Stenotrophomonas maltophilia resistance to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole mediated by acquisition of sul and dfrA genes in a plasmid-mediated class 1 integron

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is becoming a more and more common cause of infections. In this study, the minimal inhibitory concentrations of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (SXT), ceftazidime, minocycline, levofloxacin, chloramphenicol and ticarcillin/clavulanic acid were determined and the distribution of integrons and sul1, sul2 and dfrA genes was investigated in 102 S. maltophilia isolates collected from patients treated in 31 hospitals in Anhui, China, in the month of September in 2006-2008. The rate of resistance to SXT was up to 30.4%, and 64.7% of isolates were class 1 integron-positive. Sequencing data revealed the following novel gene cassettes embedded in class 1 integrons: dfrA17-aadA5; dfrA12-aadA2; aacA4-catB8-aadA1; aadB-aac(6')-II-bla(CARB-8); and arr-3-aacA4. This is the first report of the gene cassettes dfrA17-aadA5 and dfrA12-aadA2 and of sul2 genes in SXT-resistant S. maltophilia isolates in China. None of the SXT-susceptible S. maltophilia isolates were positive for sul2 or dfrA gene products by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), but PCR products for sul1 were detected in 27 SXT-susceptible and 25 SXT-resistant isolates. The findings from this study indicate that the sul1 gene, in combination with dfrA17 and dfrA12 gene cassettes and sul2 genes located within a 7.3kb plasmid, lead to a high rate of SXT resistance and also confirm the need for ongoing resistance surveillance.     

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.     

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.     

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。     

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.     

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).     

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。     

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。     

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。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

细菌耐药整合子intI分类的多重PCR方法的建立及应用

目的建立快速筛选细菌耐药整合子的分类方法,并对21株来自临床的菌株进行整合子筛选和分类。方法根据G enB ank/EM BL内的第一、第二和第三类的整合酶序列,通过软件C lustalW的多重比对分析设计出各类整合子的特异性引物,用对照菌株建立多重PCR方法并对21株临床菌株进行PCR扩增,通过其PCR扩增产物片段大小的不同进行整合子分类。结果对照菌株实验结果显示,21株临床分离菌株中,15株在565bp处有扩增片段,即为含有第一类整合酶基因;4株在403bp处有扩增片段,即含有第二类整合酶基因;1株在565bp和403bp处均有扩增片段,提示其同时含有第一、二类整合酶基因;1株没有得到任何扩增片段,即不含有这三类整合酶基因;在被测菌株中未发现第三类整合酶基因的阳性菌株。结论本文报道的筛选细菌耐药整合酶基因分类的多重PCR方法效果良好,具有可行性,为更加全面细致研究整合子类型以及整合子介导的细菌耐药机制提供了一种简单易行、快捷有效的方法。     

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.     

Detection of integrons and antibiotic-resistance genes in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium isolates with resistance to ampicillin and variable susceptibility to amoxicillin-clavulanate

We characterized 29 antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strains, including four belonging to the monophasic variant 4,5,12:i:-, mostly isolated from infants. They were selected from 3230 strains isolated in the years 1990-2001 on the basis of resistance to ampicillin and variable susceptibility to the amoxicillin-clavulanate combination. Twenty-three strains were resistant to more than four antibiotics. All the strains carried the bla(TEM) gene and most were able to transfer this gene by conjugation. Sequencing of the gene from one of the amoxicillin-clavulanate-resistant strains allowed identification of the encoded beta-lactamase as TEM-1; all of these strains carried a second gene encoding beta-lactamase production, either pse-1 or oxa1. However, the association of bla(TEM) plus pse-1 genes did not always confer resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanate. The pse-1 gene, found in 17 strains, was located in the Salmonella Genomic Island-1 (SGI1), which carries two integrons and encodes multiple drug-resistance. None of the oxa1-bearing strains had the SGI1, yet this gene was found as part of an integron that also carried the aadA1 gene and was not plasmid-associated. Thirteen of the strains harbouring SGI1 belonged to the definitive phage type (DT) 104, and most of those remaining to DT104b and U302; particularly, strains carrying the oxa1-aadA1 integron belonged to the last two phage types. Pulsed field electrophoresis confirmed the clonal organization of DT104 strains, whereas U302 strains fell into different groups, depending on their resistance determinants.     

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.     

Dissemination of genetically related IMP-6-producing multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa ST235 in South Korea

The present study aimed to describe the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates obtained from non-tertiary care hospitals and geriatric hospitals in South Korea. Of the 644 isolates, 224 were carbapenem-resistant, amongst which 41 (18.3%) were MBL-producers and the major MBL type was IMP-6 (35 isolates). IMP-6-producing isolates were multidrug-resistant and showed higher minimum inhibitory concentrations for meropenem than imipenem. All of the IMP-6-producing isolates had class 1 integrons with amplification sizes of 4.5 kb/5.5 kb (34 isolates) or 3.0 kb (1 isolate); 4.5 kb/5.5 kb integrons had bla(IMP-6)-qac-aacA4-bla(OXA-1)-aadA1 (5.5 kb) and aadB-cmlA-bla(OXA-10)-aadA1 (4.5 kb). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis indicated that all IMP-6-producing P. aeruginosa from various geographic areas had nearly identical patterns with >85% similarity. All IMP-6-producing isolates showed high genetic similarity to those obtained from tertiary care hospitals and had the same integron type, indicating the spread of these strains to the three types of hospitals nationwide. These data show the wide spreading of clonally related IMP-6-producing P. aeruginosa (sequence type 235) through tertiary, non-tertiary and geriatric hospitals in South Korea. Continuous monitoring and thorough infection control should be performed in all types of hospitals to prevent further spreading of MBL-producing P. aeruginosa.     

Occurrence,abundance and elimination of class 1 integrons in one municipal sewage treatment plant

Integrons are elements that encode a site-specific recombination system that recognizes and captures mobile gene cassettes and are closely related to multiple resistances of environmental microorganisms. This study was undertaken to determine the efficiency of an activated sludge process to remove integrons. The prevalence and characteristics of class 1 integrons were investigated for bacterial species isolated from the activated sludge of Nanjing Jiangxinzhou sewage treatment plant (STP, China). A total of 189 bacterial strains were isolated from influent water, activated sludge and effluent water, and PCR–RFLP (Polymerase chain reaction—restriction fragment length polymorphism) of 16S rRNA gene showed that the isolated bacteria were Escherichia coli, Aeromonas veronii, Klebsiella spp., Aeromonas salmonicida and Aeromonas media. PCRs showed that 57 isolates contained class 1 integronase gene intI1. The integron detection frequency in the isolated strains was 20.4% for influent, 30.9% for activated sludge and 38.9% for effluent. Quantitative real-time PCR assay showed that the abundance of integrons in effluent was higher than that in influent. This study indicates that class 1 integrons are wide-spread in STPs which might be involved in multiple resistances in the activated sludge characterized by high biomass and biodiversity.