# | Rank | Similarity | Title + Abs. | Year | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 5526 | 0 | 1.0000 | Detection of Morganella morganii bound to a plastic substrate in surface water. OBJECTIVES: Around the globe, escalation in rare opportunistic microbial infections is alarming as they are heading steadily towards 'superbug' status. In aquatic ecosystems, plastic fosters multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria and plays a significant role in trafficking antibiotic-resistant genes. In this study, we focused on a multidrug-resistant bacterial strain isolated from microbial communities found on plastic substrates of a volcanic lake in central Italy. METHODS: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing strains were isolated from both raw water and plastic substrates for a comparative investigation using microbiological and molecular methods, and antibiotic susceptibility profiling was performed against a panel of ten antibiotics. RESULTS: Molecular identification and Basic Local Alignment Search Tool analysis confirmed an almost identical sequencing pattern of two isolated strains and their homology with Morganella morganii. Antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed their resistance to almost all tested antibiotics. Class 1 integron-associated gene (intI1) and seven antibiotic resistance genes were detected in both strains, confirming their superbug status. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study on the characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing M. morganii isolated from the biofilm of plastic substrates, depicting the potential toxicity of plastic in harbouring and dispersing virulent, multidrug-resistant, opportunistic human pathogens. | 2023 | 36764658 |
| 2571 | 1 | 0.9998 | Multidrug-resistant Enterobacter spp. in wastewater and surface water: Molecular characterization of β-lactam resistance and metal tolerance genes. Among the ESKAPE group pathogens, Enterobacter spp. is an opportunistic Gram-negative bacillus, widely dispersed in the environment, that causes infections. In the present study, samples of hospital wastewater, raw and treated urban wastewater, as well as surface receiving water, were collected to assess the occurrence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterobacter spp. A molecular characterization of β-lactam antibiotic resistance and metal tolerance genes was performed. According to identification by MALDI-TOF MS, 14 isolates were obtained: 7 E. bugandensis, 5 E. kobei, and 2 E. cloacae. The isolates showed resistance mainly to β-lactam antibiotics, including those used to treat infections caused by MDR bacteria. Multiple antibiotic resistance index was calculated for all isolates. It allowed verify whether sampling points showed a high risk due to antibiotic resistant Enterobacter spp., as well as to determine if the isolates have been in environments with a frequent antibiotic use. Twelve isolates showed β-lactam antibiotic resistance gene, being the bla(KPC) widely detected. Regarding metal tolerance, 13 isolates showed at least two genes that encode metal tolerance mechanisms. Overall, metal tolerance mechanisms to silver, copper, mercury, arsenic and tellurium were found. New data on metal tolerance mechanisms dispersion and antibiotic-resistance characterization of the E. bugandensis and E. kobei species were here provided. The occurrence of MDR Enterobacter spp. in analyzed samples draws attention to an urgent need to put control measures into practice. It also evidences waterborne spread of clinically important antibiotic-resistant bacteria recognized as critical priority pathogens. | 2023 | 37356524 |
| 5673 | 2 | 0.9998 | Antimicrobial Resistance, Genetic Lineages, and Biofilm Formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Human Infections: An Emerging One Health Concern. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is a leading nosocomial pathogen and has great versatility due to a complex interplay between antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors. PA has also turned into one the most relevant model organisms for the study of biofilm-associated infections. The objective of the study focused on analyzing the antimicrobial susceptibility, resistance genes, virulence factors, and biofilm formation ability of thirty-two isolates of PA. PA isolates were characterized by the following analyses: susceptibility to 12 antimicrobial agents, the presence of resistance genes and virulence factors in PCR assays, and the quantification of biofilm production as evaluated by two distinct assays. Selected PA isolates were analyzed through multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Thirty PA isolates have a multi-resistant phenotype, and most of the isolates showed high levels of resistance to the tested antibiotics. Carbapenems showed the highest prevalence of resistance. Various virulence factors were detected and, for the quantification of biofilm production, the effectiveness