# | Rank | Similarity | Title + Abs. | Year | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 1690 | 0 | 1.0000 | High frequency of silver resistance genes in invasive isolates of Enterobacter and Klebsiella species. BACKGROUND: Silver-based products have been marketed as an alternative to antibiotics, and their consumption has increased. Bacteria may, however, develop resistance to silver. AIM: To study the presence of genes encoding silver resistance (silE, silP, silS) over time in three clinically important Enterobacteriaceae genera. METHODS: Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 752 bloodstream isolates from the years 1990-2010 were investigated. Age, gender, and ward of patients were registered, and the susceptibility to antibiotics and silver nitrate was tested. Clonality and single nucleotide polymorphism were assessed with repetitive element sequence-based PCR, multi-locus sequence typing, and whole-genome sequencing. FINDINGS: Genes encoding silver resistance were detected most frequently in Enterobacter spp. (48%), followed by Klebsiella spp. (41%) and Escherichia coli 4%. Phenotypical resistance to silver nitrate was found in Enterobacter (13%) and Klebsiella (3%) isolates. The lowest carriage rate of sil genes was observed in blood isolates from the neonatology ward (24%), and the highest in blood isolates from the oncology/haematology wards (66%). Presence of sil genes was observed in international high-risk clones. Sequences of the sil and pco clusters indicated that a single mutational event in the silS gene could have caused the phenotypic resistance. CONCLUSION: Despite a restricted consumption of silver-based products in Swedish health care, silver resistance genes are widely represented in clinical isolates of Enterobacter and Klebsiella species. To avoid further selection and spread of silver-resistant bacteria with a high potential for healthcare-associated infections, the use of silver-based products needs to be controlled and the silver resistance monitored. | 2017 | 28506673 |
| 2254 | 1 | 0.9999 | Hospitalized Pets as a Source of Carbapenem-Resistance. The massive and irrational use of antibiotics in livestock productions has fostered the occurrence and spread of resistance to "old class antimicrobials." To cope with that phenomenon, some regulations have been already enforced in the member states of the European Union. However, a role of livestock animals in the relatively recent alerts on the rapid worldwide increase of resistance to last-choice antimicrobials as carbapenems is very unlikely. Conversely, these antimicrobials are increasingly administered in veterinary hospitals whose role in spreading bacteria or mobile genetic elements has not adequately been addressed so far. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 105 hospitalized and 100 non-hospitalized pets with the aim of measuring the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) colonizing dogs and cats, either hospitalized or not hospitalized and estimating the relative odds. Stool samples were inoculated on MacConkey agar plates containing 1 mg/L imipenem which were then incubated aerobically at 37°C ± 1 for 48 h. Isolated bacteria were identified first by Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and were confirmed by 16S rRNA sequencing. The genetic basis of resistance was investigated using PCR methods, gene or whole genome sequencing (WGS). The prevalence of pets harboring carbapenem-resistant bacteria was 11.4 and 1.0% in hospitalized and not-hospitalized animals, respectively, with an odds ratio of 12.8 (p < 0.01). One pet carried two diverse isolates. Overall, 14 gram-negative non-fermenting bacteria, specifically, one Acinetobacter radioresistens, five Acinetobacter baumannii, six Pseudomonas aeruginosa and two Stenotrophomonas maltophilia were isolated. The Acinetobacter species carried acquired carbapenemases genes encoded by bla (NDM-1) and bla (OXA-23). In contrast, Pseudomonas phenotypic resistance was associated with the presence of mutations in the oprD gene. Notably, inherent carbapenem-resistant isolates of S. maltophilia were also resistant to the first-line recommended chemotherapeutic trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. This study estimates the risk of colonization by carbapenem-resistant non-fermenting GNB in pets hospitalized in veterinary tertiary care centers and highlights their potential role in spreading resistance genes among the animal and human community. Public health authorities should consider extending surveillance systems and putting the release of critical antibiotics under more strict control in order to manage the infection/colonization of pets in veterinary settings. | 2018 | 30574124 |
