Antibiotic Resistance Characterization and Molecular Characteristics of Enterococcus Species Isolated from Combination Probiotic Preparations in China. - Related Documents




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593601.0000Antibiotic Resistance Characterization and Molecular Characteristics of Enterococcus Species Isolated from Combination Probiotic Preparations in China. Enterococci can act as reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant genes that are potentially at risk of being transferred to other bacteria that inhabit in the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to determine the phenotypic and molecular characteristics of antibiotic-resistant enterococci isolated from probiotic preparations. In total, we isolated 15 suspected Enterococcus species from 5 compound probiotics, which were identified by 16S rDNA as 12 Enterococcus faecium and 3 Enterococcus faecalis. Determination of antimicrobial susceptibility by the microdilution broth method showed widespread resistance to sulfamethoxazole (100%), norfloxacin (99.3%), azithromycin (99.3%), gentamicin (86.7%), and chloramphenicol (20%). Whole genome sequencing of five resistant strains revealed that all had circular DNA chromosomes and that E. faecium J-1-A to J-4-A contained a plasmid, while E. faecalis J-5-A did not. The results of the resistance gene analysis revealed that each strain contained approximately 30 resistance genes, with the antibiotic resistance genes and the multidrug resistance efflux pump genes mdtG, lmrC, and lmrD detected in all strains. The chloramphenicol resistance genes ykkC and ykkD were first identified in E. faecalis. And there were 21, 19, 21, 21, and 29 virulence factors involved in strains, respectively. Further analysis of the gene islands (GIs) revealed that each strain contained more than 10 GIs. The above results confirm the existence of hidden dangers in the safety of probiotics and remind us to carefully select probiotic preparations containing enterococcal strains to avoid the potential spread of resistance and pathogenicity.202437824752
238910.9999Antibiotic Resistance of LACTOBACILLUS Strains. The study provides phenotypic and molecular analyses of the antibiotic resistance in 20 Lactobacillus strains including 11 strains newly isolated from fermented plant material. According to the results of disc diffusion method, 90% of tested lactobacilli demonstrated sensitivity to clindamycin and 95% of strains were susceptible to tetracycline, erythromycin, and rifampicin. Ampicillin and chloramphenicol were found to inhibit all bacteria used in this study. The vast majority of tested strains revealed phenotypic resistance to vancomycin, ciprofloxacin, and aminoglycosides. Most of Lactobacillus strains showed high minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, and cefazolin and therefore were considered resistant to cephalosporins. All the strains exhibited multidrug resistance. The occurrence of resistance genes was associated with phenotypic resistance, with the exception of phenotypically susceptible strains that contained genes for tetracycline (tetK, tetL) and erythromycin (ermB, mefA) resistance. The vanX gene for vancomycin resistance was among the most frequently identified among the lactobacilli (75% of strains), but the occurrence of the parC gene for ciprofloxacin resistance was sporadic (20% of strains). Our results mainly evidence the intrinsic nature of the resistance to aminoglycosides in lactobacilli, though genes for enzymatic modification of streptomycin aadA and aadE were found in 20% of tested strains. The occurrence of extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) was unknown in Lactobacillus, but our results revealed the blaTEM gene in 80% of strains, whereas blaSHV and blaOXA-1 genes were less frequent (20% and 15% of strains, respectively).201931555856
290320.9998Soil Bacteria in Urban Community Gardens Have the Potential to Disseminate Antimicrobial Resistance Through Horizontal Gene Transfer. Fifteen soil and 45 vegetable samples from Detroit community gardens were analyzed for potential antimicrobial resistance contamination. Soil bacteria were isolated and tested by antimicrobial susceptibility profiling, horizontal gene transfer, and whole-genome sequencing. High-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing analysis was conducted on collected soil samples to determine the total bacterial composition. Of 226 bacterial isolates recovered, 54 were from soil and 172 from vegetables. A high minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was defined as the MIC greater than or equal to the resistance breakpoint of Escherichia coli for Gram-negative bacteria or Staphylococcus aureus for Gram-positive bacteria. The high MIC was observed in 63.4 and 69.8% of Gram-negative isolates from soil and vegetables, respectively, against amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, as well as 97.5 and 82.7% against ampicillin, 97.6 and 90.7% against ceftriaxone, 85.4 and 81.3% against cefoxitin, 65.8 and 70.5% against chloramphenicol, and 80.5 and 59.7% against ciprofloxacin. All Gram-positive bacteria showed a high MIC to gentamicin, kanamycin, and penicillin. Forty of 57 isolates carrying tetM (70.2%) successfully transferred tetracycline resistance to a susceptible recipient via conjugation. Whole-genome sequencing analysis identified a wide array of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), including those encoding AdeIJK, Mex, and SmeDEF efflux pumps, suggesting a high potential of the isolates to become antimicrobial resistant, despite some inconsistency between the gene profile and the resistance phenotype. In conclusion, soil bacteria in urban community gardens can serve as a reservoir of antimicrobial resistance with the potential to transfer to clinically important pathogens, resulting in food safety and public health concerns.202134887843
290930.9998Determination of the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance genes in canine Clostridium perfringens isolates. Clostridium perfringens is a well documented cause of a mild self-limiting diarrhea and a potentially fatal acute hemorrhagic diarrheal syndrome in the dog. A recent study documented that 21% of canine C. perfringens isolates had MIC's indicative of resistance to tetracycline, an antimicrobial commonly recommended for treatment of C. perfringens-associated diarrhea. The objective of the present study was to further evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of these isolates by determining the prevalence of specific resistance genes, their expression, and ability for transference between bacteria. One hundred and twenty-four canine C. perfringens isolates from 124 dogs were evaluated. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of tetracycline, erythromycin, tylosin, and metronidazole were determined using the CLSI Reference Agar Dilution Method. All isolates were screened for three tetracycline resistance genes: tetA(P), tetB(P) and tetM, and two macrolide resistance genes: ermB and ermQ, via PCR using primer sequences previously described. Ninety-six percent (119/124) of the isolates were positive for the tetA(P) gene, and 41% (51/124) were positive for both the tetA(P) and tetB(P) genes. No isolates were positive for the tetB(P) gene alone. Highly susceptible isolates (MIC< or = 4 microg/ml) were significantly more likely to lack the tetB(P) gene. One isolate (0.8%) was positive for the ermB gene, and one isolate was positive for the ermQ gene. The tetM gene was not found in any of the isolates tested. Two out of 15 tested isolates (13%) demonstrated transfer of tetracycline resistance via bacterial conjugation. Tetracycline should be avoided for the treatment of C. perfringens-associated diarrhea in dogs because of the relatively high prevalence of in vitro resistance, and the potential for conjugative transfer of antimicrobial resistance.200616330169
593540.9998Antibiotic resistance genes in anaerobic bacteria isolated from primary dental root canal infections. Fourty-one bacterial strains isolated from infected dental root canals and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequence were screened for the presence of 14 genes encoding resistance to beta-lactams, tetracycline and macrolides. Thirteen isolates (32%) were positive for at least one of the target antibiotic resistance genes. These strains carrying at least one antibiotic resistance gene belonged to 11 of the 26 (42%) infected root canals sampled. Two of these positive cases had two strains carrying resistance genes. Six out of 7 Fusobacterium strains harbored at least one of the target resistance genes. One Dialister invisus strain was positive for 3 resistance genes, and 4 other strains carried two of the target genes. Of the 6 antibiotic resistance genes detected in root canal strains, the most prevalent were blaTEM (17% of the strains), tetW (10%), and ermC (10%). Some as-yet-uncharacterized Fusobacterium and Prevotella isolates were positive for blaTEM, cfxA and tetM. Findings demonstrated that an unexpectedly large proportion of dental root canal isolates, including as-yet-uncharacterized strains previously regarded as uncultivated phylotypes, can carry antibiotic resistance genes.201223108290
590250.9998Antimicrobial 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
238760.9998Phenotypic 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