of different methods was assessed. The microtiter plate method showed the highest accuracy and reproducibility for detecting biofilm-producing bacteria. MLST revealed four distinct sequence types (STs) in clinical PA, with three of them considered high-risk clones of PA, namely ST175, ST235, and ST244. These clones are associated with multidrug resistance and are prevalent in hospitals worldwide. Overall, the study highlights the high prevalence of antibiotic resistance, the presence of carbapenemase genes, the diversity of virulence factors, and the importance of biofilm formation in PA clinical isolates. Understanding these factors is crucial for effective infection control measures and the development of targeted treatment strategies. | 2023 | 37627668 |
| 5513 | 3 | 0.9998 | The genetic background of antibiotic resistance among clinical uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains. The spreading mechanisms of antibiotic resistance are related to many bacterial and environment factors. The overuse of antibiotics is leading to an unceasing emergence of new multidrug resistant strains. This problem also concerns uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains, which is the most common pathogen causing urinary tract infections. The aim of this study was the genetic analysis of antibiotic resistance in comparison to the phenotypic background of E. coli strains. The characterized collection of E. coli strains isolated 10 years ago from the urine samples of patients with urinary tract infections was used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (the disc diffusion method) and analysis of antibiotic resistance genes (PCR reaction, sequencing). Additionally, the presence of ESBL strains was analyzed. Fourteen genes were associated with resistance to beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, sulfonamides and quinolones. The genetic analysis revealed that bla(TEM-1) and sul2 were present in almost all of the studied strains. Other drug-resistance genes were very rare or non-existent. Otherwise, the phenotypic resistance to fluoroquinolones was well correlated with the genotypic background of the studied bacteria. The presence of particular genes and specific mutations indicate a high bacterial potential to multidrug resistance. On the other hand, it needs to be emphasized that the standard disk diffusion test for the routine antimicrobial susceptibility analysis is still the best way to estimate the current situation of bacterial drug-resistance. | 2018 | 30008141 |
| 1923 | 4 | 0.9998 | Emerging Issues on Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Colonizing Plastic Waste in Aquatic Ecosystems. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) adhesion onto plastic substrates is a potential threat to environmental and human health. This current research investigates the prevalence of two relevant human pathogens, Staphylococcus spp. and Klebsiella spp., and their sophisticated equipment of antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs), retrieved from plastic substrates submerged into an inland water body. The results of microbiological analysis on selective and chromogenic media revealed the presence of colonies with distinctive phenotypes, which were identified using biochemical and molecular methods. 16S rDNA sequencing and BLAST analysis confirmed the presence of Klebsiella spp., while in the case of Staphylococcus spp., 63.6% of strains were found to be members of Lysinibacillus spp., and the remaining 36.3% were identified as Exiguobacterium acetylicum. The Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion assay was performed to test the susceptibility of the isolates to nine commercially available antibiotics, while the genotypic resistant profile was determined for two genes of class 1 integrons and eighteen ARGs belonging to different classes of antibiotics. All isolated bacteria displayed a high prevalence of resistance against all tested antibiotics. These findings provide insights into the emerging risks linked to colonization by potential human opportunistic pathogens on plastic waste commonly found in aquatic ecosystems. | 2024 | 38667014 |
| 5672 | 5 | 0.9998 | Antibiotic Resistance, Biofilm Formation, and Presence of Genes Encoding Virulence Factors in Strains Isolated from the Pharmaceutical Production Environment. The spread of bacterial resistance to antibiotics affects various areas of life. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and other bacteria mainly from orders Enterobacterales and Staphylococcus in the pharmaceutical production sites, and to characterize isolated strains in the aspects of antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation, and presence of genes encoding virulence factors. Genes encoding selected virulence factors were detected using PCR techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was applied in accordance with the EUCAST recommendations. A total of 46 P. aeruginosa strains were isolated and 85% strains showed a strong biofilm-forming ability. The qualitative identification of genes taking part in Quorum Sensing system demonstrated that over 89% of strains contained lasR and rhlI genes. An antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed nine strains resistant to at least one antibiotic, and two isolates were the metallo-β-lactamase producers. Moreover, the majority of P. aeruginosa strains contained genes encoding various virulence factors. Presence of even low level of pathogenic microorganisms or higher level of opportunistic pathogens and their toxic metabolites might result in the production inefficiency. Therefore, the prevention of microbial contamination, effectiveness of sanitary and hygienic applied protocols, and constant microbiological monitoring of the environment are of great importance. | 2021 | 33513933 |
| 5671 | 6 | 0.9998 | Biofilms and antibiotic susceptibility of multidrug-resistant bacteria from wild animals. BACKGROUND: The "One Health" concept recognizes that human health and animal health are interdependent and bound to the health of the ecosystem in which they (co)exist. This interconnection favors the transmission of bacteria and other infectious agents as well as the flow of genetic elements containing antibiotic resistance genes. This problem is worsened when pathogenic bacteria have the ability to establish as biofilms. Therefore, it is important to understand the characteristics and behaviour of microorganisms in both planktonic and biofilms states from the most diverse environmental niches to mitigate the emergence and dissemination of resistance. METHODS: The purpose of this work was to assess the antibiotic susceptibility of four bacteria (Acinetobacter spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Shewanella putrefaciens) isolated from wild animals and their ability to form biofilms. The effect of two antibiotics, imipenem (IPM) and ciprofloxacin (CIP), on biofilm removal was also assessed. Screening of resistance genetic determinants was performed by PCR. Biofilm tests were performed by a modified microtiter plate method. Bacterial surface hydrophobicity was determined by sessile drop contact angles. RESULTS: The susceptibility profile classified the bacteria as multidrug-resistant. Three genes coding for β-lactamases were detected in K. pneumoniae (TEM, SHV, OXA-aer) and one in P. fluorescens (OXA-aer). K. pneumoniae was the microorganism that carried more β-lactamase genes and it was the most proficient biofilm producer, while P. fluorescens demonstrated the highest adhesion ability. Antibiotics at their MIC, 5 × MIC and 10 × MIC were ineffective in total biofilm removal. The highest biomass reductions were found with IPM (54% at 10 × MIC) against K. pneumoniae biofilms and with CIP (40% at 10 × MIC) against P. fluorescens biofilms. DISCUSSION: The results highlight wildlife as important host reservoirs and vectors for the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria and genetic determinants of resistance. The ability of these bacteria to form biofilms should increase their persistence. | 2018 | 29910986 |
| 5501 | 7 | 0.9998 | The oral microbiota of domestic cats harbors a wide variety of Staphylococcus species with zoonotic potential. This study aimed to characterize the species, antimicrobial resistance and dispersion of CRISPR systems in staphylococci isolated from the oropharynx of domestic cats in Brazil. Staphylococcus strains (n=75) were identified by MALDI-TOF and sequencing of rpoB and tuf genes. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed by disk diffusion method and PCR to investigate the presence of antimicrobial-resistance genes usually present in mobile genetic elements (plasmids), in addition to plasmid extraction. CRISPR - genetic arrangements that give the bacteria the ability to resist the entry of exogenous DNA - were investigated by the presence of the essential protein Cas1 gene. A great diversity of Staphylococcus species (n=13) was identified. The presence of understudied species, like S. nepalensis and S. pettenkoferi reveals that more than one identification method may be necessary to achieve conclusive results. At least 56% of the strains contain plamids, being 99% resistant to at least one of the eight tested antimicrobials and 12% multidrug resistant. CRISPR were rare among the studied strains, consistent with their putative role as gene reservoirs. Moreover, herein we describe for the first time their existence in Staphylococcus lentus, to which the system must confer additional adaptive advantage. Prevalence of resistance among staphylococci against antimicrobials used in veterinary and human clinical practice and the zoonotic risk highlight the need of better antimicrobial management practices, as staphylococci may transfer resistance genes among themselves, including to virulent species, like S. aureus. | 2017 | 28284599 |