| 1703 | 2 | 0.9999 | Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates from outbreaks in Erbil hospitals after the COVID-19 pandemic. INTRODUCTION: Acinetobacter baumannii is endemic in hospital environments, and since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, multidrug-resistant A. baumannii has become more potent. This potential evolution is driven by the undetectable numbers of gene resistances it has acquired. We evaluated the antibiotic-resistance genes in isolates from patients in Erbil hospitals. METHODOLOGY: This is the first study to demonstrate the antimicrobial resistance epidemic in Erbil, Iraq. A total of 570 patients, including 100 COVID-19 patients were tested. Isolate identification, characterization, antibiotics susceptibility test, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the antibiotic resistance genes in both bacterial chromosome and plasmid, 16S-23S rRNA gene intergenic spacer (ITS) sequencing using the Sanger DNA sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis were used in this study. RESULTS: Only 13% of A. baumannii isolates were from COVID-19 patients. All isolates were multi-drug resistant due because of 24 resistance genes located in both the bacterial chromosome or the plasmid. blaTEM gene was detected in the isolates; however, aadB was not detected in the isolated bacteria. New carbapenemase genes were identified by Sanger sequencing and resistance genes were acquired by plasmids. CONCLUSIONS: The study identified metabolic differences in the isolates; although all the strains used the coumarate pathway to survive. Several resistance genes were present in the isolates' plasmids and chromosome. There were no strong biofilm producers. The role of the plasmid in A. baumannii resistance development was described based on the results. | 2024 | 39499748 |
| 2303 | 3 | 0.9998 | Patterns of Drug-Resistant Bacteria in a General Hospital, China, 2011-2016. Drug-resistant bacteria has been a threat to public life and property. We described the trends and changes in antibiotic resistance of important pathogens in a general hospital in Zhengzhou, China from 2011 to 2016, to control antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in hospital and provide support to clinicians and decision-making departments. Five dominant bacteria were enrolled based on the data from the general hospital during 6 years. The results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing were interpreted according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). From 2011 to 2016, a total of 19,260 strains of bacteria were isolated, of which Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii accounted for 51.98%. The resistance rate of K. pneumoniae and E. coli to carbapenem was less than 15%, but resistance of K. pneumoniae to carbapenems increased with time and resistance of E. coli to meropenem increased. The rate of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production among K. pneumoniae and E. coli was decreasing. For most antibiotics, the resistance rate of ESBL-positive isolates was higher than that of ESBL-negative isolates, excluding carbapenems and cefoxitin. For S. aureus, the rate of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was stable. Resistance of S. aureus to mostly antibiotics decreased with time. Besides polymyxin B, P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii showed high resistance to other antibiotics. For A. baumannii, the resistance rate to mostly antibiotics was increasing. The bacteria showed high levels of resistance and multiple drug resistance. Continuous surveillance and optimizing the use of antibiotics are essential. Drug-resistant bacteria has been a threat to public life and property. We described the trends and changes in antibiotic resistance of important pathogens in a general hospital in Zhengzhou, China from 2011 to 2016, to control antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in hospital and provide support to clinicians and decision-making departments. Five dominant bacteria were enrolled based on the data from the general hospital during 6 years. The results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing were interpreted according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). From 2011 to 2016, a total of 19,260 strains of bacteria were isolated, of which Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii accounted for 51.98%. The resistance rate of K. pneumoniae and E. coli to carbapenem was less than 15%, but resistance of K. pneumoniae to carbapenems increased with time and resistance of E. coli to meropenem increased. The rate of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production among K. pneumoniae and E. coli was decreasing. For most antibiotics, the resistance rate of ESBL-positive isolates was higher than that of ESBL-negative isolates, excluding carbapenems and cefoxitin. For S. aureus, the rate of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was stable. Resistance of S. aureus to mostly antibiotics decreased with time. Besides polymyxin B, P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii showed high resistance to other antibiotics. For A. baumannii, the resistance rate to mostly antibiotics was increasing. The bacteria showed high levels of resistance and multiple drug resistance. Continuous surveillance and optimizing the use of antibiotics are essential. | 2019 | 31250593 |
