First evidence of blaNDM-1 and blaOXA-23 carbapenemase genes in human body lice infesting a second-hand T-shirt in a street market in Italy. - Related Documents




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170601.0000First evidence of blaNDM-1 and blaOXA-23 carbapenemase genes in human body lice infesting a second-hand T-shirt in a street market in Italy. BACKGROUND: The spread of carbapenems resistance is a public health concern. The main group of carbapenemases encoding the β-lactamases activity (bla genes) is the Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs). METHODS: The presence of carbapenemase blaOXA-23-like, blaOXA-40-like, blaOXA-51-like, blaOXA-58-like, and blaNDM-1 genes was screened by real time PCR in 26 Pediculus humanus insects identified from second-hand clothes in a local market in Central Italy. Bacteria diversity was also characterized through shotgun metagenomic amplification for a deep sequencing of the host-associated bacterial microbiomes. RESULTS: The blaOXA-23 and blaNDM-1 carbapenemases genes were found and metagenomic analysis showed a great presence of Acinetobacter species. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a new potential transmission path for carbapenemase gene spread through bacteria ingested by insects infesting humans.202133797402
171610.9997Detection of clinically important β-lactamases by using PCR. Increasing antimicrobial resistance of nosocomial pathogens is becoming a serious threat to public health. To control the spread of this resistance, it is necessary to detect β-lactamase-producing organisms in the clinical setting. The aims of the study were to design a PCR assay for rapid detection of clinically encountered β-lactamase genes described in Enterobacteriaceae and Gram-negative non-fermenting bacteria. The functionality of proposed primers was verified using eight reference strains and 17 strains from our collection, which contained 29 different β-lactamase genes. PCR products of the test strains were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Sequence analysis was performed using bioinformatics software Geneious. Overall, 67 pairs of primers for detecting 12 members of the class C β-lactamase family, 15 members of class A β-lactamases, six gene families of subclass B1, one member each of subclasses B2, B3 and class D β-lactamases were designed, of which 43 pairs were experimentally tested in vitro. All 29 β-lactamase genes, including 10 oxacillinase subgroups, were correctly identified by PCR. The proposed set of primers should be able to specifically detect 99.7% of analyzed β-lactamase subtypes and more than 79.8% of all described β-lactamase genes.202134100944
170920.9996High prevalence of bla(VIM-1) gene in bacteria from Brazilian soil. This study investigated bacteria from soil samples to (i) determine the main bacterial genera and species having resistance to carbapenem and other β-lactams and (ii) establish if the mechanism of resistance was due to the production of metallo-β-lactamases. The isolates were characterized by PCR for metallo-β-lactamases and integrons, by antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and by sequencing. The antimicrobial profile of 40 imipenem-resistant Gram-positive soil isolates from all Brazilian regions demonstrated that 31 (77.5%) of them were multidrug resistant. Among the 40 isolates, 19 presented the bla(VIM) gene and class 1 integrons by PCR. Six of the 19 isolates were identified as Paenibacillus sp., 12 as Bacillus sp., and just 1 was classified as Staphylococcus sp., by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. These results suggest that bacteria from soil can act as a source of bla(VIM-1) genes, representing a threat to public health.201627392282
100030.9996Development and evaluation of a sensitive approach for detection and recovery of third-generation cephalosporin- and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales from ready-to-eat frozen stone fruit. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health threat, but the role of foods in its dissemination is poorly understood. We examined the incidence of foodborne bacteria carrying AMR genes considered high-priority research targets by the World Health Organization. Frozen, ready-to-eat, avocado, coconut, mango, and peach (n = 161) were tested for bacteria encoding extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and carbapenemases. Over 600 presumptive-positive isolates were recovered and analyzed with a pooled sequencing (Pool-seq) strategy. Coconut samples exhibited the highest bacterial loads and prevalence/diversity of AMR genes. Isolates harbouring the β-lactamase genes bla(ctx-m), bla(tem), and