| 5510 | 8 | 0.9998 | Investigating possible association between multidrug resistance and isolate origin with some virulence factors of Escherichia coli strains isolated from infant faeces and fresh green vegetables. AIMS: In this study, the association between multidrug resistance (MDR) and the expression of some virulence factors were evaluated in Escherichia coli strains isolated from infant faeces and fresh green vegetables. The effect of isolate origin on associated virulence factors was evaluated. In addition, genetic fingerprinting of a sample of these isolates (10 isolates from each group) was studied in order to detect any genetic relatedness among these isolates. METHODS AND RESULTS: Escherichia coli isolates were divided into four groups based on their origin (human faeces or plant) and their antibiotic resistance (multiresistance or susceptible). PCR was used to investigate heat-labile and heat-stable enterotoxin genes, and four siderophore genes (aerobactin, enterobactin, salmochelin and yersiniabactin). Genetic fingerprinting of the isolates was performed using enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR. Siderophore production was measured by a colorimetric method. Biofilm formation was evaluated by a crystal violet assay. The results of the study showed that the expression of MDR is not significantly associated with an increase in these virulence factors or with biofilm formation. However, the origin of isolates had a significant association with siderophore gene availability and consequently on the concentrations of siderophores released. Genetic fingerprinting indicated that human and plant isolates have the same clonal origin, suggesting their circulation among humans and plants. CONCLUSION: Antibiotic-susceptible strains of E. coli may be as virulent as MDR strains. Results also suggest that the environment can play a potential role in selection of strains with specific virulence factors. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Antibiotic-susceptible isolates of Escherichia coli from plant or human origin can be as virulent as the multidrug resistance (MDR) ones. Genetic relatedness was detected among the isolates of plant and human origin, indicating the circulation of these bacteria among human and plants. This could imply a potential role for environmental antimicrobial resistant bacteria in human infection. | 2019 | 31034123 |
| 2568 | 9 | 0.9998 | Isolation and characterization of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from pharmaceutical industrial wastewaters. Contamination of surface waters in underdeveloped countries is a great concern. Treated and untreated wastewaters have been discharged into rivers and streams, leading to possible waterborne infection outbreaks which may represent a significant dissemination mechanism of antibiotic resistance genes among pathogenic bacterial populations. The present study aims to determine the multi-drug resistance patterns among isolated and identified bacterial strains in a pharmaceutical wastewater effluent in north Tunisia. Fourteen isolates were obtained and seven of them were identified. These isolates belong to different genera namely, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Exiguobacterium, Delftia and Morganella. Susceptibility patterns of these isolates were studied toward commonly used antibiotics in Tunisia. All the identified isolates were found to have 100% susceptibility against colistin sulfate and 100% resistance against amoxicillin. Among the 11 antibiotics tested, six patterns of multi-drug resistance were obtained. The potential of the examined wastewater effluent in spreading multi-drug resistance and the associated public health implications are discussed. | 2015 | 26343496 |
| 2569 | 10 | 0.9998 | Investigating the impact of hospital antibiotic usage on aquatic environment and aquaculture systems: A molecular study of quinolone resistance in Escherichia coli. Quinolones are one of the most important classes of antibacterials available for the treatment of infectious diseases in humans. However, there is a growing concern about bacterial resistance to antimicrobials including quinolones. The spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the aquatic environment has been recognized as a growing threat to public health and hospitals appear to be a major contributor to this. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of quinolone resistance in Escherichia coli from selected water bodies receiving direct hospital effluents in Kerala, India. Standard disc diffusion and E-test were used for antibiotic susceptibility testing. As antibiotic resistance can develop in bacterial isolates by different means, EtBr Agar Cartwheel method was used to detect the efflux pump activity and presence of resistant genes was detected by PCR. The mechanism of transfer of plasmid mediated resistance was confirmed by conjugation experiments. A total of 209 multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli were isolated from different hospital effluent discharge sites and aquaculture farms located in their vicinity. Among them, qnrB was found to be most prevalent followed by qnrS, OqxAB, qnrA and aac (6')-Ib-cr. The results suggested that the antibiotics present at sub-inhibitory concentrations in direct hospital effluents increases the selection pressure impacting the cell function of even normal microorganisms in the aquatic environment to change the genetic expression of virulence factors or acquire resistance genes by different transfer mechanisms, posing a serious threat to public health. | 2020 | 32805571 |
