr gene to be associated with different molecular weight bands (40-350 kb) and interestingly aac(6')-Ib-cr chromosomal integration was demonstrated in one strain by I-Ceu I method. This represents the first report to investigate the presence and diffusion of PMQR determinants in northern Italy and to describe aac(6')-Ib-cr chromosomal integration in E. coli.     

大肠埃希氏菌的qnrB基因检测与耐药机制研究

目的探索本地区医院大肠埃希氏菌喹诺酮耐药基因的分布及耐药机制。方法采用PCR扩增与测序、基因初步定位、质粒接合转移实验等方法确定喹诺酮耐药的大肠埃希氏菌qnr的基因类型,以分析研究有关的耐药特点与机制。结果各大肠埃希氏菌株中仅qnrB基因阳性,qnrA、qnrS、qnrC、qnrD、qepA、aac（6’）-Ib-cr基因均阴性;并且qnrB基因包括qnrB2、qnrB5、qnrB9、qnrB16、qnrB18、qnrB19和qnrB31等位基因;在这些qnrB等位基因中,qnrB31与qnrB16、qnrB2与qnrB9同源性较高;各qnrB等位基因分别位于约21.0 kb至28.0 kb长的质粒上。结论在本地区医院存在不同的qnrB等位基因流行;实验菌株的喹诺酮耐药与qnrB等位基因结构中LexA-蛋白结合位点共有序列缺失有关。     

Molecular epidemiology of ciprofloxacin-resistant extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in Taiwan

Fluoroquinolone resistance in extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL)-producing isolates results in very few antimicrobial treatment options. In Taiwan's Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (TSAR) III program, 124 (52.8%) cases of ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-KP) were resistant to ciprofloxacin. The prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants and chromosomal quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDR) of gyrA and parC genes among ESBL-KP isolates was assessed via PCR sequencing. Chromosomal QRDR mutations were present in most of the 123 (96.8%) cases of ciprofloxacin-resistant ESBL-KP isolates. Sixty-six (53.2%) isolates had at least one PMQR gene. qnrB2, qnrB4, and qnrS1 were detected in 26, 19, and 13 isolates, respectively, whereas qnrA, qnrC, and qnrD were not detected. ESBL genes were transferable via conjugation with either aac(6')Ib-cr or qnrB in 63.6% of the isolates carrying PMQR genes. QnrB was associated with either CTX-M-15 or SHV-12, and aac(6')Ib-cr was linked to CTX-M-3 or CTX-M-14 in plasmids. qnrS did not co-transfer with ESBL genes. Clonal spread of PMQR genes harboring ESBL-KP isolates was observed in three hospitals. QnrA, which is common in Asia, was unexpectedly absent in ESBL-KP in Taiwan. Aside from transmission via clonal spread for ciprofloxacin-resistant ESBL-KP, concomitant transference of PMQR genes with either bla(CTX-M) or bla(SHV) via plasmid was common.     

Prevalence of the plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes, aac(6')-Ib-cr, qepA, and oqxAB in clinical isolates of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in Korea

In this study, we sought to determine the prevalence of the plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes aac(6')-Ib-cr, qepA, and oqxAB in extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates in South Korea. In total, 104 isolates (63 E. coli and 41 K. pneumoniae) were collected. We found that 23 of the 63 (36.5%) E. coli and nine of the 41 (22.0%) K. pneumoniae isolates were positive for aac(6')-Ib-cr. No isolate was positive for qepA, while transferable oqxAB was detected only in 10 (24.4%) K. pneumoniae isolates. Among the 32 aac(6')-Ib-cr-positive isolates, 30 (93.8%) were positive for both aac(6')-Ib-cr and bla(CTX-M) (CTX-M-15, -14, and -57). Our results suggest that PMQR determinants are highly prevalent in ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates in Korea.     