bla(shv), identified in 14 coconut and 2 mango samples, were further characterized by whole-genome sequencing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The most common gene was bla(ctx-m-15), detected in 20 unique strains. Two carbapenemase-producing strains were isolated from coconut: Enterobacter roggenkampii encoding bla(ndm-1) and Escherichia coli encoding bla(ndm-5). Subsequent quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis of enrichments for bla(ctx-m)/bla(ndm) indicated a potentially higher prevalence of these genes than observed by colony screening. This study presents a practical method for recovering ESBL- and carbapenemase-producing bacteria from foods. Mapping their distribution in food products is crucial to assessing the role of foods in the global spread of AMR and developing effective public health interventions.202539999428
221840.9996Comparison of in-house and commercial real time-PCR based carbapenemase gene detection methods in Enterobacteriaceae and non-fermenting gram-negative bacterial isolates. BACKGROUND: Carbapenemase-producing gram-negative bacteria are increasing globally and have been associated with outbreaks in hospital settings. Thus, the accurate detection of these bacteria in infections is mandatory for administering the adequate therapy and infection control measures. This study aimed to establish and evaluate a multiplex real-time PCR assay for the simultaneous detection of carbapenemase gene variants in gram-negative rods and to compare the performance with a commercial RT-PCR assay (Check-Direct CPE). METHODS: 116 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii isolates were genotyped for carbapenemase genes by PCR and sequencing. The defined isolates were used for the validation of the in-house RT-PCR by use of designed primer pairs and probes. RESULTS: Among the carbapenem-resistant isolates the genes bla (KPC), bla (VIM), bla (NDM) or bla (OXA) were detected. Both RT-PCR assays detected all bla (KPC), bla (VIM) and bla (NDM) in the isolates. The in-house RT-PCR detected 53 of 67 (79.0%) whereas the commercial assay detected only 29 (43.3%) of the OXA genes. The in-house sufficiently distinguished the most prevalent OXA types (23-like and 48-like) in the melting curve analysis and direct detection of the genes from positive blood culture vials. CONCLUSION: The Check-Direct CPE and the in-house RT-PCR assay detected the carbapenem resistance from solid culture isolates. Moreover, the in-house assay enabled the identification of carbapenemase genes directly from positive blood-culture vials. However, we observed insufficient detection of various OXA genes in both assays. Nevertheless, the in-house RT-PCR detected the majority of the OXA type genes in Enterobacteriaceae and A. baumannii.201728693493
182250.9996Carriage of two carbapenem-resistance genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from hospital-acquired infections in children from Costa Rica: the importance of local epidemiology. BACKGROUND: The assessment of Hospital-acquired infections due to multidrug-resistant bacteria involves the use of a variety of commercial and laboratory-developed tests to detect antimicrobial resistance genes in bacterial pathogens; however, few are evaluated for use in low- and middle-income countries. METHODS: We used whole-genome sequencing, rapid commercial molecular tests, laboratory-developed tests and routine culture testing. RESULTS: We identified the carriage of the metallo-β-lactamase bla(VIM-2) and bla(IMP-18) alleles in Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections among children in Costa Rica. CONCLUSIONS: The bla(IMP-18) allele is not present in the most frequently used commercial tests; thus, it is possible that the circulation of this resistance gene may be underdiagnosed in Costa Rica.202133910633
103760.9996Genetic Background of β-Lactamases in Enterobacteriaceae Isolates from Environmental Samples. The prevalence of β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae has increased worldwide. Although antibiotic-resistant bacteria are usually associated with hospitals, there are a growing number of reports of resistant bacteria in other environments. Concern about resistant microorganisms outside the hospital setting highlights the need to investigate mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in isolates collected from the environment. The present study evaluated the resistance mechanism to β-lactam antibiotics in 40 isolates from hospital sewage and surface water from the Dilúvio Stream, Porto Alegre City, Southern Brazil. The multiplex PCR technique was used to detect several resistance genes of β-lactamases: extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), carbapenemases, and β-lactamase AmpC. After genes, detection amplicons were sequenced to confirm their identification. The clonal relationship was established by DNA macrorestriction using the XbaI enzyme, followed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The results indicated that resistance genes were present in 85% of the isolates. The most prevalent genes encoded narrow-spectrum β-lactamase, such as TEM-1 and SHV-1 with 70% of the strains, followed by carbapenemase KPC and GES (45%), ESBL types SHV-5 and CTX-M-8 (27.5%), and AmpC (ACT-1/MIR-1) (2.5%). Twelve isolates contained only one resistance gene, 14 contained two, and eight isolates had three resistance genes. PFGE indicated a clonal relationship among K. pneumoniae isolates. It was not possible to establish a clonal relationship between Enterobacter sp. isolates. The results highlight the potential of these resistance genes to spread in the polluted environment and to present a health risk to communities. This report is the first description of these resistance genes present in environmental samples other than a hospital in the city of Porto Alegre/RS.201728378066
170870.9996High-level of resistance to β-lactam and presence of β-lactamases encoding genes in Ochrobactrum sp. and Achromobacter sp. isolated from soil. OBJECTIVES: Bacteria belonging to the genera Ochrobactrum and Achromobacter are bacteria considered opportunistic, causing infections mainly in immunocompromised patients. β-lactamases are the main cause of resistance to β-lactam antibiotics. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial resistance profile and the presence of β-lactamases encoding genes in Ochrobactrum sp. and Achromobacter sp. isolated from Brazilian soils. METHODS: Soil samples from the five regions of Brazil were collected for the isolation of bacteria, which were identified molecularly and then, the minimum inhibitory concentration and detection of β-lactamases encoding genes were performed. RESULTS: High-level of resistance to β-lactam antibiotics and different β-lactamases encoding genes were found (bla(CTX-M-Gp1), bla(SHV), bla(OXA-1-like) and bla(KPC)), including the first report of the presence of bla(KPC) in bacteria belonging to the genera Ochrobactrum and Achromobacter. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the bacteria from this study, belonging to genera Ochrobactrum and Achromobacter isolated from soil, harbor different β-lactamases encoding genes and can act as a reservoir of these genes.201729111479
225180.9996Direct-PCR from rectal swabs and environmental reservoirs: A fast and efficient alternative to detect bla(OXA-48) carbapenemase genes in an Enterobacter cloacae outbreak setting. Carbapenemase-producing bacteria are a risk factor in clinical settings worldwide. The aim of the study was to accelerate the time to results during an outbreak situation with bla(OXA-48)-positive Enterobacter cloacae by using a real-time multiplex quantitative PCR (qPCR) directly on rectal swab specimens and on wastewater samples to detect carbapenemase-producing bacteria. Thus, we analyzed 681 rectal swabs and 947 environmental samples during a five-month period by qPCR and compared the results to culture screening. The qPCR showed a sensitivity of 100% by testing directly from rectal swabs and was in ten cases more sensitive than the culture-based methods. Environmental screening for bla(OXA-48)-carbapenemase genes by qPCR revealed reservoirs of different carbapenemase genes that are potential sources of transmission and might lead to new outbreaks. The rapid identification of patients colonized with those isolates and screening of the hospital environment is essential for earlier patient treatment and eliminating potential sources of nosocomial infections.202234343553
169290.9996Phenotypic and genotypic detection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in fresh fruit juices from a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro. Gram-negative bacteria are worrisome because they are becoming resistant to many antibiotic available options, mainly in hospital environment. Several studies have noted the presence of bacteria producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase, with the presence of antibiotic-resistance genes in fresh vegetables and fruits. This study aimed to detect the presence of phenotypic and genotypic resistance in eight samples of fresh fruit juices served to patients admitted to a hospital in Rio de Janeiro. The growth of microorganisms on MacConkey and XLD agar was carried out to obtain a "pool" of Gram-negative bacteria. The disk diffusion test and the polymerase chain reaction were performed to detect the phenotypic and genotypic resistance of Gram-negative bacteria to the tested antibiotics. The multidrug resistance was detected in all samples and the shv, tem, ctx, tetA, tetB and oxa- 48 genes were found in the samples, including the presence of class 2 and 3 integrons. We can conclude that the selection methodology allows the detection of a greater number of genes and this found warns about the risk of making these foods available to patients in hospitals.202133398401