| 5699 | 11 | 0.9998 | Presence of β-Lactamase Encoding Genes in Burkholderia cepacia Complex Isolated from Soil. Burkholderia cepacia complex has emerged as an important opportunistic bacteria group for immunocompromised patients, and it has a high level of intrinsic resistance for different antibiotic classes. Hydrolysis of β-lactam antibiotics by β-lactamases is the most common resistance mechanism in Gram-negative bacteria, and the presence of such enzymes complicates the selection of appropriate therapy. This study aimed at investigating the antimicrobial resistance profile and the presence of β-lactamase encoding genes in B. cepacia complex isolated from Brazilian soils. High-level ceftazidime resistance and several β-lactamase encoding genes were found, including the first report of bla(KPC) genes in bacteria isolated from soil. | 2018 | 28915359 |
| 5525 | 12 | 0.9998 | A comprehensive survey of Aeromonas sp. and Vibrio sp. in seabirds from southeastern Brazil: outcomes for public health. AIMS: To perform a microbiological survey regarding the presence, prevalence and characterization of Aeromonas sp. and Vibrio sp. in debilitated wrecked marine birds recovered from the centre-north coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS AND RESULTS: Swabs obtained from 116 alive and debilitated wrecked marine birds, comprising 19 species, from the study area were evaluated by biochemical methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests and pathogenicity gene screening were performed for bacterial strains of public health importance. Vibrio sp. and Aeromonas sp. were identified, as well as certain pathogenic genes and resistance to selected antimicrobials. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the identified bacteria, mainly Vibrio sp., are fairly prevalent and widespread among several species of seabirds and highlights the importance of migratory birds in bacterial dispersion. In addition, it demonstrates the importance of the bacterial strains regarding their pathogenic potential. Therefore, seabirds can act as bacterial reservoirs, and their monitoring is of the utmost importance in a public health context. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The study comprehensively evaluates the importance of seabirds as bacteria of public health importance reservoirs, since birds comprising several pathogenic bacterial species were evaluated. | 2018 | 29356247 |
| 5715 | 13 | 0.9998 | Genomic Characterization of Mobile Genetic Elements Associated with Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter Non-baumannii Species from Southern Thailand. This study investigated the genetic diversity, antimicrobial resistance profiles, and virulence characteristics of Acinetobacter non-baumannii isolates obtained from four hospitals in southern Thailand. Clinical data, genome information, and average nucleotide identity (ANI) were analyzed for eight isolates, revealing diverse genetic profiles and novel sequence types (STs). Minimum spanning tree analysis indicated potential clonal spread of certain STs across different geographic regions. Antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) were detected in all isolates, with a high prevalence of genes conferring resistance to carbapenems, highlighting the challenge of antimicrobial resistance in Acinetobacter spp. infections. Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) carrying ARGs were also identified, emphasizing the role of horizontal gene transfer in spreading resistance. Evaluation of virulence-associated genes revealed a diverse range of virulence factors, including those related to biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. However, no direct correlation was found between virulence-associated genes in Acinetobacter spp. and specific clinical outcomes, such as infection severity or patient mortality. This complexity suggests that factors beyond gene presence may influence disease progression and outcomes. This study emphasizes the importance of continued surveillance and molecular epidemiological studies to combat the spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter non-baumannii strains. The findings provide valuable insights into the epidemiology and genetic characteristics of this bacteria in southern Thailand, with implications for infection control and antimicrobial management efforts. | 2024 | 38391535 |