Plasmid mediated quinolone resistance determinants qnr,aac(6′)-Ib-cr,and qep in ESBL-producing Escherichia coli clinical isolates from Egypt

Purpose: To characterize the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinants qnr, aac(6′)-Ib-cr and qep in extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) -producing E. coli and to determine the association of these determinants with CTX-M group in Cairo, Egypt. Materials and Methods: MICs of 15 antimicrobial agents against 70 E. coli clinical isolates were determined using agar dilution technique according to CLSI. Screening for the qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, aac(6′)-Ib, qep and CTX-M genes was carried out by PCR amplification and DNA sequencing. Curing was used to confirm whether qnr, aac(6′)-Ib, qep or ESBL-encoding genes were located on plasmids. Results: Out of 70 E. coli clinical isolates, 61 were resistant to at least one antibiotic, 16 (22.8%) were multidrug resistant and 30 (42%) were ESBL producers. Out of 30 ESBL producers E. coli isolates, 8 (26.6%) were positive for qnr genes, and the qnrA1-, qnrB1-and qnrS1-type genes were detected alone or in combination in 5 (16.6%), 7 (23.3%) and 5 (16.6%) isolates, respectively. Seven (23.3%) isolates were positive for aac(6′)-Ib-cr and only two (6.6%) isolates were positive for qepA4. Loss of all plasmids upon curing suggested that qnr, aac(6′)-Ib-cr, qep A4 and ESBL-encoding genes were always plasmid mediated. Out of 8 Qnr positive isolates 5 were associated with both CTX-M-1 and CTX-M-9 while 2 from 6 aac(6′)-Ib-cr positive isolates were associated with both CTX-M-1 and CTX-M-9. Conclusions: This study highlights the prevalence of quinolone resistance determinants qnr, aac(6′)-Ib-cr, qep A4 associated with CTX-M positive E. coli isolates from Egypt. This is the first report of the plasmid mediated fluoroquinolone efflux pump, Qep A from Egypt.     

环丙沙星耐药肠杆菌科细菌临床株qnr和aac(6')-Ⅰ b-cr基因的检测

目的 了解温州地区环丙沙星耐药肠杆菌科细菌临床株的qnr、aac(6')-Ⅰ b-cr基因的分布情况.方法 收集2005年8月-2008年4月间温州医学院附属第一医院环丙沙星耐药的肠杆菌科细菌共461株,其中大肠埃希菌370株,阴沟肠杆菌39株,克雷伯菌属细菌52株.应用PCR方法 检测qnr和aac(6')-Ⅰ b幕因,DNA测序检测qnrA、qnrB、qnrS和aac(6')-Ⅰ b-cr基因;接合传递试验方法 探讨细菌质粒介导的耐药性传递情况.结果 461株环丙沙星耐药的肠杆菌科细菌临床株中检出含qnr基因阳性菌株15株(3.25%),包括qnrA基因阳性株5株(4株阴沟肠杆菌和1株解鸟氨酸克雷伯菌)、qnrB基因阳性株4株(2株肺炎克雷伯菌和2株大肠埃希菌)、qnrS基因阳性株6株(2株肺炎克雷伯菌和4株大肠埃希菌);检出52株细菌(包括42株大肠埃希菌、4株阴沟肠杆菌和6株克雷伯菌属细菌)携带aac(6')-Ⅰ b-cr.15株qnr基因阳性的菌株同时携带aac(6')-Ⅰ b-cr,药敏结果 显示对业胺培南敏感但对多种抗生素耐药.15株qnr基因阳性的菌株中7株质粒接合传递试验成功,临床株对喹诺酮类和氨基糖苷类的耐药性部分传递给了受体株.结论 qnr基因在温州地区环丙沙星耐药的肠杆菌科细菌临床株中较少见,而aac(6')-Ⅰ b-cr基因存在较普遍.     

养殖动物分离的大肠埃希菌质粒介导喹诺酮耐药机制的研究

目的 调查养殖业动物大肠埃希菌对喹诺酮类抗生素的耐药情况,阐明耐药机制,为控制畜牧养殖业滥用抗生素提供依据.方法 从7省市9家养殖场采集鸡和猪的肛门拭子样本,分离并鉴定其中的大肠埃希菌,PCR扩增筛选其中的质粒上的喹诺酮耐药基因qnrA、qnrB、qnrS、qnrC、qnrD和aac(6')-I 6-cr,并进行测序和药敏试验,通过接合试验以确定耐药基因的可转移性以及在喹诺酮耐药中的作用.结果 在818株大肠埃希菌中检出38株qnr阳性菌株和75株aac阳性菌株,其中gyrA突变的有15株,parC突变的有13株.结论 养殖业动物分离大肠埃希菌对喹诺酮的耐药性较为普遍,质粒介导的喹诺酮耐药作为一个重要的机制参与其中,提示应加强食源性细菌耐药性的监测.     

