Detection of the aminoglycosidestreptothricin resistance gene cluster ant(6)-sat4-aph(3 ')-III in commensal viridans group streptococci. - Related Documents




#
Rank
Similarity
Title + Abs.
Year
PMID
012345
541101.0000Detection of the aminoglycosidestreptothricin resistance gene cluster ant(6)-sat4-aph(3 ')-III in commensal viridans group streptococci. High-level aminoglycoside resistance was assessed in 190 commensal erythromycin-resistant alpha-hemolytic streptococcal strains. Of these, seven were also aminoglycoside-resistant: one Streptococcus mitis strain was resistant to high levels of kanamycin and carried the aph(3 ')-III gene, four S. mitis strains were resistant to high levels of streptomycin and lacked aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes, and two S. oralis strains that were resistant to high levels of kanamycin and streptomycin harbored both the aph(3 ')-III and the ant(6) genes. The two S. oralis strains also carried the ant(6)-sat4- aph(3 ' ')-III aminoglycoside-streptothricin resistance gene cluster, but it was not contained in a Tn5405-like structure. The presence of this resistance gene cluster in commensal streptococci suggests an exchange of resistance genes between these bacteria and enterococci or staphylococci.200717407061
541210.9997Molecular basis of resistance to macrolides and other antibiotics in commensal viridans group streptococci and Gemella spp. and transfer of resistance genes to Streptococcus pneumoniae. We assessed the mechanisms of resistance to macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLS(B)) antibiotics and related antibiotics in erythromycin-resistant viridans group streptococci (n = 164) and Gemella spp. (n = 28). The macrolide resistance phenotype was predominant (59.38%); all isolates with this phenotype carried the mef(A) or mef(E) gene, with mef(E) being predominant (95.36%). The erm(B) gene was always detected in strains with constitutive and inducible MLS(B) resistance and was combined with the mef(A/E) gene in 47.44% of isolates. None of the isolates carried the erm(A) subclass erm(TR), erm(A), or erm(C) genes. The mel gene was detected in all but four strains carrying the mef(A/E) gene. The tet(M) gene was found in 86.90% of tetracycline-resistant isolates and was strongly associated with the presence of the erm(B) gene. The cat(pC194) gene was detected in seven chloramphenicol-resistant Streptococcus mitis isolates, and the aph(3')-III gene was detected in four viridans group streptococcal isolates with high-level kanamycin resistance. The intTn gene was found in all isolates with the erm(B), tet(M), aph(3')-III, and cat(pC194) gene. The mef(E) and mel genes were successfully transferred from both groups of bacteria to Streptococcus pneumoniae R6 by transformation. Viridans group streptococci and Gemella spp. seem to be important reservoirs of resistance genes.200415328112
595720.9997ant(6)-I Genes Encoding Aminoglycoside O-Nucleotidyltransferases Are Widely Spread Among Streptomycin Resistant Strains of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli. Thermotolerant Campylobacter species C. jejuni and C. coli are actually recognized as the major bacterial agent responsible for food-transmitted gastroenteritis. The most effective antimicrobials against Campylobacter are macrolides and some, but not all aminoglycosides. Among these, susceptibility to streptomycin is reduced by mutations in the ribosomal RPSL protein or by expression of ANT(6)-I aminoglycoside O-nucleotidyltransferases. The presence of streptomycin resistance genes was evaluated among streptomycin-resistant Campylobacter isolated from humans and animals by using PCR with degenerated primers devised to distinguish ant(6)-Ia, ant(6)-Ib and other ant-like genes. Genes encoding ANT(6)-I enzymes were found in all possible combinations with a major fraction of the isolates carrying a previously described ant-like gene, distantly related and belonging to the new ant(6)-I sub-family ant(6)-Ie. Among Campylobacter isolates, ant(6)-Ie was uniquely found functional in C. coli, as shown by gene transfer and phenotype expression in Escherichia coli, unlike detected coding sequences in C. jejuni that were truncated by an internal frame shift associated to RPSL mutations in streptomycin resistant strains. The genetic relationships of C. coli isolates with ANT(6)-Ie revealed one cluster of strains presented in bovine and humans, suggesting a circulation pathway of Campylobacter strains by consuming contaminated calf meat by bacteria expressing this streptomycin resistance element.201830405573