| 2327 | 4 | 0.9998 | Identification of Quinolone and Colistin Resistance Genes in Escherichia Coli Strains Isolated from Mucosal Samples of Patients with Colorectal Cancer and Healthy Subjects. INTRODUCTION: Antibiotic resistance and extensive use of antibiotics are amongst the major causes of failure in antibiotic treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate antibiotic resistance patterns and to identify resistance genes of quinolones and colistin in Escherichia coli. There are a very few patents on E. coli isolated from colorectal cancer. So, this study demonstrates that some bacteria resistant to ciprofloxacin have not resistance genes.Moreover, new patterns for E. coli are presented for isolates of patients with colorectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the three healthy people, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) patients and colorectal cancer patients, 40 E. coli strains isolated after confirmation by biochemical and molecular methods. The susceptibility of isolates to antibiotics was investigated using disk diffusion test. After deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify genes encoding resistance to ciprofloxacin (qnr A, qnr B) and colistin (mcr-1). RESULTS: The results showed that E. coli isolates from colorectal cancer patients had the highest resistance to piperacillin (67.5%), ceftazidime (47.5%), and cefepime (42.5%). Also, E. coli strains isolated from IBD patients showed resistance to antibiotic ceftazidime 13%. More than 95% of E. coli strains isolated from healthy people were susceptible to antibiotics. Based on the results, 18 (15%) E. coli strains showed resistance to ciprofloxacin. The qnr A gene was detected in 61.11% isolates; however, qnr B was detected in 9 (50%) isolates. Isolates resistant to colistin were not observed. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate increased resistance of E. coli to ciprofloxacin in comparison with prior studies. Further research in this field will increase our knowledge and more effective exposure to the antibiotic resistance of the pathogenic microorganisms. | 2020 | 31198116 |
| 1691 | 5 | 0.9998 | The increasing threat of silver-resistance in clinical isolates from wounds and burns. PURPOSE: The widespread use of silver-containing compounds has led to emergence of silver-resistant bacteria. Few studies are available on the detectability of plasmid-mediated silver-resistance in developing countries. Therefore, we aimed to detect silver-resistance in isolates from wounds and burns, and to genetically characterize plasmid-mediated silver-resistance genes (sil genes). METHODS: One hundred and fifty clinical isolates were obtained from burns and wounds. They were identified using the suitable Analytical Profile Index and MicroScan identification systems. Their antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by the disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods. Their silver nitrate (AgNO(3)) minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the broth macrodilution method. The presence of different sil genes on plasmids extracted from silver-resistant isolates and the replicon types of the extracted plasmids were investigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The ability of these plasmids to impart silver-resistance was tested by transformation. RESULTS: All except two isolates were multidrug-resistant. Nineteen silver-resistant bacterial isolates (12.6%) were detected; with AgNO(3) MIC ≥512 µg/mL. They were identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=7), Staphylococcus aureus (n=4), Escherichia coli (n=2), Enterobacter cloacae (n=2), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=2) and Acinetobacter baumannii (n=2). PCR revealed the presence of different sil genes on the extracted plasmids. Plasmid transformation resulted in the transfer of silver-resistance to the resulting transformants. The extracted plasmids had different replicon types. CONCLUSION: Plasmid-mediated silver-resistance was detected for the first time, in clinical P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii and S. aureus isolates; in addition to its detection in K. pneumoniae, E. coli and Enterobacter cloacae. Therefore, strict monitoring on the use of silver compounds in medical settings is required; with implementation of an approved standardized method for silver-resistance detection. | 2019 | 31372006 |
| 1960 | 6 | 0.9998 | Phenotypic Investigation and Detection of Biofilm-Associated Genes in Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates, Obtained from Companion Animals. Bacteria of the genus Acinetobacter, especially Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab), have emerged as pathogens of companion animals during the last two decades and are commonly associated with hospitalization and multidrug resistance. A critical factor for the distribution of relevant strains in healthcare facilities, including veterinary facilities, is their adherence to both biotic and abiotic surfaces and the production of biofilms. A group of 41 A. baumannii isolates obtained from canine and feline clinical samples in Greece was subjected to phenotypic investigation of their ability to produce biofilms