大肠埃希菌尿液分离株中检出gyrA基因新变异株

目的 调查大肠埃希菌尿液分离株中喹诺酮类耐药相关基因的存在与变化状况.方法 收集宁波市第一医院2008年10月到2009年3月患者尿液标本中分离的大肠埃希菌共28株,采用聚合酶链反应(PCR)及序列分析的方法分析1种染色体介导的喹诺酮类耐药相关基因(gyrA基因)和5种质粒介导的喹诺酮类耐药相关基因[qnrA、qnrB、qnrS、aac(6＇)-Ⅰb、qepA].结果 28株大肠埃希菌检测到1株aac(6＇)-Ⅰb-Cr基因阳性株(经测序比对证实),qnrA、qnrB、qnrS、qepA基因均未检出.gyrA基因83位密码子28株菌都有突变(100.0%),其突变方式为TCG-83→HTG,导致氨基酸从丝氨酸(S)-83→亮氨酸(L);87位密码子22株菌(78.6%)有突变,可分为两种突变方式:21株(75.0%)突变方式为GAC-87→AAC,导致氨基酸从天冬氨酸(D)-87→天冬酰胺(N);5号株gyrA基因(3.6%)为新亚型,其突变方式为GAC-87→TAC,导致氨基酸从天冬氨酸(D)-87→脯氨酸(Y),另6株菌87位密码子无突变.结论 本组大肠埃希菌gyrA基因突变率为100.0%,是喹诺酮类耐药的主要原因.其他耐药相关基因阳性率很低.     

High rates of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance QnrB variants among ciprofloxacin-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae from urinary tract infections in Korea

The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of qnrA, qnrB, and qnrS determinants and their molecular characteristics in ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae from urinary tract infections (UTI) in Korea. A total of 202 nonduplicated clinical isolates of ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli (n = 143) and K. pneumoniae (n = 59) were collected between July 2005 and August 2006. The qnr determinant screening was carried out by PCR amplification of qnrA, qnrB, and qnrS, and all positive results were confirmed by direct sequencing of the PCR products. For qnr-positive strains and their conjugants, antimicrobial susceptibility tests and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were performed. The qnrB gene was detected in 41 of the 202 isolates. Among 33 of 59 (55.9%) K. pneumoniae isolates showing qnrB, 29 isolates contained the qnrB4 gene, 3 isolates had the qnrB2 gene, and 1 isolate had the qnrB6 gene. All 8 (5.6%) of the qnrB-positive isolates among the 143 E. coli strains possessed the qnrB4 gene. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of ciprofloxacin for the transconjugants were 0.03-2 mug/ml, representing an increase of 4- to 256-fold relative to the recipient, E. coli J53Az(r). Resistances to various other antimicrobial agents also were transferred with the plasmid. The PFGE analysis revealed indistinguishable or closely related patterns in several strains and highly diverse patterns in general. QnrB variants, especially the qnrB4 subtype, are highly prevalent in ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli and K. pneumoniae from UTI in Korea. The emergence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance may contribute by several means to the rapid increase in bacterial resistance to these drugs.     

Plasmid-mediated fluoroquinolone resistance determinants in Escherichia coli from community uncomplicated urinary tract infection in an area of high prevalence of quinolone resistance

In Italy fluoroquinolones (FQs) are extensively prescribed in empirical therapy of uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) despite recommendations in national guidelines and widespread antibiotic resistance in community. To survey the dissemination of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance in a peak area of FQs consumption, E. coli strains from 154 community and 41 local hospital patients were collected; low level ciprofloxacin resistance qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, and aac(6)'-Ib-cr genes were screened by PCR and patterns of transferable resistances were determined. Clinical ciprofloxacin resistance in hospital doubled community value, while overall rates of FQ resistance genes were similar (31.6% and 27.8%). Prevalence of aac(6')-Ib-cr gene was 11% in outpatients (21%, inpatients) and risk of harbouring this variant was significantly associated with gentamicin resistance; linkage to ceftazidime resistance was significant (P=0.001) and six out of eight strains produced CTX-M-15 and TEM-1 beta lactamases. In transconjugants, the unique pattern ampicillin/kanamycin-gentamicin/ ESBL + was associated with aac(6')-Ib-cr gene presence and with an increase of ciprofloxacin MIC value. Data highlight the need to monitor the resistance risk factors in the local community to provide clinicians with well-grounded guidelines for UTI therapy.     