585330.9997Identification of the tet(B) resistance gene in Streptococcus suis. The tetracycline resistance gene, tet(B), has been described previously in gram negative bacteria. In this study tet(B) was detected in plasmid extracts from 17/111 (15%) Streptococcus suis isolates from diseased pigs, representing the first report of this resistance gene in gram positive bacteria.201120696603
599740.9997Resistance of potential probiotic lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria of African and European origin to antimicrobials: determination and transferability of the resistance genes to other bacteria. Probiotic bacteria and starter cultures of Lactobacillus, Weissella and Bifidobacterium of African and European origins were studied and compared for their susceptibility to antimicrobials. The study included, for all isolates, determination of MICs (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration) for 24 antimicrobials, detection of resistance genes by PCR reactions using specific primers and sequencing of positive amplicons. The ability of Lb. reuteri from Africa to transfer the erythromycin resistance gene erm(B) to closely related bacteria was investigated by conjugation. Variations were observed and high levels of intrinsic resistance were found among the tested species. Positive amplicons were obtained for resistance genes encoding aminoglycoside (aph(3')-III, aadA, aadE) and tetracycline (tet(S)) from isolates from Europe and macrolide (erm(B)) from an isolate from Africa. However, only the erm(B) gene found in Lb. reuteri L4: 12002 from Africa contained a homologous sequence to previously published sequences. This gene could be transferred in vitro to enterococci. Higher prevalence of phenotypic resistance for aminoglycoside was found in isolates from Europe.200818063151
584950.9997Characterisation and molecular cloning of the novel macrolide-streptogramin B resistance determinant from Staphylococcus epidermidis. A total of 110 staphylococcal isolates from human skin were found to express a novel type of erythromycin resistance. The bacteria were resistant to 14-membered ring macrolides (MIC 32-128 mg/l) but were sensitive to 16-membered ring macrolides and lincosamides. Resistance to type B streptogramins was inducible by erythromycin. A similar phenotype, designated MS resistance, was previously described in clinical isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci from the USA. In the UK, MS resistance is widely distributed in coagulase-negative staphylococci but was not detected in 100 erythromycin resistant clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. Tests for susceptibility to a further 16 antibiotics failed to reveal any other selectable marker associated with the MS phenotype. Plasmid pattern analysis of 48 MS isolates showed considerable variability between strains and no common locus for the resistance determinant. In one strain of S. epidermidis co-resistance to tetracycline, penicillin and erythromycin (MS) was associated with a 31.5 kb plasmid, pUL5050 which replicated and expressed all three resistances when transformed into S. aureus RN4220. The MS resistance determinant was localised to a 1.9 kb fragment which was cloned on to the high-copy-number vector, pSK265. A constitutive mutant of S. aureus RN4220 containing the 1.9 kb fragment remained sensitive to clindamycin. This observation, together with the concentration-dependent induction (optimum 5 mg/l of erythromycin) of virginiamycin S resistance suggests that the MS phenotype is not due to altered expression of MLS resistance determinants (erm genes) but probably occurs via a different mechanism.19892559912
590260.9997Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua Isolated from Ready-to-Eat Products of Animal Origin in Spain. The objective of this work was to investigate the antimicrobial resistance in Listeria spp. isolated from food of animal origin. A total of 50 Listeria strains isolated from meat and dairy products, consisting of 7 Listeria monocytogenes and 43 Listeria innocua strains, were characterized for antimicrobial susceptibility against nine antimicrobials. The strains were screened by real-time PCR for the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes: tet M, tet L, mef A, msr A, erm A, erm B, lnu A, and lnu B. Multidrug resistance was identified in 27 Listeria strains, 4 belonging to L. monocytogenes. Resistance to clindamycin was the most