using the tissue culture plate (TCP) method. All of them (100%) produced biofilms, while 23 isolates (56.1%) were classified as strong producers, 11 (26.8%) as moderate producers, and 7 (17.1%) as weak producers. A correlation between the MDR and XDR phenotypes and weak or moderate biofilm production was identified. Moreover, the presence of four biofilm-associated genes bap, bla(PER), ompA, and csuE was examined by PCR, and they were detected in 100%, 65.9%, 97.6%, and 95.1% of the strains respectively. All isolates carried at least two of the investigated genes, whereas most of the strong biofilm producers carried all four genes. In conclusion, the spread and persistence of biofilm-producing Ab strains in veterinary facilities is a matter of concern, since they are regularly obtained from infected animals, indicating their potential as challenging pathogens for veterinarians due to multidrug resistance and tolerance in conventional eradication measures. Furthermore, considering that companion animals can act as reservoirs of relevant strains, public health concerns emerge. | 2024 | 38787042 |
| 2253 | 7 | 0.9998 | Biofilm Formation and Antibiotic Resistance Profiles in Carbapenemase-Producing Gram-Negative Rods-A Comparative Analysis between Screening and Pathological Isolates. (1) Background: Carbapenem-resistant (CR) bacteria pose a significant global public health challenge due to their ability to evade treatment with beta-lactam antibiotics, including carbapenems. This study investigates the biofilm-forming capabilities of CR clinical bacterial isolates and examines the impact of serum on biofilm formation. Additionally, the study evaluates the resistance profiles and genetic markers for carbapenemase production. (2) Methods: Bacterial isolates were collected from the microbiology laboratory of Mures County Clinical Hospital between October 2022 and September 2023. Pharyngeal and rectal swabs were screened for carbapenem-resistant bacteria using selective media. Lower respiratory tract samples were also analyzed for CR Gram-negative bacteria. The isolates were tested for their ability to form biofilms in the presence and absence of fetal bovine serum at 24 and 48 h. Carbapenemase production was detected phenotypically and confirmed via PCR for relevant genes. (3) Results: Out of 846 screened samples, 4.25% from pharyngeal swabs and 6.38% from rectal swabs tested positive for CR bacteria. Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most common species isolated. Biofilm formation varied significantly between clinical isolates and standard strains, with clinical isolates generally showing higher biofilm production. The presence of serum had no significant effect on biofilm formation in Klebsiella spp., but stimulated biofilm formation for Acinetobacter spp. Carbapenemase genes bla(KPC), bla(OXA-48-like), and bla(NDM) were detected in various isolates, predominantly in Klebsiella spp., but were not the main determinants of carbapenem resistance, at least in screening isolates. (4) Conclusions: This study highlights the variability in biofilm formation among CR clinical isolates and underscores the differences between the bacteria found as carriage versus infection. Both bacterial species and environmental factors variably influence biofilm formation. These insights are crucial for the development of effective treatment and infection control strategies in clinical settings. | 2024 | 39199988 |
| 5700 | 8 | 0.9998 | Gram-negative bacterial colonization in the gut: Isolation, characterization, and identification of resistance mechanisms. BACKGROUND: The gut microbiome is made up of a diverse range of bacteria, especially gram-negative bacteria, and is crucial for human health and illness. There is a great deal of interest in the dynamic interactions between gram-negative bacteria and their host environment, especially considering antibiotic resistance. This work aims to isolate gram-negative bacteria that exist in the gut, identify their species, and use resistance-associated gene analysis to define their resistance mechanisms. METHODS: Samples were collected from all patients who had a stool culture at a tertiary care center in Lebanon. Each type of bacteria that was identified from the stool samples was subjected to critical evaluations, and all discovered strains underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Polymerase chain reaction was used to profile the genes for Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), and that of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. RESULTS: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa turned out to be the predominant microbiota members. Escherichia coli strains had a high frequency of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase genes, with the most discovered gene being bla CTX-M. Additionally, a considerable percentage of isolates had carbapenemase-resistant Enterobacteriaceae genes, suggesting the rise of multidrug-resistant strains. Multidrug resistance genes, such as bla mexR, bla mexB, and bla mexA, were found in strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, highlighting the possible difficulties in treating infections brought on by these bacteria. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the critical importance of effective surveillance and response measures to maintain the effectiveness of antibiotics considering the introduction of multidrug resistance genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and ESBL and CRE genes in Escherichia coli. | 2024 | 39216133 |