553870.9998Phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Streptococcus spp. isolated from cases of clinical mastitis in dairy cattle in Poland. Mastitis of dairy cattle is one of the most frequently diagnosed diseases worldwide. The main etiological agents of mastitis are bacteria of the genus Streptococcus spp., in which several antibiotic resistance mechanisms have been identified. However, detailed studies addressing this problem have not been conducted in northeastern Poland. Therefore, the aim of our study was to analyze, on phenotypic and genotypic levels, the antibiotic resistance pattern of Streptococcus spp. isolated from clinical cases of mastitis from dairy cattle in this region of Poland. The research was conducted using 135 strains of Streptococcus (Streptococcus uberis, n = 53; Streptococcus dysgalactiae, n = 41; Streptococcus agalactiae, n = 27; other streptococci, n = 14). The investigation of the antimicrobial susceptibility to 8 active substances applied in therapy in the analyzed region, as well as a selected bacteriocin (nisin), was performed using the minimum inhibitory concentration method. The presence of selected resistance genes (n = 14) was determined via PCR. We also investigated the correlation between the presence of resistance genes and the antimicrobial susceptibility of the examined strains in vitro. The highest observed resistance of Streptococcus spp. was toward gentamicin, kanamycin, and tetracycline, whereas the highest susceptibility occurred toward penicillin, enrofloxacin, and marbofloxacin. Additionally, the tested bacteriocin showed high efficacy. The presence of 13 analyzed resistance genes was observed in the examined strains [gene mef(A) was not detected]. In most strains, at least one resistance gene, mainly responsible for resistance to tetracyclines [tet(M), tet(K), tet(L)], was observed. However, a relationship between the presence of a given resistance gene and antimicrobial susceptibility on the phenotypic level was not always observed.201728601447
599780.9998Resistance 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
239990.9998Ready-to-eat dairy products as a source of multidrug-resistant Enterococcus strains: Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. The enterococci are ubiquitous bacteria able to colonize the human and animal gastrointestinal tracts and fresh and fermented food products. Their highly plastic genome allows Enterococcus spp. to gain resistance to multiple antibiotics, making infections with these organisms difficult to treat. Food-borne enterococci could be carriers of antibiotic resistance determinants. The goal of this work was to study the characteristics of Enterococcus spp. in fermented milk products from Poland and their antibiotic resistance gene profiles. A total of 189 strains were isolated from 182 dairy products out of 320 samples tested. The predominant species were Enterococcus faecium (53.4%) and Enterococcus faecalis (34.4%). Isolates were resistant to streptomycin (29.1%), erythromycin (14.3%), tetracycline (11.6%), rifampicin (8.7%), and tigecycline (8.1%). We also detected 2 vancomycin-resistant and 3 linezolid-resistant strains; however, no vanA or vanB genes were identified. A total of 57 high-level aminoglycoside resistance strains (30.2%) were identified, most of which have the ant(6')-Ia gene, followed by the aac(6')-Ie-aph(2″)-Ia and aph(3″)-IIIa genes. Resistance to tetracycline was most often conferred by tetM and tetL genes. Macrolide resistance was most frequently encoded by ermB and ermA genes. Conjugative mobile genetic element (transposon Tn916-Tn1545) was identified in 15.3% of the strains, including 96.3% of strains harboring the tetM gene. This study found that enterococci are widely present in retail ready-to-eat dairy products in Poland. Many isolated strains are antibiotic resistant and carry transferable resistance genes, which represent a potential source of transmission of multidrug-resistant bacteria to humans.202032197843
2910100.9998Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of tetracycline and minocycline resistance in Clostridium perfringens. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of tetracycline resistance and the prevalence of tetracycline-resistance genes in strains of Clostridium perfringens isolated from different sources between 1994 and 2005. Susceptibility to tetracycline and minocycline in strains from humans (35 isolates), chickens (15 isolates), food (21 isolates), soil (16 isolates) and veterinary sources (6 isolates) was determined, and tetracycline-resistance genes were detected. Resistance was most common in strains isolated from chickens, followed by those from soils, clinical samples and foods. The most highly resistant strains were found among clinical and food isolates. tetA(P) was the most common resistance gene, and along with tetB(P) was found in all resistant strains and some sensitive strains. One tetracycline-resistant food isolate had an intact tet(M) gene. However, PCR fragments of 0.4 or 0.8 kb with high degrees of identity to parts of the tet(M) sequences of other bacteria were found, mainly in clinical isolates, and often in isolates with tetB(P). No correlation between level of sensitivity to tetracycline or minocycline and the presence of tetA(P), tetB(P) or part of tet(M) was found. The presence of part of tet(M) in some strains of C. perfringens containing tetB(P) may have occurred by recent gene transfer.201020661548