Evaluation of three automated systems for susceptibility testing of enterobacteria containing qnrB, qnrS, and/or aac(6')-Ib-cr

The accuracy of the MicroScan WalkAway, BD Phoenix, and Vitek-2 systems for susceptibility testing of quinolones and aminoglycosides against 68 enterobacteria containing qnrB, qnrS, and/or aac(6 ')-Ib-cr was evaluated using reference microdilution. Overall, one very major error (0.09%), 6 major errors (0.52%), and 45 minor errors (3.89%) were noted.     

含qnrA基因质粒介导不同水平环丙沙星耐药性的机制研究

目的 研究4个含qnrA基因质粒在大肠埃希菌接合子中介导环丙沙星耐药水平不同的发生机制.方法 以大肠埃希菌J53作为受体菌,通过接合试验从4株qnrA阳性的临床菌株中获得4株接合子.采用E test方法测定环丙沙星最低抑菌浓度(MIC);以PCR法检测aac(6')-Ib-cr基因,采用实时RT-PCR法测定qnrA的mRNA表达水平,通过启动子探针载体pKK232-8测定qnrA启动子强度,测定、比较启动子周边序列.结果 环丙沙星对仅含qnrA质粒pHS4及pUS5的接合子的MIC为0.094μg/ml及0.125μg/ml,同时携带qnrA及aac(6')-Ib-cr质粒pUS3及pUS6的接合子的环丙沙星MIC为0.25μg/ml及1.00μg/ml.含pUS6接合子qnrA相对表达水平较其他接合子高13～32.5倍,pUS6的qnrA上游序列启动子活性最强,比另3个质粒高12倍,序列分析发现与pUS3比较,pUS6中qnrA转录启始位点与启始密码之间有7 bp(GTYAGCA)的缺失.结论 1个质粒同时携带qnrA和aac(6')-Ib-cr 2个耐药基因及qnrA高表达是导致接合子对环丙沙星的耐药性不同的原因.     

Investigation of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates

Aims: To investigate plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes have been identified in many bacteria within the Enterobactericeae family, they have not been detected in P. aeruginosa isolates. Subjects and Methods: Identification of the isolates and testing of antibiotic susceptibility was performed in Vitek2 Compact (Biomeriux, France) and Phoinex (BD, USA) automated systems. Screening for the qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, qnrC, aac (6′)-Ib-cr and qepA genes was carried out by PCR amplification and aac (6′)-Ib-cr DNA sequencing. Results: The qnr and the qepA genes were not detected in any of P. aeruginosa isolates. The aac (6’)-Ib gene was detected in six of the isolates and positive isolates for aac (6’)-Ib were sequenced for detection of the aac (6’)-Ib-cr variant but aac (6’)-Ib-cr was not detected in any isolates. Conclusions: Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes have so far not been identified in P. aeruginosa isolates. However, qnrB have detected in P. florescens and P. putida isolates. This is the first study conducted on the qnrA, qnrB, qnrS and qnrC genes as well as the qepA and aac (6’)-Ib-cr genes in P. aeruginosa clinical isolates.     

Fluoroquinolone resistance mechanisms in urinary tract pathogenic Escherichia coli isolated during rapidly increasing fluoroquinolone consumption in a low-use country