| 1948 | 9 | 0.9998 | Identification and Characterization of Cefotaxime Resistant Bacteria in Beef Cattle. Third-generation cephalosporins are an important class of antibiotics that are widely used in treatment of serious Gram-negative bacterial infections. In this study, we report the isolation of bacteria resistant to the third-generation cephalosporin cefotaxime from cattle with no previous cefotaxime antibiotic exposure. The prevalence of cefotaxime-resistant bacteria was examined by a combination of culture based and molecular typing methods in beef cattle (n = 1341) from 8 herds located in North Central Florida. The overall prevalence of cefotaxime-resistant bacteria was 15.8% (95% CI: 13.9, 17.8), varied between farms, and ranged from 5.2% to 100%. A subset of isolates (n = 23) was further characterized for the cefotaxime minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and antibiotic susceptibility against 10 different antibiotics, sequencing of nine β- lactamase genes, and species identification by 16S rRNA sequencing. Most of the bacterial isolates were resistant to cefotaxime (concentrations, > 64 μg/mL) and showed high levels of multi-drug resistance. Full length 16S rRNA sequences (~1300 bp) revealed that most of the isolates were not primary human or animal pathogens; rather were more typical of commensal, soil, or other environmental origin. Six extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes identical to those in clinical human isolates were identified. Our study highlights the potential for carriage of cefotaxime resistance (including "human" ESBL genes) by the bacterial flora of food animals with no history of cefotaxime antibiotic exposure. A better understanding of the origin and transmission of resistance genes in these pre-harvest settings will be critical to development of strategies to prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistant microorganisms to hospitals and communities. | 2016 | 27642751 |
| 2329 | 10 | 0.9998 | Antibiotic resistance and genotyping of clinical group B Salmonella isolated in Accra, Ghana. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to investigate the antibiotic resistance and clonal lineage of serogroup B Salmonella isolated from patients suspected of suffering from enteric fever in Accra, Ghana. METHODS AND RESULTS: Serogroup B Salmonella were isolated from blood (n=28), cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) (n=1), or urine (n=2), and identified based on standard biochemical testing and agglutinating antisera. Isolates were examined for their susceptibility to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Most of the isolates could be classified as multiple-drug resistant. Furthermore, the genetic location of resistance genes was shown to be on conjugative plasmids. Genetic fingerprinting by plasmid profiling, enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)-PCR, and repetitive element (REP)-PCR were performed to determine the diversity among the isolates. Plasmid profiling discriminated five unique groupings, while ERIC-PCR and REP-PCR resulted in two and three groupings, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A high rate of antibiotic resistance was associated with the Salmonella isolates and the genes responsible for the resistance are located on conjugative plasmids. Also, there appears to be minimal diversity associated with the isolates. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: As a result of the increasing antibiotic resistance among bacteria of all genera, surveys to monitor microbial populations are critical to determine the extent of the problem. The inability to treat many infectious diseases with current antibiotic regimens should prompt the medical community to be more prudent with its antibiotic use. | 2003 | 12534821 |
| 5773 | 11 | 0.9998 | LBJMR medium: a new polyvalent culture medium for isolating and selecting vancomycin and colistin-resistant bacteria. BACKGROUND: Multi-drug resistant bacteria are a phenomenon which is on the increase around the world, particularly with the emergence of colistin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and vancomycin-resistant enterococci strains. The recent discovery of a plasmid-mediated colistin resistance with the description of the transferable mcr-1 gene raised concerns about the need for an efficient detection method for these pathogens, to isolate infected patients as early as possible. The LBJMR medium was developed to screen for all polymyxin-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, including mcr-1 positive isolates, and vancomycin-resistant Gram-positive bacteria. RESULTS: The LBJMR medium was developed by adding colistin sulfate salt at a low concentration (4 μg/mL) and vancomycin (50 μg/mL), with glucose (7.5 g/L) as a fermentative substrate, to a Purple Agar Base (31 g/L). A total of 143 bacterial strains were used to evaluate this universal culture medium, and the sensitivity and specificity of detection were 100% for the growth of resistant strains. 