| 5519 | 14 | 0.9998 | Antimicrobial susceptibility, virulence potential and sequence types associated with Arcobacter strains recovered from human faeces. PURPOSE: The genus Arcobacter includes bacteria that are considered emergent pathogens because they can produce infections in humans and animals. The most common symptoms are bloody and non-bloody persistent diarrhea but cases with abdominal cramps without diarrhea or asymptomatic cases have also been described as well as cases with bacteremia. The objective was to characterize Arcobacter clinical strains isolated from the faeces of patients from three Spanish hospitals. METHODOLOGY: We have characterized 28 clinical strains (27 of A. butzleri and one of A. cryaerophilus) isolated from faeces, analysing their epidemiological relationship using the multilocus sequence typing (MLST) approach and screening them for their antibiotic susceptibility and for the presence of virulence genes.Results/Key findings. Typing results showed that only one of the 28 identified sequence types (i.e. ST 2) was already present in the MLST database. The other 27 STs constituted new records because they included new alleles for five of the seven genes or new combinations of known alleles of the seven genes. All strains were positive for the ciaB virulence gene and sensitive to tetracycline. However, 7.4 % of the A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus strains showed resistance to ciprofloxacin. CONCLUSION: The fact that epidemiological unrelated strains show the same ST indicates that other techniques with higher resolution should be developed to effectively recognize the infection source. Resistance to ciprofloxacin, one of the antibiotics recommended for the treatment of Arcobacter intestinal infections, demonstrated in 10.7 % of the strains, indicates the importance of selecting the most appropriate effective treatment. | 2017 | 29120301 |
| 5680 | 15 | 0.9998 | Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Genetic Characterization and Spread in Lithuania in 2014, 2016, and 2018. Bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents plays an important role in the treatment of bacterial infections in healthcare institutions. The spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria can occur during inter- and intra-hospital transmissions among patients and hospital personnel. For this reason, more studies must be conducted to understand how resistance occurs in bacteria and how it moves between hospitals by comparing data from different years and looking out for any patterns that might emerge. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter spp. was studied at 14 healthcare institutions in Lithuania during 2014, 2016, and 2018 using samples from human bloodstream infections. In total, 194 isolates were collected and identified using MALDI-TOF and VITEK2 analyzers as Acinetobacter baumannii group bacteria. After that, the isolates were analyzed for the presence of different resistance genes (20 genes were analyzed) and characterized by using the Rep-PCR and MLVA (multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis) genotyping methods. The results of the study showed the relatedness of the different Acinetobacter spp. isolates and a possible circulation of resistance genes or profiles during the different years of the study. This study provides essential information, such as variability and diversity of resistance genes, genetic profiling, and clustering of isolates, to better understand the antimicrobial resistance patterns of Acinetobacter spp. These results can be used to strengthen the control of multidrug-resistant infections in healthcare institutions and to prevent potential outbreaks of this pathogen in the future. | 2021 | 33669401 |
| 5736 | 16 | 0.9998 | Comparative Genomic Analysis and Antimicrobial Resistance Profile of Enterococcus Strains Isolated from Raw Sheep Milk. The role of Enterococcus spp. in food is debated since this group of lactic acid bacteria contains opportunistic pathogenic strains, some of which exhibit a multidrug-resistant profile. In livestock farms, the use of antibiotics is the most common practice to deal with mastitis-causing bacteria. However, the heavy usage and/or misuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to genetically and phenotypically characterize Enterococcus strains isolated from raw sheep milk. Samples were collected over one year from the bulk tank of a dairy sheep farm and cultured on selective media. Isolates were purified and analyzed by whole-genome sequencing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The isolates were divided into clusters and the corresponding species were identified along with their genes related to virulence and antibiotic resistance. The pan-, core- and accessory-genomes of the strains were determined. Finally, the antibiotic-resistant profile of selected strains was examined and associated with their genomic characterization. These findings contribute to a better understanding of Enterococci epidemiology, providing comprehensive profiles of their virulence and resistance genes. The presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in raw sheep milk destined for the production of cheese should raise awareness. | 2025 | 40872636 |