common resistance phenotype and was identified in 45 Listeria strains; the mechanisms of resistance are still unknown. A medium prevalence of resistance to tetracycline (15 and 9 resistant and intermediate strains) and ciprofloxacin (13 resistant strains) was also found. Tet M was detected in Listeria strains with reduced susceptibility to tetracycline, providing evidence that both L. innocua and L. monocytogenes displayed acquired resistance. The presence of antimicrobial resistance genes in L. innocua and L. monocytogenes indicates that these genes may be transferred to commensal and pathogenic bacteria via the food chain; besides this, antibiotic resistance in L. monocytogenes could compromise the effective treatment of listeriosis in humans.201728355096
244070.9997Molecular basis of resistance to macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramins in Staphylococcus hominis strains isolated from clinical specimens. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are the most frequently isolated bacteria from the blood and the predominant cause of nosocomial infections. Macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramin B (MLSB) antibiotics, especially erythromycin and clindamycin, are important therapeutic agents in the treatment of methicillin-resistant staphylococci infections. Among CoNS, Staphylococcus hominis represents the third most common organism. In spite of its clinical significance, very little is known about its mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics, especially MLSB. Fifty-five S. hominis isolates from the blood and the surgical wounds of hospitalized patients were studied. The erm(C) gene was predominant in erythromycin-resistant S. hominis isolates. The methylase genes, erm(A) and erm(B), were present in 15 and 25% of clinical isolates, respectively. A combination of various erythromycin resistance methylase (erm) genes was detected in 15% S. hominis isolates. The efflux gene msr(A) was detected in 18% of isolates, alone in four isolates, and in different combinations in a further six. The lnu(A) gene, responsible for enzymatic inactivation of lincosamides was carried by 31% of the isolates. No erythromycin resistance that could not be attributed to the genes erm(A), erm(B), erm(C) and msr(A) was detected. In S. hominis, 75 and 84%, respectively, were erythromycin resistant and clindamycin susceptible. Among erythromycin-resistant S. hominis isolates, 68% of these strains showed the inducible MLSB phenotype. Four isolates harbouring the msr(A) genes alone displayed the MSB phenotype. These studies indicated that resistance to MLSB in S. hominis is mostly based on the ribosomal target modification mechanism mediated by erm genes, mainly the erm(C), and enzymatic drug inactivation mediated by lnu(A).201626253583
243980.9996Differences in distribution of MLS antibiotics resistance genes in clinical isolates of staphylococci belonging to species: S. epidermidis, S. hominis, S. haemolyticus, S. simulans and S. warneri. BACKGROUND: Macrolides and lincosamides are two leading types of antibiotics commonly used in therapies. The study examines the differences in resistance to these antibiotics and their molecular bases in S. epidermidis as well as in rarely isolated species of coagulase-negative staphylococci such as S. hominis, S. haemolyticus, S. warneri and S. simulans. The isolates were tested for the presence of the erm(A), erm(B), erm(C), lnu(A), msr(A), msr(B), mph(C), ere(A) and ere(B) genes. Phenotypic resistance to methicillin and mecA presence were also determined. RESULTS: The MLS(B) resistance mechanism was phenotypically found in isolates of species included in the study. The most prevalent MLS(B) resistance mechanism was observed in S. hominis, S. haemolyticus and S. epidermidis isolates mainly of the MLS(B) resistance constitutive type. Macrolide, lincosamide and streptogramin B resistance genes were rarely detected in isolates individually. The erm(B), ere(A) and ere(B) genes were not found in any of the strains. The erm(A) gene was determined only in four strains of S. epidermidis and S. hominis while lnu(A) was seen in eight strains (mainly in S. hominis). The erm(C) gene was present in most of S. epidermidis strains and predominant in S. hominis and S. simulans isolates. The examined species clearly differed between one another in the repertoire of accumulated genes. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of genes encoding the MLS(B) resistance among CoNS strains demonstrates these genes' widespread prevalence and accumulation in opportunistic pathogens that might become gene reservoir for bacteria with superior pathogenic potential.201931182020