1676100.9996Evaluation of carbapenem resistance using phenotypic and genotypic techniques in Enterobacteriaceae isolates. BACKGROUND: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is increasing worldwide. Antibiotic-resistant strains can lead to serious problems regarding treatment of infection. Carbapenem antibiotics are the final treatment option for infections caused by serious and life-threatening multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria. Therefore, an understanding of carbapenem resistance is important for infection control. In the study described herein, the phenotypic and genotypic features of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae strains isolated in our hospital were evaluated. METHODS: In total, 43 carbapenem-resistant strains were included in this study. Sensitivity to antibiotics was determined using the VITEK(®)2 system. The modified Hodge test (MHT) and metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) antimicrobial gradient test were performed for phenotypic identification. Resistance genes IMP, VIM, KPC, NDM-1, and OXA-48 were amplified by multiplex PCR. RESULTS: The OXA-48 gene was detected in seven strains, and the NDM-1 gene in one strain. No resistance genes were detected in the remainder of strains. A significant correlation was observed between the MHT test and OXA-48 positivity, and between the MBL antimicrobial gradient test and positivity for resistance genes (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The finding of one NDM-1-positive isolate in this study indicates that carbapenem resistance is spreading in Turkey. Carbapenem resistance spreads rapidly and causes challenges in treatment, and results in high mortality/morbidity rates. Therefore, is necessary to determine carbapenem resistance in Enterobacteriaceae isolates and to take essential infection control precautions to avoid spread of this resistance.201526444537
2758110.9996Identification of novel OXA-134-like β-lactamases in Acinetobacter lwoffii and Acinetobacter schindleri isolated from chicken litter. BACKGROUND: Various food-producing animals have been recognized in recent years as a potential reservoir for the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria that may pose a risk to human health and therefore their dissemination in the food production chain needs to be assessed. METHODS: In this study, 450 boot swabs from chicken farms were analyzed for the presence of antimicrobial resistance with a focus on β-lactams resistance in Acinetobacter species. RESULTS: Two β-lactamase-encoding genes were first time identified in Acinetobacter lwoffii and Acinetobacter schindleri isolates. The deduced amino acid sequence of OXA-496 shared 93.8% identity with OXA-363. The second OXA-134-like enzyme, OXA-537, had the highest sequence identity (97.8%) with OXA-235 and OXA-237. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study illustrate the occurrence of new OXA-134-like β-lactamases, called OXA-496 and OXA-537, carrying strains of Acinetobacter lwoffii and Acinetobacter schindleri in chicken farm litter, and highlight the possible role of Acinetobacter as a reservoir of resistance genes.201930150791
888120.9996Identification of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase 1 in Acinetobacter lwoffii of food animal origin. BACKGROUND: To investigate the presence of metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) genes and the genetic environment of the New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase gene bla(NDM-1) in bacteria of food animal origin. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Gram-negative bacteria with low susceptibility to imipenem (MIC>8 µg/mL) were isolated from swab samples collected from 15 animal farms and one slaughterhouse in eastern China. These bacteria were selected for phenotypic and molecular detection of known MBL genes and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. For the bla(NDM-1) positive isolate, conjugation and transformation experiments were carried out to assess plasmid transfer. Southern blotting was conducted to localize the bla(NDM-1) genes, and DNA sequencing was performed to determine the sequences of bla(NDM-1) and the flanking genes. In total, nine gram-negative bacteria of four different species presented a MBL phenotype. bla(NDM-1) was identified on a mobile plasmid named pAL-01 in an Acinetobacter lwoffii isolate of chicken origin. Transfer of pAL-01 from this isolate to E. coli J53 and JM109 resulted in resistance to multiple β-lactams. Sequence analysis revealed that the bla(NDM-1) gene is attached to an intact insertion element ISAba125, whose right inverted repeat (IR-R) overlaps with the promoter sequence of bla(NDM-1). Thus, insertion of ISAba125 likely enhances the expression of bla(NDM-1). CONCLUSION: The identification of a bla(NDM-1)- carrying strain of A. lwoffii in chickens suggests the potential for zoonotic transmission of bla(NDM-1) and has important implications for food safety.201222629360
879130.9996Detection of New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase enzyme gene bla (NDM-1) associated with the Int-1 gene in Gram-negative bacteria collected from the effluent treatment plant of a tuberculosis care hospital in Delhi, India. BACKGROUND: Organisms possessing the bla (NDM-1) gene (responsible for carbapenem resistance) with a class-1 integron can acquire many other antibiotic resistance genes from the community sewage pool and become multidrug-resistant superbugs. In this regard, hospital sewage, which contains a large quantity of residual antibiotics, metals and disinfectants, is being recognized as a significant cause of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) origination and spread across the major centres of the world and is thus routinely investigated as a marker for tracing the origin of drug resistance. Therefore, in this study, an attempt has been made to identify and characterize the carbapenem-resistant microbes associated with integron genes amongst the organisms isolated from the effluent treatment plant (ETP) installed in a tertiary respiratory care hospital in Delhi, India. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-eight organisms belonging to Escherichia , Klebsiella , Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter spp. were collected from the incoming and outgoing sewage lines of the ETP. Carbapenem sensitivity and characterization was performed by the imipenem and imipenem-EDTA disc diffusion method. Later DNA extraction and PCR steps were performed for the Int-1 and bla (NDM-1) genes. RESULTS: Of the 138 organisms, 86 (62.3 %) were imipenem-resistant (P<0.05). One hundred and twenty-four (89.9 %) organisms had one or both of the genes. Overall, the bla (NDM-1) gene (genotypic resistance) was present in 71 % (98/138) of organisms. 53.6 % (74/138) organisms were double gene-positive (bla (NDM-1) + Int-1), of which 40 were producing the metallo-beta-lactamase enzyme, making up almost 28.9 % (40/138) of the collected organisms. CONCLUSION: The current study strengthens the hypothesis that Carbapenem resistant organisms are in a high-circulation burden through the human gut and hospital ETPs are providing an environment for resistance origination and amplification.202032974589
866140.9996Opening Pandora's box: High-level resistance to antibiotics of last resort in Gram-negative bacteria from Nigeria. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the percentage of antimicrobial-resistant isolates and the associated resistance mechanisms in Gram-negative bacteria from South Western Nigeria. METHODS: A total of 306 non-duplicate unbiased Gram-negative isolates were recovered from patients admitted to three teaching hospitals in South Western Nigeria in 2011 and 2013. Isolates were from clinical samples as well as from stool samples of inpatients without infection to assess antimicrobial resistance patterns in carriage isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed, and PCR and sequencing were used to identify genes encoding various known β-lactamases. Based on phenotypic and genotypic results, 10 isolates representing the diversity of phenotypes present were selected for whole-genome sequencing (WGS). RESULTS: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed the following resistance rates: fluoroquinolones, 78.1%; third-generation cephalosporins, 92.2%; and carbapenems, 52.6%. More resistant isolates were isolated from stools of uninfected patients compared with clinical infection specimens. Klebsiella (10%) and Escherichia coli (7%) isolates produced a carbapenemase. WGS of selected isolates identified the presence of globally disseminated clones. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates a crisis for the use of first-line antimicrobial therapy in Nigerian patients. It is likely that Nigeria is playing a significant role in the spread of antimicrobial resistance owing to its large population with considerable global mobility.202031654790
