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543600.9328Plasmid-Encoded Transferable mecB-Mediated Methicillin Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus. During cefoxitin-based nasal screening, phenotypically categorized methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was isolated and tested negative for the presence of the mecA and mecC genes as well as for the SCCmec-orfX junction region. The isolate was found to carry a mecB gene previously described for Macrococcus caseolyticus but not for staphylococcal species. The gene is flanked by β-lactam regulatory genes similar to mecR, mecI, and blaZ and is part of an 84.6-kb multidrug-resistance plasmid that harbors genes encoding additional resistances to aminoglycosides (aacA-aphD, aphA, and aadK) as well as macrolides (ermB) and tetracyclines (tetS). This further plasmidborne β-lactam resistance mechanism harbors the putative risk of acceleration or reacceleration of MRSA spread, resulting in broad ineffectiveness of β-lactams as a main therapeutic application against staphylococcal infections.201829350135
240310.9280Characterization of coagulase-negative staphylococci and macrococci isolated from cheese in Germany. Cheese, especially ripened varieties, harbor a very complex and heterogeneous microbiota. In addition to the desired microorganisms (starter cultures) added during cheese production, potentially harmful bacteria may also enter the production chain. Regarding the latter, the focus of this study was on coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) and Macrococcuscaseolyticus. Both are known to harbor a variety of genes coding for antibiotic resistance, including mecA, mecB, mecC, and mecD. Coagulase-negative staphylococci or macrococci carrying such genes or other virulence factors should not be present in cheese. Cheese samples (101 in total) were collected from retail sources. Coagulase-negative staphylococci and M. caseolyticus were isolated utilizing selective agars, and species were identified by phenotypical tests and partial sequencing of the sodA gene. The results allowed identification of 53 CNS strains and 19 M. caseolyticus strains. Among the CNS, 11 isolates of Staphylococcus saprophyticus and one Staphylococcus epidermidis isolate were obtained. Both species are potential human pathogens and may thus adversely affect the safety of these food products. Screening for antimicrobial resistance was performed by application of disc diffusion tests, a gradient strip-test, and 14 different PCR tests. Evidence for methicillin resistance (by either positive disc diffusion assay for cefoxitin or by mec PCR) was found in CNS isolates and M. caseolyticus (9 isolates each). Regarding other virulence factors, no genetic determinants for coagulase or the most common staphylococcal enterotoxins sea, seb, sec, sed, and see were detected in any of the CNS or M. caseolyticus isolates by PCR testing. In conclusion, the presence of facultatively pathogenic CNS and carriers of genes for antibiotic resistance in both groups of microorganisms, especially mec genes, and the respective food safety issues need further evaluation and surveillance.202235965117
518520.9274Genomic characterisation of nasal isolates of coagulase-negative Staphylococci from healthy medical students reveals novel Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec elements. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are a diverse group of Gram-positive bacteria that are part of the normal human microbiota. Once thought to be non-pathogenic, CoNS has emerged in recent years as opportunistic pathogens of concern particularly in healthcare settings. In this study, the genomes of four methicillin-resistant CoNS isolates obtained from the nasal swabs of healthy university medical students in Malaysia were sequenced using the Illumina short-read platform. Genome sequencing enabled the identification of the four isolates as Staphylococcus warneri UTAR-CoNS1, Staphylococcus cohnii subsp. cohnii UTAR-CoNS6, Staphylococcus capitis subsp. urealyticus UTAR-CoNS20, and Staphylococcus haemolyticus UTAR-CoNS26. The genome of S. cohnnii UTAR-CoNS6 harboured the mecA methicillin-resistance gene on a Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) element similar to SCCmec type XIV (5 A) but the SCCmec cassettes identified in the other three CoNS genomes were novel and untypeable. Some of these SCCmec elements also encoded heavy metal resistance genes while the SCCmec type XIV (5 A) variant in S. cohnii UTAR-CoNS6 harboured the complete ica operon, a known virulence factor that functions in biofilm formation. In S. cohnii UTAR-CoNS6, the macrolide resistance genes msrA and mphC along with copper and cadmium resistance genes were located on a 26,630 bp plasmid, pUCNS6. This study showcased the diversity of CoNS in the nasal microbiota of medical students but the discovery of novel SCCmec elements, various antimicrobial and heavy metal resistance along with virulence genes in these isolates is of concern and warrants vigilance due to the likelihood of spread, especially to hospitalised patients.202540595841