200990.9996Aminoglycoside resistance genes aph(2")-Ib and aac(6')-Im detected together in strains of both Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecium. Escherichia coli SCH92111602 expresses an aminoglycoside resistance profile similar to that conferred by the aac(6')-Ie-aph(2")-Ia gene found in gram-positive cocci and was found to contain the aminoglycoside resistance genes aph(2")-Ib and aac(6')-Im (only 44 nucleotides apart). aph(2")-Ib had been reported previously in Enterococcus faecium SF11770. aac(6')-Im had not been detected previously in enterococci and was found to be present also 44 nucleotides downstream from aph(2")-Ib in E. faecium SF11770. aph(2")-Ib and aac(6')-Im are separate open reading frames, each with its own putative ribosome binding site, whereas aac(6')-Ie-aph(2")-Ia appears to be a fusion of two genes with just one start and one stop codon. The deduced AAC(6')-Im protein exhibits 56% identity and 80% similarity to the AAC(6')-Ie domain of the bifunctional enzyme AAC(6')-APH(2"). Our results document the existence of a member of the aph(2") family of genes in gram-negative bacteria and provide evidence suggesting the horizontal transfer of aph(2")-Ib and aac(6')-Im as a unit between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.200111557456
5996100.9996Molecular characterization of intrinsic and acquired antibiotic resistance in lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 6 different antibiotics (chloramphenicol, clindamycin, erythromycin, streptomycin, tetracycline and vancomycin) were determined for 143 strains of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria using the Etest. Different MICs were found for different species and strains. Based on the distribution of these MIC values, most of the strains were either susceptible or intrinsically resistant to these antibiotics. However, the MIC range of some of these antibiotics showed a bimodal distribution, which suggested that some of the tested strains possess acquired antibiotic resistance. Screening for resistance genes was performed by PCR using specific primers, or using a DNA microarray with around 300 nucleotide probes representing 7 classes of antibiotic resistance genes. The genes identified encoded resistance to tetracycline [tet(M), tet(W), tet(O) and tet(O/W)], erythromycin and clindamycin [erm(B)] and streptomycin [aph(E) and sat(3)]. Internal portions of some of these determinants were sequenced and found to be identical to genes described in other bacteria. All resistance determinants were located on the bacterial chromosome, except for tet(M), which was identified on plasmids in Lactococcus lactis. The contribution of intrinsic multidrug transporters to the antibiotic resistance was investigated by cloning and measuring the expression of Bifidobacterium breve genes in L. lactis.200817957105
5860110.9996Occurrence and linkage of genes coding for resistance to sulfonamides, streptomycin and chloramphenicol in bacteria of the genera Pasteurella and Mannheimia. Twenty-three isolates of the two genera Pasteurella (P.) and Mannheimia (M.) were analysed for the presence of genes specifying resistance to sulfonamides, streptomycin, and chloramphenicol. Specific PCR assays for the detection of the genes sulII, strA and catAIII, but also for the confirmation of their physical linkage were developed. A resistance gene cluster consisting of all three genes and characterised by a PCR amplicon of 2.2 kb was detected on four different types of plasmids and also in the chromosomal DNA of seven isolates. Physically linked sulII and strA genes were detected on three different types of plasmids and in the chromosomal DNA of three isolates. Sequence analysis of the different PCR amplicons revealed that these genes were present in either the orientation sulII-strA separated by differently sized spacer sequences, or strA-sulII. A truncated strA gene preceding a sulII gene was also detected in two cases.200111750817