1947150.9996Search for carbapenem-resistant bacteria and carbapenem resistance genes along swine food chains in Central Italy. The presence of carbapenem-resistant bacteria and carbapenem resistance genes (CRGs) in livestock is increasing. To evaluate the presence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) and the main CRGs along swine food chains of the Marche Region (Central Italy), samples of faeces, feed, and animal-food derived products were collected from seven small/medium, medium, and large-scale pig farms. A total of 191 samples were analysed using a culture-dependent method, with the aim of isolating CPE. Isolates were analysed for their resistance to carbapenems using a modified Hodge test and the microdilution method for the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination. Moreover, the extraction of microbial DNA from each sample was performed to directly detect selected CRGs via qPCR. Among the 164 presumptive resistant isolates, only one strain from a liver sample, identified as Aeromonas veronii, had an ertapenem MIC of 256 μg/mL and carried a carbapenemase- (cphA) and a β-lactamase- (blaOXA-12) encoding genes. A low incidence of CRGs was found; only nine and four faecal samples tested positive for blaNDM-1 and blaOXA-48, respectively. Overall, the importance of monitoring CPE and CRGs in livestock and their food chains should be stressed to control all potential non-human CPE and CRGs reservoirs and to determine safety levels for human health.202438181018
927160.9996Prevalence of carbapenemase-producing organisms at the Kidney Center of Rawalpindi (Pakistan) and evaluation of an advanced molecular microarray-based carbapenemase assay. AIM: A DNA microarray-based assay for the detection of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes was used to study carbapenemase-producing organisms at the Kidney Center of Rawalpindi, Pakistan. METHODS: The evaluation of this assay was performed using 97 reference strains with confirmed AMR genes. Testing of 7857 clinical samples identified 425 Gram-negative bacteria out of which 82 appeared carbapenem resistant. These isolates were analyzed using VITEK-2 for phenotyping and the described AMR assay for genotyping. RESULTS: The most prevalent carbapenemase gene was blaNDM and in 12 isolates we detected two carbapenemase genes (e.g., blaNDM/blaOXA-48). CONCLUSION: Our prevalence data from Pakistan show that - as in other parts of the world - carbapenemase-producing organisms with different underlying resistance mechanisms are emerging, and this warrants intensified and constant surveillance.201829938540
1647170.9996Genomic and antimicrobial resistance genes diversity in multidrug-resistant CTX-M-positive isolates of Escherichia coli at a health care facility in Jeddah. BACKGROUND: Whole genome sequencing has revolutionized epidemiological investigations of multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria worldwide. Aim of this study was to perform comprehensive characterization of ESBL-positive isolates of Escherichia coli obtained from clinical samples at the King Abdulaziz University Hospital utilizing whole genome sequencing. METHODS: Isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Genome sequencing was performed using a paired-end strategy on the MiSeq platform. RESULTS: Nineteen isolates were clustered into different clades in a phylogenetic tree based on single nucleotide polymorphisms in core genomes. Seventeen sequence types were identified in the extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-positive isolates, and 11 subtypes were identified based on distinct types of fimH alleles. Forty-one acquired resistance genes were found in the 19 genomes. The bla(CTX-M-15) gene, which encodes ESBL, was found in 15 isolates and was the most predominant resistance gene. Other antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) found in the isolates were associated with resistance to tetracycline (tetA), aminoglycoside [aph(3″)-Ib, and aph(6)-Id], and sulfonamide (sul1, and sul2). Nonsynonymous chromosomal mutations in the housekeeping genes parC and gyrA were commonly found in several genomes. CONCLUSION: Several other ARGs were found in CTX-M-positive E. coli isolates confer resistance to clinically important antibiotics used to treat infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria.202031279801