5534110.9998Antibiotic resistance in faecal microbiota of Greek healthy infants. Increasing use of antibiotics for the treatment of infectious diseases and also for non-therapeutic reasons (agriculture, animal husbandry and aquaculture) has led to the increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance and the ineffectiveness of antimicrobial treatment. Commensal intestinal bacteria are very often exposed to the selective pressure of antimicrobial agents and may constitute a reservoir of antibiotic resistance determinants that can be transferred to pathogens. The present study aimed to investigate the antibiotic susceptibility profile and the presence of selected resistance genes in cocci isolated from the faecal microbiota of 35 healthy, full-term infants at 4, 30 and 90 days after delivery. A total of 148 gram-positive, catalase-negative cocci were isolated and tested for susceptibility to 12 different antibiotics by disk-diffusion technique. Multiplex PCR analysis was performed for the identification of Enterococcus spp. isolates and the simultaneous detection of vancomycin-resistance genes. PCR-based methodology was used also for identification of tetracycline and erythromycin resistance determinants. Identification results indicated E. faecalis as the predominant species (81 strains), followed by E. faecium, E. casseliflavus/E. flavescens and E. gallinarum. High prevalence of resistance to tetracycline (39.9%), erythromycin (35.1%), vancomycin (19.6%) and to nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors was detected. PCR data revealed 24 out of 52 erythromycin-resistant isolates carrying the ermB gene and 32 out of 59 tetracycline-resistant strains carrying tet genes, with tet(L) determinant being the most frequently detected. Only intrinsic vancomycin resistance (vanC1 and vanC2/C3) was reported among tested isolates. In conclusion, erythromycin and tetracycline acquired resistant traits are widespread among faecal cocci isolates from Greek, healthy infants under no apparent antimicrobial selective pressure.201021831766
5537120.9998Four novel Acinetobacter lwoffii strains isolated from the milk of cows in China with subclinical mastitis. BACKGROUND: Acinetobacter lwoffii (A. lwoffii) is a Gram-negative bacteria common in the environment, and it is the normal flora in human respiratory and digestive tracts. The bacteria is a zoonotic and opportunistic pathogen that causes various infections, including nosocomial infections. The aim of this study was to identify A. lwoffii strains isolated from bovine milk with subclinical mastitis in China and get a better understanding of its antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance profile. This is the first study to analyze the drug resistance spectrum and corresponding mechanisms of A. lwoffii isolated in raw milk. RESULTS: Four A. lwoffii strains were isolated by PCR method. Genetic evolution analysis using the neighbor-joining method showed that the four strains had a high homology with Acinetobacter lwoffii. The strains were resistant to several antibiotics and carried 17 drug-resistance genes across them. Specifically, among 23 antibiotics, the strains were completely susceptible to 6 antibiotics, including doxycycline, erythromycin, polymyxin, clindamycin, imipenem, and meropenem. In addition, the strains showed variable resistance patterns. A total of 17 resistance genes, including plasmid-mediated resistance genes, were detected across the four strains. These genes mediated resistance to 5 classes of antimicrobials, including beta-lactam, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, tetracycline, sulfonamides, and chloramphenicol. CONCLUSION: These findings indicated that multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter lwoffii strains exist in raw milk of bovine with subclinical mastitis. Acinetobacter lwoffii are widespread in natural environmental samples, including water, soil, bathtub, soap box, skin, pharynx, conjunctiva, saliva, gastrointestinal tract, and vaginal secretions. The strains carry resistance genes in mobile genetic elements to enhance the spread of these genes. Therefore, more attention should be paid to epidemiological surveillance and drug resistant A. lwoffii.202438918815