5862120.9996Diversity of tetracycline resistance genes in bacteria from Chilean salmon farms. Twenty-five distinct tetracycline-resistant gram-negative bacteria recovered from four Chilean fish farms with no history of recent antibiotic use were examined for the presence of tetracycline resistance (tet) genes. Sixty percent of the isolates carried 1 of the 22 known tet genes examined. The distribution was as follows. The tet(A) gene was found in six isolates. The tet(B) gene was found in two isolates, including the first description in the genus Brevundimonas: Two isolates carried the tet(34) and tet(B) genes, including the first description of the tet(34) gene in Pseudomonas and Serratia and the first description of the tet(B) gene in Pseudomonas: The tet(H) gene was found in two isolates, which includes the first description in the genera Moraxella and Acinetobacter: One isolate carried tet(E), and one isolate carried tet(35), the first description of the gene in the genus Stenotrophomonas: Finally, one isolate carried tet(L), found for the first time in the genus Morganella: By DNA sequence analysis, the two tet(H) genes were indistinguishable from the previously sequenced tet(H) gene from Tn5706 found in Pasteurella multocida. The Acinetobacter radioresistens isolate also harbored the Tn5706-associated 1,063-bp IS element IS1597, while the Moraxella isolate carried a 1,026-bp IS-like element whose 293-amino-acid transposase protein exhibited 69% identity and 84% similarity to the transposase protein of IS1597, suggesting the presence of a novel IS element. The distribution of tet genes from the Chilean freshwater ponds was different than those that have previously been described from other geographical locations, with 40% of the isolates carrying unidentified tetracycline resistance genes.200312604516
2010130.9996Epidemiological survey of genes encoding aminoglycoside phosphotransferases APH (3') I and APH (3') II using DNA probes. The epidemiological survey of APH (3') I and APH (3') II genes, at a time when the specific antibiotic pressure was very low, was carried out by DNA-DNA hybridization. The sample included 334 aminoglycoside resistant Gram-negative bacteria collected from patients of a General Hospital. Of these, 251 hybridized with the APH (3') I-probe and 19 with the APH (3') II-probe but only 190 strains showed high resistance levels (CIM greater than 64 micrograms/ml) for kanamycin, neomycin and paromomycin. These strains were isolated both from inpatients and outpatients with different infectious diseases. The APH (3') I-gene was dispersed among all the bacterial species and clinical specimens tested but the APH (3') II-gene was not found in Pseudomonas spp, Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundii and Enterobacter cloacae, nor in infected catheters. Several plasmids of different sizes carrying APH (3') genes were detected among different bacteria. Plasmids along with transposable elements (the probes used in this work were developed from Tn906 and Tn5) and the high consumption of other antibiotics whose resistance is carried by these bacteria might be playing an important role in the maintenance and dispersion of APH (3') genes.19921328557
2906140.9996The mef(A) gene predominates among seven macrolide resistance genes identified in gram-negative strains representing 13 genera, isolated from healthy Portuguese children. Of the 176 randomly selected, commensal, gram-negative bacteria isolated from healthy children with low exposure to antibiotics, 138 (78%) carried one or more of the seven macrolide resistance genes tested in this study. These isolates included 79 (91%) isolates from the oral cavity and 59 (66%) isolates from urine samples. The mef(A) gene, coding for an efflux protein, was found in 73 isolates (41%) and was the most frequently carried gene. The mef(A) gene could be transferred from the donors into a gram-positive E. faecalis recipient and a gram-negative Escherichia coli recipient. The erm(B) gene transferred and was maintained in the E. coli transconjugants but was found in 0 to 100% of the E. faecalis transconjugants tested, while the other five genes could be transferred only into the E. coli recipient. The individual macrolide resistance genes were identified in 3 to 12 new genera. Eight (10%) of the oral isolates and 30 (34%) of the urine isolates for which the MICs were 2 to >500 microg of erythromycin per ml did not hybridize with any of the seven genes and may carry novel macrolide resistance genes.200415328110