68 stool samples were cultured on LBJMR, and both colistin-resistant Gram-negative and vancomycin-resistant Gram-positive strains were specifically detected. CONCLUSIONS: The LBJMR medium is a multipurpose selective medium which makes it possible to identify bacteria of interest from clinical samples and to isolate contaminated patients in hospital settings. This is a simple medium that could be easily used for screening in clinical microbiology laboratories. | 2017 | 29169321 |
| 2040 | 12 | 0.9998 | Multidrug-resistant bacteria as intestinal colonizers and evolution of intestinal colonization in healthy university students in Portugal. Multidrug-resistant bacteria have been increasingly described in healthcare institutions, however community resistance also seems to be emerging. Escherichia coli an intestinal commensal bacteria, is also a pathogen and represents an important intestinal reservoir of resistance. Our aim was the study of the intestinal colonization and of the persistence of antibiotic resistant intestinal bacteria in healthy university students of Porto, in the north of Portugal. Samples from 30 university students were collected and analysed. Two E. coli isolates were randomly obtained from each student and Gram-negative bacilli resistant to antibiotics were studied. In addition, we evaluated changes in the Gram-negative intestinal colonization of ten university students in a short period of time. Molecular characterization showed a high presence of bla (TEM) in commensal E. coli . Gram-negative bacteria with intrinsic and extrinsic resistance were isolated, namely Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacter spp. and Pantoea spp. We isolated three ESBL-producing E. coli from two students. These isolates showed bla (CTX-M) group 1 (n=1), bla (CTX-M) group 9 (n=2), bla (TEM) (n=2), bla (SHV) (n=1) and tetA (n=2) genes. Additionally, they showed specific virulence factors and conjugational transfer of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes. One Pseudomonas spp. isolate resistant to carbapenems was detected colonizing one student. Our results confirm that healthy young adults may be colonized with commensals showing clinically relevant antibiotic resistance mechanisms, creating a risk of silent spread of these bacteria in the community. | 2021 | 33997613 |
| 2255 | 13 | 0.9998 | Diversity and metallo-β-lactamase-producing genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from filters of household water treatment systems. The microbiological quality of drinking water has long been a critical element in public health. Considering the high clinical relevance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, we examined the filters of household water treatment systems for its presence and characteristics to determine the systems' efficiency in eliminating the bacteria. In total, filters of 50 household water treatment systems were examined. Microbiological and molecular methods were used for the detection and confirmation of P. aeruginosa isolates. Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) was performed to detect similarities and differences among P. aeruginosa isolates. Combined disk (CD) method and double disk synergy test (DDST) were performed to detect metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL)-producing P. aeruginosa isolates. Finally, PCR was performed to detect MBL genes in MBL-producing strains. From the 50 analyzed systems, 76 colonies of P. aeruginosa were identified. In some systems, isolated bacteria from different filters harbored similar genetic profiles, indicating that these isolates may be able to pass through the filter and reach higher filters of the system. Phenotypic tests revealed 7 (9.2%) MBL-producing strains. Two isolates were positive for bla(VIM-1), whereas one isolate was positive for bla(NDM) and bla(IMP-1). The wide distribution of resistant phenotypes and genetic plasticity of these bacteria in household water treatment systems indicate that resistance mechanisms circulate among P. aeruginosa isolates in the environment of the filtration systems. The presence of MBL-producing genes in these systems and P. aeruginosa as a potential reservoir of these resistance genes can be a major concern for public health. | 2019 | 30368151 |