5921130.9998Prevalence of tetracycline resistance genes in oral bacteria. Tetracycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used in humans, animals, and aquaculture; therefore, many bacteria from different ecosystems are exposed to this antibiotic. In order to determine the genetic basis for resistance to tetracycline in bacteria from the oral cavity, saliva and dental plaque samples were obtained from 20 healthy adults who had not taken antibiotics during the previous 3 months. The samples were screened for the presence of bacteria resistant to tetracycline, and the tetracycline resistance genes in these isolates were identified by multiplex PCR and DNA sequencing. Tetracycline-resistant bacteria constituted an average of 11% of the total cultivable oral microflora. A representative 105 tetracycline-resistant isolates from the 20 samples were investigated; most of the isolates carried tetracycline resistance genes encoding a ribosomal protection protein. The most common tet gene identified was tet(M), which was found in 79% of all the isolates. The second most common gene identified was tet(W), which was found in 21% of all the isolates, followed by tet(O) and tet(Q) (10.5 and 9.5% of the isolates, respectively) and then tet(S) (2.8% of the isolates). Tetracycline resistance genes encoding an efflux protein were detected in 4.8% of all the tetracycline-resistant isolates; 2.8% of the isolates had tet(L) and 1% carried tet(A) and tet(K) each. The results have shown that a variety of tetracycline resistance genes are present in the oral microflora of healthy adults. This is the first report of tet(W) in oral bacteria and the first report to show that tet(O), tet(Q), tet(A), and tet(S) can be found in some oral species.200312604515
2083140.9998A classification system for plasmids from enterococci and other Gram-positive bacteria. A classification system for plasmids isolated from enterococci and other Gram-positive bacteria was developed based on 111 published plasmid sequences from enterococci and other Gram-positive bacteria; mostly staphylococci. Based on PCR amplification of conserved areas of the replication initiating genes (rep), alignment of these sequences and using a cutoff value of 80% identity on both protein and DNA level, 19 replicon families (rep-families) were defined together with several unique sequences. The prevalence of these rep-families was tested on 79 enterococcal isolates from a collection of isolates of animal and human origin. Difference in prevalence of the designed rep-families were detected with rep(9) being most prevalent in Enterococcus faecalis and rep(2) in Enterococcus faecium. In 33% of the tested E. faecium and 32% of the tested E. faecalis no positive amplicons were detected. Furthermore, conjugation experiments were performed obtaining 30 transconjugants when selecting for antimicrobial resistance. Among them 19 gave no positive amplicons indicating presence of rep-families not tested for in this experimental setup.201019879906
5900150.9998Safety profiles of beneficial lactic acid bacteria isolated from dairy systems. This study aimed to assess the safety aspects of 15 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains previously isolated from a dairy environment with relation to their beneficial features. LAB strains were assessed using phenotypic methods according to their production of virulence factors at 25 °C and 37 °C, as well as by examining their potential resistance to 15 antibiotics. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was also used to identify the presence of 50 genes associated with virulence factors and antibiotic resistance in the strains. None of the strains presented hemolytic activity or the production of gelatinase, lipase, deoxyribonuclease, or the tested biogenic amines. Based on the disk diffusion assay, all strains were resistant to oxacillin and sulfa/trimethoprim. Further, some were resistant to gentamicin (14), clindamycin (11), vancomycin (9), rifampicin (8), erythromycin (5), tetracycline (4), ampicillin (2), and chloramphenicol (1); no strain was resistant to imipenem. Regarding virulence- and antibiotic-resistance-related genes, 19 out of 50 tested genes were present in some strains; there was a variable association of expression. Based on the obtained data, the isolates presented relatively safe characteristics and behavior, findings that should lead to further studies to assess their potential usage as beneficial cultures in the food industry.202031970700
5909160.9998Antibiotic susceptibility profiles of Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus fermentum. Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus fermentum, which are commonly used as food processing aids and probiotics, can potentially act as reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes. Acquired resistance genes may be transferred via the food chain or in the gastrointestinal tract to pathogenic bacteria. Knowledge of the distributions of antibiotic MICs for a species is needed when using a phenotypic method to assess the presence of acquired resistance genes. In the present study, 56 L. reuteri and 56 L. fermentum strains that differed by source and spatial and temporal origin were assessed for antibiotic susceptibility using an Etest kit and a broth microdilution protocol. L. fermentum strains displayed a uniform distribution of MICs for all six antibiotics tested. L. reuteri strains had a bimodal distribution of MICs or a distribution with MICs above the test range for 7 of the 14 antibiotics tested. Genetic relatedness was observed among L. reuteri strains with high MICs for both ampicillin and tetracycline and among strains with high MICs for both erythromycin and clindamycin. Results obtained with the Etest and the broth microdilution method corresponded well with each other. Thus, further research may make it possible to define microbiological breakpoints for distinguishing between strains with and without acquired resistance genes.200717340877
2061170.9998Resistance carrying plasmid in a traumatic wound. OBJECTIVE: To isolate and identify antibiotic-resistant bacteria from the exudate of a complex wound and determine if antibiotic resistance genes are chromosomal or plasmid borne. METHOD: Antibiotic resistant bacteria from wound exudate of a single clinical sample were selected on agar media with ampicillin. A single colony was further screened for resistance to kanamycin by antibiotic-supplemented agar and to other antibiotics by an automated Phoenix instrument. Identification of the isolate was carried out by biochemical profiling and by 16S rDNA analysis. RESULTS: Approximately 51% of total bacteria in the wound exudate with identical colony morphotype were resistant to 100 microg/ml of ampicillin. A single colony from this population also demonstrated resistance to 50 microg/ml of kanamycin on kanamycin-supplemented agar. Further antimicrobial sensitivity testing by the Phoenix instrument indicated resistance to inhibitory concentrations of amoxicillin-clavulanate, ampicillin-sulbactam, cefazolin, gentamicin, nitrofurantoin, tobramycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Biochemical and 16S rDNA analysis identified this bacterial isolate as a member of genus Enterobacter. A plasmid preparation from this isolate successfully transferred ampicillin and kanamycin resistance to E. coli competent cells. E. coli transformants displayed two resistance phenotypes and the plasmids from these transformants displayed two different restriction type patterns, with one correlating to ampicillin and kanamycin resistance and the other only to ampicillin resistance. CONCLUSION: A multiple antibiotic-resistant Enterobacter spp. from the wound fluid of a clinical sample was found to carry an antibiotic-resistant plasmid in a closely related species E. coli. The presence of antibiotic resistance plasmid in Enterobacteria that are part of the normal microbial flora of the human gut and skin could lead to the spread of resistance phenotype and emergence of antibiotic resistant pathogens. This study suggests normal human microbial fl ora could be a potential reservoir for resistance genes.201020616773
5941180.9998Characterization of macrolide resistance genes in Haemophilus influenzae isolated from children with cystic fibrosis. OBJECTIVES: to determine the mechanism(s) of macrolide resistance in Haemophilus influenzae isolated from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients participating in a randomized placebo-controlled trial of azithromycin. METHODS: macrolide susceptibility, mutations and carriage of the macrolide resistance genes erm(A), erm(B), erm(C), erm(F) and mef(A) were determined using PCR assays and sequencing or hybridization of the PCR products. H. influenzae isolates were used as donors in conjugation studies with H. influenzae and Enterococcus faecalis recipients. Transconjugant susceptibility and the macrolide resistance genes carried were determined. RESULTS: of the 106 H. influenzae isolates, 27 were resistant and 78 intermediate resistant to azithromycin and/or erythromycin. All isolates carried one or more macrolide resistance gene(s), with the mef(A), erm(B) and erm(F) genes found in 74%, 31% and 29% of the isolates, respectively. None of the selected isolates had L4 or L22 mutations. Twenty-five donors, with various macrolide MICs, transferred macrolide resistance genes to H. influenzae Rd (3.5 × 10(-7)-1 × 10(-10)) and/or E. faecalis (1 × 10(-7)-1 × 10(-8)) recipients. The H. influenzae transconjugants were phenotypically resistant or intermediate to both macrolides while E. faecalis transconjugants were erythromycin resistant. CONCLUSIONS: this is the first identification of erm(A), erm(C) and erm(F) genes in H. influenzae or bacteria from CF patients and the first characterization of macrolide gene transfer from H. influenzae donors. The high level of H. influenzae macrolide gene carriage suggests that the use of azithromycin in the CF population may ultimately reduce the effectiveness of continued or repeated macrolide therapy.201121081549
2906190.9998The 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