5913150.9996Conjugal transfer of aac(6')Ie-aph(2″)Ia gene from native species and mechanism of regulation and cross resistance in Enterococcus faecalis MCC3063 by real time-PCR. High level aminoglycoside resistance (HLAR) in the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) derived from food animals is detrimental. The aim of this study was to investigate the localization and conjugal transfer of aminoglycoside resistance genes, aac(6')Ie-aph(2″)Ia and aph(3')IIIa in different Enterococcus species. The cross resistance patterns in Enterococcus faecalis MCC3063 to clinically important aminoglycosides by real time PCR were also studied. Southern hybridization experiments revealed the presence of aac(6')Ie-aph(2(″))Ia and aph(3')IIIa genes conferring HLAR in high molecular weight plasmids except in Lactobacillus plantarum. The plasmid encoded bifunctional aac(6')Ie-aph(2″)Ia gene was transferable from Enterococcus avium (n = 2), E. cecorum (n = 1), E. faecalis (n = 1) and Pediococcus lolii (n = 1) species into the recipient strain; E. faecalis JH2-2 by filter mating experiments thus indicating the possible risks of gene transfer into pathogenic strains. Molecular analysis of cross resistance patterns in native isolate of E. faecalis MCC3063 carrying aac(6')Ie-aph(2″)Ia and aph(3')IIIa gene was displayed by quantification of the mRNA levels in this study. For this, the culture was induced with increasing concentrations of gentamicin, kanamycin and streptomycin (2048, 4096, 8192, 16384 μg/mL) individually. The increasing concentrations of gentamicin and kanamycin induced the expression of the aac(6')Ie-aph(2″)Ia and aph(3')IIIa resistance genes, respectively. Interestingly, it was observed that induction with streptomycin triggered a significant fold increase in the expression of the aph(3')IIIa gene which otherwise was not known to modify the aminoglycoside. This is noteworthy as streptomycin was found to confer cross resistance to structurally unrelated kanamycin. Also, expression of the aph(3')IIIa gene when induced with streptomycin, revealed that bacteria harbouring this gene will be able to overcome streptomycin bactericidal action at specific concentrations. HLAR in E. faecalis MCC3063 may be due to the combined expression of both the aac(6')Ie-aph(2″)Ia and aph(3')IIIa genes which could be therapeutically challenging. A combined expression of both the genes in E. faecalis MCC3063 may yield HLAR which could be therapeutically challenging. The study highlights the significant alterations in the mRNA expression levels of aac(6')Ie-aph(2″)Ia and aph(3')IIIa in resistant pathogens, upon exposure to clinically vital aminoglycosides.201728774859
2916160.9996The identification of a tetracycline resistance gene tet(M), on a Tn916-like transposon, in the Bacillus cereus group. In order to investigate whether resistance genes present in bacteria in manure could transfer to indigenous soil bacteria, resistant isolates belonging to the Bacillus cereus group (Bacillus cereus, Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus thuringiensis) were isolated from farm soil (72 isolates) and manure (12 isolates) samples. These isolates were screened for tetracycline resistance genes (tet(K), tet(L), tet(M), tet(O), tet(S) and tet(T)). Of 88 isolates examined, three (3.4%) isolates carried both tet(M) and tet(L) genes, while four (4.5%) isolates carried the tet(L) gene. Eighty-one (92.1%) isolates did not contain any of the tested genes. All tet(M) positive isolates carried transposon Tn916 and could transfer this mobile DNA element to other Gram-positive bacteria.200212351239
2387170.9996Phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance profiles of fecal lactobacilli from domesticated pigeons in Poland. Lactobacillus species play an important role in the host and although they are non-pathogenic, they could act as reservoirs for antibiotic resistance genes, with the potential risk of transfer to other bacteria inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to identify Lactobacillus species derived from feces of domesticated pigeons and to characterize their phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles. A total of 57 Lactobacillus isolates were classified into six species using the MALDI-TOF technique and 16S rDNA restriction analysis. Strains of L. ingluviei (31%), L. salivarius (28%) and L. agilis (23%) were the dominant species isolated. Determination of antimicrobial susceptibility by the microdilution broth method showed widespread resistance to kanamycin (89%), tetracycline (84%), streptomycin (63%), and enrofloxacin (37%). Less than 30% of the isolates were resistant to erythromycin, lincosamides, gentamycin, chloramphenicol and vancomycin. Over half (51%) of the lactobacilli were classified as multidrug resistant. Tet genes were detected in 79% of isolates; the lnuA, cat, ermB, ermC, ant(6)-Ia, ant(4')-Ia, and int-Tn genes were found at a lower frequency. Sequence analysis of the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR)of the gyrA gene showed that fluoroquinolone resistance in lactobacilli was the result of a mutation that lead to a change in the amino acid sequence (Ser83→Tyr/Leu/Phe). Domesticated pigeons could be a reservoir for AMR Lactobacillus strains and AMR genes.202032781109