| 5511 | 17 | 0.9998 | Escherichia coli as a Potential Reservoir of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes on the Island of O'ahu. The problem of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria has not been adequately explored in the tropical island environment. To date, there has not been a systematic investigation into the prevalence and distribution of antimicrobial resistance determinants in the Hawaiian Islands. Urinary isolates are the most common bacterial pathogens encountered in the clinical laboratory. Therefore, the antimicrobial resistance determinant profiles of these organisms can serve as a sentinel of the overall antimicrobial resistance situation in a localized patient population. In this study, 82 clinical isolates of Escherichia coli derived from 82 distinct patients were collected at a large medical center on the island of O'ahu. Each isolate was evaluated for the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes using a microarray-based approach. A total of 36 antimicrobial resistance genes covering 10 classes of antimicrobial compounds were identified. Most isolates were found to harbor between 3 and 5 antimicrobial resistance genes. Only a few isolates were found to harbor more than 12 genes. Significantly, a high rate of phenotypic resistance to one of the first-line treatments for uncomplicated urinary tract infection (sulfamethoxazole) was identified. This phenotype was correlated to the presence of sulfonamides and trimethoprim resistance determinants. Since E. coli is one of the most encountered pathogens in the hospital environment, the presence of clinically relevant resistance determinants in isolates of this organism from a clinical setting on O'ahu is a significant finding that warrants further investigation. | 2021 | 33490961 |
| 5000 | 18 | 0.9998 | Spatiotemporal dynamics of multidrug resistant bacteria on intensive care unit surfaces. Bacterial pathogens that infect patients also contaminate hospital surfaces. These contaminants impact hospital infection control and epidemiology, prompting quantitative examination of their transmission dynamics. Here we investigate spatiotemporal and phylogenetic relationships of multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria on intensive care unit surfaces from two hospitals in the United States (US) and Pakistan collected over one year. MDR bacteria isolated from 3.3% and 86.7% of US and Pakistani surfaces, respectively, include common nosocomial pathogens, rare opportunistic pathogens, and novel taxa. Common nosocomial isolates are dominated by single lineages of different clones, are phenotypically MDR, and have high resistance gene burdens. Many resistance genes (e.g., bla(NDM), bla(OXA) carbapenamases), are shared by multiple species and flanked by mobilization elements. We identify Acinetobacter baumannii and Enterococcus faecium co-association on multiple surfaces, and demonstrate these species establish synergistic biofilms in vitro. Our results highlight substantial MDR pathogen burdens in hospital built-environments, provide evidence for spatiotemporal-dependent transmission, and demonstrate potential mechanisms for multi-species surface persistence. | 2019 | 31594927 |
| 3406 | 19 | 0.9998 | Environmental and Pathogenic Carbapenem Resistant Bacteria Isolated from a Wastewater Treatment Plant Harbour Distinct Antibiotic Resistance Mechanisms. Wastewater treatment plants are important reservoirs and sources for the dissemination of antibiotic resistance into the environment. Here, two different groups of carbapenem resistant bacteria-the potentially environmental and the potentially pathogenic-were isolated from both the wastewater influent and discharged effluent of a full-scale wastewater treatment plant and characterized by whole genome sequencing and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Among the potentially environmental isolates, there was no detection of any acquired antibiotic resistance genes, which supports the idea that their resistance mechanisms are mainly intrinsic. On the contrary, the potentially pathogenic isolates presented a broad diversity of acquired antibiotic resistance genes towards different antibiotic classes, especially β-lactams, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones. All these bacteria showed multiple β-lactamase-encoding genes, some with carbapenemase activity, such as the bla(KPC)-type genes found in the Enterobacteriaceae isolates. The antibiotic susceptibility testing assays performed on these isolates also revealed that all had a multi-resistance phenotype, which indicates that the acquired resistance is their major antibiotic resistance mechanism. In conclusion, the two bacterial groups have distinct resistance mechanisms, which suggest that the antibiotic resistance in the environment can be a more complex problematic than that generally assumed. | 2021 | 34572700 |