1829180.9996Environmental surveillance of ESBL and carbapenemase-producing gram-negative bacteria in a Ghanaian Tertiary Hospital. BACKGROUND: The burden of antibiotic resistant infection is mainly felt in low-to-middle income countries, where the rate of antimicrobial resistance is largely under-surveyed and under huge pressure from unregulated, disparate and often self-guided access to antimicrobials. Nosocomial infections from hospital environments have been shown to be a particularly prevalent source of multi-drug resistant strains, yet surveillance of hospital environmental contamination is often not investigated. METHODS: The study was prospective, observational and cross-sectional, sampling 231 high and low touch surfaces from 15th March to 13th April 2021, from five wards in the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Ghana. Microbial growth in the presence of vancomycin and either meropenem or cefotaxime was examined and bacterial species were identified by MALDI-TOF. The presence of common extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemase antimicrobial resistance genes (ARG) were identified through PCR screening, which were confirmed by phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility determination. Isolates positive for carbapenem resistance genes were sequenced using a multi-platform approach. RESULTS: We recovered microbial growth from 99% of swabs (n = 229/231) plated on agar in the absence of antimicrobials. Multiple sites were found to be colonised with resistant bacteria throughout the hospital setting. Bacteria with multi-drug resistance and ARG of concern were isolated from high and low touch points with evidence of strain dissemination throughout the environment. A total of 21 differing species of bacteria carrying ARG were isolated. The high prevalence of Acinetobacter baumannii carrying bla(NDM-1) observed was further characterised by whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis to determine the relationship between resistant strains found in different wards. CONCLUSION: Evidence of multiple clonal incursions of MDR bacteria of high sepsis risk were found in two separate wards for a regional hospital in Ghana. The prevalence of multiple bla(NDM) carrying species in combination with combinations of ESBLs was particularly concerning and unexpected in Africa. We also identify strains carrying tet(X3), bla(VIM-5) or bla(DIM-1) showing a high diversity of carbapenamases present as a reservoir in a hospital setting. Findings of multi-drug resistant bacteria from multiple environmental sites throughout the hospital will inform future IPC practices and aid research prioritisation for AMR in Ghana.202235296353
1710190.9996Carbapenem resistance in bacteria isolated from soil and water environments in Algeria. OBJECTIVES: Recent research has demonstrated that natural populations of bacteria carry large numbers of mobile genetic elements that may harbour antibiotic resistance determinants. This study aimed to investigate carbapenem resistance in Gram-negative bacteria isolated from natural environments in Béjaïa (Algeria) and to determine the horizontal gene transfer potential of a subset of these antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). METHODS: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria were isolated and the host was identified using MALDI-TOF/MS and 16S rRNA sequencing. ARG carriage was investigated by the double-disk synergy test, metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) production test and PCR screening for carbapenemase genes. Conjugation experiments were performed to determine potential ARG mobility. To identify ARGs, genomic libraries were constructed and functionally screened and inserts were sequenced. RESULTS: A total of 62 antibiotic-resistant strains isolated from soil and water samples were classified as belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Xanthomonadaceae and Aeromonadaceae families. Four highly imipenem-resistant (MIC>64μg/mL) and cefotaxime-resistant (MIC>8μg/mL) clinically-relevant strains were selected for further characterisation. All four strains produced extended-spectrum β-lactamases, but MBL production was not confirmed. Imipenem and cefotaxime resistance was transferable to Escherichia coli but was not conferred by bla(AmpC), bla(IMP), bla(NDM), bla(KPC), bla(OXA-48) or bla(GES) genes. Novel putative resistance mechanisms were identified, including a novel DHA β-lactamase conferring clinical resistance to cefotaxime. CONCLUSIONS: The environment is a reservoir of carbapenem-resistant bacteria. Further investigation of the evolution and dissemination of antibiotic resistance in environmental bacteria is required in order to understand and prevent the emergence of resistance in the clinical environment.201830071355