| 1696 | 14 | 0.9998 | Assessment of the presence of Acinetobacter spp. resistant to β-lactams in commercial ready-to-eat salad samples. Acinetobacter baumannii is a well-known nosocomial infection causing agent. However, other Acinetobacter spp. have also been implicated in cases of human infection. Additionally, these bacteria are known for the development of antibiotic resistance thus making the treatment of the infections they cause, challenging. Due to their relevance in clinical setups less attention has been paid to their presence in foods, and its relation with infection/dissemination routes. In the current study commercial Ready-To-Eat (RTE) salads were analyzed seeking for antibiotic resistant Acinetobacter spp. A preliminary screening allowed us to recover Gram-negative bacteria resistant to β - lactams using cefotaxime, third generation cephalosporins, as the selective agent, and this was followed by identification with CHROMagar™ Acinetobacter and 16S rDNA sequencing. Finally, the isolates identified as Acinetobacter spp. were reanalyzed by PCR to determine the presence of nine potential Extended Spectrum β Lactamases (ESBL). Two commercial RTE salad brands were included in the study (2 batches per brand and 8 samples of each batch making a total of 32 independent samples), and compared against an organic lettuce. High concentrations of β - lactam, resistant bacteria were found in all the samples tested (5 log CFU/g). Additionally, 209 isolates were phenotypically characterized on CHROMagar Acinetobacter. Finally, PCR analysis identified the presence of different ESBL genes, being positive for blaACC, blaSHV, blaDHA and blaVEB; out of these, blaACC was the most prevalent. None of the isolates screened were positive for more than one gene. To conclude, it is important to highlight the fact that pathogenic species within the genus Acinetobacter spp., other than A. baumannii, have been identified bearing resistance genes not typically associated to these microorganisms highlight the importance of continuous surveillance. | 2024 | 38049272 |
| 2315 | 15 | 0.9998 | The Profile of Bacterial Infections in a Burn Unit during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic Period. Infections represent a major complication for burn-injured patients. The aim of this study was to highlight the changes in the incidence and antimicrobial resistance of bacterial strains isolated from burn patients, at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, in relation to the antibiotics used during the pandemic. A comparative analysis of the demographic data and the microorganisms identified in the clinical samples of two groups of burn patients admitted to a university hospital in Romania was carried out. The first group consisted of 48 patients and the second of 69 patients, hospitalized in January-August 2020 and 2023, respectively. The bacterial species with the highest incidence were S. aureus, A. baumannii, Pseudomonas spp. The significant changes between 2023 and 2020 are reflected in the increase in the frequency of non-fermentative Gram-negative bacteria, especially S. maltophilia, and the increase in antimicrobial resistance of Pseudomonas and Klebsiella spp. Klebsiella spp. did not change in frequency (7%), but there was a significant increase in the incidence of K. pneumoniae strains with pan-drug resistant behaviour to antibiotics (40%), including colistin. The phenomenon can be explained by the selection of specimens carrying multiple resistance genes, as a result of antibiotic treatment during the COVID-19 period. The post-pandemic antimicrobial resistance detected in burn patients indicates the need for permanent surveillance of the resistance trends, primarily due to the limited therapeutic options available for these patients. | 2024 | 39334997 |
| 1702 | 16 | 0.9998 | Molecular Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Resistance of Outbreaks of Klebsiella pneumoniae Clinical Mastitis in Chinese Dairy Farms. Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogen that causes serious infections in humans and animals. However, the availability of epidemiological information on clinical mastitis due to K. pneumoniae is limited. To acquire new information regarding K. pneumoniae mastitis, data were mined about K. pneumoniae strains on dairy cattle farms (farms A to H) in 7 Chinese provinces in 2021. Hypermucoviscous strains of K. pneumoniae were obtained by the string test. MICs of antimicrobial agents were determined via the broth microdilution method. Ten antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence genes were identified by PCR. The prevalence of K. pneumoniae was 35.91% (65/181), and 100% of the bacteria were sensitive to enrofloxacin. Nine antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence genes were identified and compared among farms. The hypermucoviscous phenotype was present in 94.44% of isolates from farm B, which may be a function of the rmpA virulence gene. Based on these data, the multidrug-resistant strains SD-14 and HB-21 were chosen and sequenced. Genotypes were assayed for K. pneumoniae isolates from different countries and different hosts using multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Ninety-four sequence types (STs) were found, and 6 STs present a risk for spreading in specific regions. Interestingly, ST43 was observed in bovine isolates for the first time. Our study partially reveals the current distribution characteristics of bovine K. pneumoniae in China and may provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of bovine K. pneumoniae mastitis. IMPORTANCE K. pneumonia is ubiquitous in nature and