2914180.9996The genetic background for streptomycin resistance in Escherichia coli influences the distribution of MICs. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic background for streptomycin resistance in Escherichia coli and perform analysis of the MICs in relation to genetic background. METHODS: The 136 strains investigated, with streptomycin MICs of > or =16 mg/L, originated from meat and meat products and were collected within the frame of the Norwegian monitoring programme for antimicrobial resistance in bacteria from feed, food and animals (NORM-VET). PCR was carried out for detection of the streptomycin resistance genes strA-strB and the integron-associated aadA gene cassettes. RESULTS: The strA-strB genes and/or an aadA gene cassette were detected in 110 of the 136 (80.9%) strains investigated. The strA-strB genes were the most prevalent, and were detected in 90 strains. The aadA gene cassettes were detected in 29 strains, and nine strains harboured both the strA-strB genes and an aadA gene cassette. The distribution of MICs differed considerably between isolates harbouring the strA-strB genes (solely) (MIC(50) = 128 mg/L) and isolates harbouring an aadA gene cassette (solely) (MIC(50) = 16 mg/L). Strains harbouring both the strA-strB genes and an aadA gene cassette had higher streptomycin MICs than those harbouring either alone. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of streptomycin MICs in E. coli can be greatly influenced by the genes encoding resistance to streptomycin. The strA-strB genes are probably involved in conferring high-level resistance to streptomycin, whereas the opposite seems to be the case for the aadA gene cassettes. The low-level streptomycin resistance, caused by the presence of aadA gene cassettes in integrons, represents an obstacle in classifying E. coli as susceptible or resistant to streptomycin. Furthermore, the determination of an epidemiological cut-off value for surveillance purposes is also complicated by dissemination of integrons containing the aadA cassettes.200515897222
5863190.9996Molecular characterization of tet(M) genes in Lactobacillus isolates from different types of fermented dry sausage. The likelihood that products prepared from raw meat and milk may act as vehicles for antibiotic-resistant bacteria is currently of great concern in food safety issues. In this study, a collection of 94 tetracycline-resistant (Tc(r)) lactic acid bacteria recovered from nine different fermented dry sausage types were subjected to a polyphasic molecular study with the aim of characterizing the host organisms and the tet genes, conferring tetracycline resistance, that they carry. With the (GTG)(5)-PCR DNA fingerprinting technique, the Tc(r) lactic acid bacterial isolates were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum, L. sakei subsp. carnosus, L. sakei subsp. sakei, L. curvatus, and L. alimentarius and typed to the intraspecies level. For a selection of 24 Tc(r) lactic acid bacterial isolates displaying unique (GTG)(5)-PCR fingerprints, tet genes were determined by means of PCR, and only tet(M) was detected. Restriction enzyme analysis with AccI and ScaI revealed two different tet(M) allele types. This grouping was confirmed by partial sequencing of the tet(M) open reading frame, which indicated that the two allele types displayed high sequence similarities (>99.6%) with tet(M) genes previously reported in Staphylococcus aureus MRSA 101 and in Neisseria meningitidis, respectively. Southern hybridization with plasmid profiles revealed that the isolates contained tet(M)-carrying plasmids. In addition to the tet(M) gene, one isolate also contained an erm(B) gene on a different plasmid from the one encoding the tetracycline resistance. Furthermore, it was also shown by PCR that the tet(M) genes were not located on transposons of the Tn916/Tn1545 family. To our knowledge, this is the first detailed molecular study demonstrating that taxonomically and genotypically diverse Lactobacillus strains from different types of fermented meat products can be a host for plasmid-borne tet genes.200312571056