Resistance to ciprofloxacin in Escherichia coli from urinary tract infections (UTI) in Denmark is increasing parallel to increased use of fluoroquinolones both in Denmark and in other European countries. The objective was to investigate the occurrence of ciprofloxacin resistance mechanisms, phenotypic coresistance, and if ciprofloxacin resistance was caused by clonal spread or to individual mutational events in a collection of consecutively obtained E. coli submitted to a clinical microbiology department at a Danish hospital. One hundred four UTI-related E. coli resistant toward nalidixic acid by disc diffusion were typed by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) with XbaI. One isolate representing each PFGE type and only one patient (n = 77) were investigated for point mutations in sequenced PCR amplicons of the four topoisomerase genes; qnr genes by use of PCR; aac(6')-Ib-cr by BtsCI restriction of PCR products; and efflux using efflux pump inhibitors in a broth dilution assay. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for 21 antibacterial agents, including ciprofloxacin. Of the 77 isolates, the majority were resistant to ciprofloxacin (91%) and multiresistant (resistant to ≥ 3 antimicrobial classes, 83%). Ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates showed at least one target mutation. A significant, positive correlation was found regarding MIC of ciprofloxacin and the number of target mutations. Efflux was found as a resistance mechanism in 77% of isolates tested (n = 60). The aac(6')-Ib-cr gene was detected on plasmids from five isolates showing ciprofloxacin MICs >512 mg/L. No overall clonal relationship among isolates was found according to PFGE. Target modification is the dominating fluoroquinolone resistance mechanism often found in combination with efflux and sometimes aac(6')-Ib-cr. In Denmark, increasing ciprofloxacin resistance in E. coli is mainly due to mutational events and not to spread of clones.     

Emergence of multidrug-resistant NDM-1-producing Gram-negative bacteria in Bangladesh

The main objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of bla (NDM-1) in Gram-negative bacteria in Bangladesh. In October 2010 at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) laboratories, 1,816 consecutive clinical samples were tested for imipenem-resistant Gram-negative organisms. Imipenem-resistant isolates were tested for the bla (NDM-1) gene. Among 403 isolates, 14 (3.5?%) were positive for bla (NDM-1), and the predominant species were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Escherichia coli. All bla (NDM-1)-positive isolates were resistant to multiple antibiotics. Among β-lactamase genes, bla (CTX-M-1-group) was detected in ten isolates (eight bla (CTX-M-15)), bla (OXA-1-group) in six, bla (TEM) in nine, bla (SHV) in seven, and bla (VIM) and bla (CMY) in two isolates each. The 16S rRNA methylase gene, armA, was detected in five?K. pneumoniae isolates and in one E. coli isolate. rmtB and rmtC were detected in a Citrobacter freundii and two?K. pneumoniae isolates, respectively. qnr genes were detected in two?K. pneumoniae isolates (one qnrB and one qnrS) and in an E. coli isolate (qnrA). Transferable plasmids (60-100?MDa) carrying bla (NDM-1) were detected in 7 of the 11 plasmid-containing isolates. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis grouped K. pneumoniae isolates into three clusters, while E. coli isolates differed significantly from each other. This study reports that approximately 3.5?% of Gram-negative clinical isolates in Bangladesh are NDM-1-producing.     

Identification of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes qnrA1, qnrB1 and aac(6')-1b-cr in a multiple drug-resistant isolate of Klebsiella pneumoniae from Chennai

Purpose: Resistance to fluoroquinolones, a commonly prescribed antimicrobial for Gram-negative and Gram-positive microorganisms, is of importance in therapy. The purpose of this study was to screen for the presence of Plasmid-Mediated Quinolone Resistance (PMQR) determinants in clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Materials and Methods: Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) isolates of K. pneumoniae collected during October 2009 were screened by the antimicrobial susceptibility test. The plasmids from these isolates were analysed by specific Polymerase chain Reaction (PCR) for qnrA, qnrB and aac(6’)-1b. The amplified products were sequenced to confirm the allele. Results: Our analysis showed that 61% out of the 23 ESBL K. pneumoniae isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin and 56% to levofloxacin. The PMQR was demonstrated by transforming the plasmids from two isolates P12 and P13 into E. coli JM109. The PMQR gene qnrA was found in 16 isolates and qnrB in 11 isolates. The plasmid pKNMGR13 which conferred an minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of more than 240 µg/ml in sensitive E. coli was found to harbour the qnrA1 and qnrB1 allele. Furthermore, the gene aac(6’)-1b-cr encoding a variant aminoglycoside 6’-N Acetyl transferase which confers resistance to fluoroquinolones was found in the same plasmid. Conclusions: Our report shows the prevalence of PMQR mediated by qnrA and qnrB in multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates from Chennai. A multidrug-resistant plasmid conferring high resistance to ciprofloxacin was found to harbour another PMQR gene, aac(6’)–1b-cr mutant gene. This is the first report screening for PMQR in K. pneumoniae isolates from India.