infects a wide range of hosts, including animals, and humans. It is one of the leading inducements of clinical mastitis (CM) in dairy cows, a prevalent and costly disease that is predominantly associated with bacterial infection. In general, CM caused by Gram-negative bacteria is more difficult to cure than that associated with Gram-positive pathogens, with an average cost per case of 211.03 U.S. dollars (USD) for Gram-negative bacterial infections compared with 133.73 USD for Gram-positive bacterial CM cases. After Escherichia coli, K. pneumoniae is the second most common Gram-negative cause of bovine CM, but it is the most detrimental in terms of decreased milk yield, discarded milk, treatment costs, death, and culling. In view of the economic implications of K. pneumoniae infection in dairy farming, research into population structure and antibiotic resistance is particularly important. | 2022 | 36374018 |
| 1688 | 17 | 0.9998 | Carriage of colistin-resistant Gram-negative bacteria in children from communities in Cape Town (Tuberculosis child multidrug-resistant preventive therapy trial sub-study). Colistin is a last-resort antibiotic against multidrug-resistant, Gram-negative bacteria. Colistin resistance has been described in the clinical settings in South Africa. However, information on carriage of these bacteria in communities is limited. This study investigated gastrointestinal carriage of colistin-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. and mcr genes in children from communities in Cape Town. Colistin-resistant E. coli was isolated from two participants (4%, 2/50), and mcr-1-mcr-9 genes were not detected. Gastrointestinal carriage of colistin-resistant Enterobacterales was rare; however, continuous extensive surveillance is necessary to determine the extent of carriage and its contribution to resistance observed in clinical settings. | 2021 | 34485500 |
| 5509 | 18 | 0.9998 | Exploring Virulence Characteristics of Clinical Escherichia coli Isolates from Greece. The aim of this study was to examine the genetic characteristics that could be associated with the virulence characteristics of Escherichia coli collected from clinical samples. A collection of 100 non-repetitive E. coli isolates was analyzed. All isolates were typed by MLST. String production, biofilm formation and serum resistance were examined for all isolates. Twenty E. coli isolates were completely sequenced Illumina platform. The results showed that the majority of E. coli isolates (87%) produced significant levels of biofilm, while none of the isolates were positive for string test and resistance to serum. Additionally, the presence of CRISPR/Cas systems (type I-E or I-F) was found in 18% of the isolates. Analysis of WGS data found that all sequenced isolates harbored a variety of virulence genes that could be implicated in adherence, invasion, iron uptake. Also, WGS data confirmed the presence of a wide variety of resistance genes, including ESBL- and carbapenemase-encoding genes. In conclusion, an important percentage (87%) of the E. coli isolates had a significant ability to form biofilm. Biofilms, due to their heterogeneous nature and ability to make microorganisms tolerant to multiple antimicrobials, complicate treatment strategies. Thus, in combination with the presence of multidrug resistance, expression of virulence factors could challenge antimicrobial therapy of infections caused by such bacteria. | 2025 | 40731998 |
| 2304 | 19 | 0.9998 | Antimicrobial consumption and resistance in five Gram-negative bacterial species in a hospital from 2003 to 2011. BACKGROUND: The misuse of antimicrobial agents increases drug resistance in bacteria. METHODS: The correlation between antimicrobial agent consumption and related resistance in the Gram-negative bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus mirabilis was analyzed during the period 2003-2011. RESULTS: Among these five bacteria, overall E. coli and K. pneumoniae were more commonly isolated from bloodstream than the other species. Regarding Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli and K. pneumoniae showed annual increases of resistance to the tested antimicrobial agents; conversely, P. mirabilis exhibited reduced resistance to cefuroxime, ceftriaxone and cefepime. In contrast to the relatively low antimicrobial resistance in P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii revealed high resistance, which was over 85% resistant rate to the tested antimicrobial agents and over 80% carbapenem resistance in 2011. E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and P. mirabilis differed in development of antimicrobial resistance after consumption of the antimicrobial agents. K. pneumoniae developed resistance to all antimicrobial groups, whereas resistance in P. mirabilis was not related to any antimicrobial consumption. P. aeruginosa developed resistance to β-lactam antimicrobials and aminoglycosides, whereas A. baumanii developed resistance to carbapenems after their use. CONCLUSION: The development of antimicrobial resistance was related to antimicrobial agents and bacterial species. | 2015 | 24863496 |