124430.9264Identification of antibiotic resistance genes in Escherichia coli from subclinical mastitis milk in dairy cows and goats, East Java Province. Antibiotics are still used to treat mastitis in dairy cows in Indonesia. This study aimed to analyse antibiotic resistance genes in Escherichia coli (E. coli) from subclinical mastitis milk in East Java Province, Indonesia. The samples consisted of subclinical mastitis milk from cows and goats. A total of 592-quarter cow's milk and 71 goat's milk samples from both halves of the udder were collected from 67 farms in Lumajang, Banyuwangi, Malang, Sidoarjo, Jember, Pasuruan, Probolinggo, and Mojokerto. Subclinical mastitis samples were screened using the California mastitis test (CMT). E. coli was identified by phenotypic and genotypic methods. E. coli was confirmed with a primer specific to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Gene resistance of E. coli was tested using the multiplex-PCR (mPCR) technique with primers encoding the genes temoneira enzyme (TEM), oxacillinase (OXA), sulfhydryl variable (SHV), and cefotaximase-munich IV (CTX-M IV). These genes were chosen because mastitis treatment generally uses oxacilline and β-lactam antibiotics. All data obtained were analysed descriptively. The results show that six isolates of E. coli (46.15%) carried a single resistance gene (TEM or SHV) and two isolates (33.33%) were confirmed as multiple drug-resistant organisms (MDROs) (TEM and SHV). The resistance genes were found in samples originating from Blitar, Banyuwangi, Lumajang, and Pasuruan Regencies. This research implies that antibiotic-resistance genes found in E. coli on certain farms are dangerous and may allow gene transmission to other bacteria that make treatment for mastitis or other bacterial infections ineffective.202438550619
541340.9264First detection of the staphylococcal trimethoprim resistance gene dfrK and the dfrK-carrying transposon Tn559 in enterococci. The trimethoprim resistance gene dfrK has been recently described in Staphylococcus aureus, but so far has not been found in other bacteria. A total of 166 enterococci of different species (E. faecium, E. faecalis, E. hirae, E. durans, E. gallinarum, and E. casseliflavus) and origins (food, clinical diseases in humans, healthy humans or animals, and sewage) were studied for their susceptibility to trimethoprim as determined by agar dilution (European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing) and the presence of (a) the dfrK gene and its genetic environment and (b) other dfr genes. The dfrK gene was detected in 49% of the enterococci (64% and 42% of isolates with minimum inhibitory concentrations of ≥2 mg/L or ≤1 mg/L, respectively). The tet(L)-dfrK linkage was detected in 21% of dfrK-positive enterococci. The chromosomal location of the dfrK gene was identified in one E. faecium isolate in which the dfrK was not linked to tet(L) gene but was part of a Tn559 element, which was integrated in the chromosomal radC gene. This Tn559 element was also found in 14 additional isolates. All combinations of dfr genes were detected among the isolates tested (dfrK, dfrG, dfrF, dfrK+dfrG, dfrK+dfrF, dfrF+dfrG, and dfrF+dfrG+dfrK). The gene dfrK gene was found together with other dfr genes in 58% of the tested enterococci. This study suggested an exchange of the trimethoprim resistance gene dfrK between enterococci and staphylococci, as previously observed for the trimethoprim resistance gene dfrG.201221718151
538150.9262Draft genome sequence of Staphylococcus urealyticus strain MUWRP0921, isolated from the urine of an adult female Ugandan. Staphylococcus urealyticus bacteria are pathogenic among immune-compromised individuals. A strain (MUWRP0921) of Staphylococcus urealyticus with a genome of 2,708,354 bp was isolated from Uganda and carries genes that are associated with antibiotic resistance, including resistance to macrolides (erm(C) and mph(C')), aminoglycosides (aac(6")-aph(2")), tetracyclines (tet(K)), and trimethoprim (dfrG).202438078696
299160.9260Occurrence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella species and potentially pathogenic Escherichia coli in free-living seals of Canadian Atlantic and eastern Arctic waters. Seal populations in Canadian waters provide sustenance to coastal communities. There is potential for pathogenic and/or antimicrobial-resistant bacteria to transfer to humans through inadvertent faecal contamination of seal products. The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence and potential antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes in faecal samples collected from grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and from ringed seals (Pusa hispida) in Frobisher Bay and Eclipse Sound, Nunavut, Canada. Grey seals were harvested during commercial hunts or during scientific sampling; ringed seals were collected by Inuit hunters during subsistence harvests. Virulence genes defining pathogenic E. coli were identified by PCR, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on recovered isolates. In grey seals, E. coli was detected in 34/44 (77%) samples, and pathogenic E. coli (extraintestinal E. coli [ExPEC], enteropathogenic E. coli [EPEC] or ExPEC/EPEC) was detected in 13/44 (29%) samples. Non-susceptibility to beta-lactams and quinolones was observed in isolates from 18 grey seals. In ringed seals from Frobisher Bay, E. coli was detected in 4/45 (9%) samples; neither virulence genes nor antimicrobial resistance was detected in these isolates. In ringed seals from Eclipse Sound, E. coli was detected in 8/50 (16%) samples and pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC and ExPEC/EPEC) in 5/50 (10%) samples. One seal from Eclipse Sound had an E. coli isolate resistant to beta-lactams. A monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium was recovered from 8/50 (16%) seals from Eclipse Sound. All Salmonella isolates were resistant to ampicillin, streptomycin, sulfisoxazole and tetracycline. L. monocytogenes was not detected in any sample. These findings suggest that seals may act as important sentinel species and as reservoirs or vectors for antimicrobial-resistant and virulent E. coli and Salmonella species. Further characterization of these isolates would provide additional insights into the source and spread of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes in these populations of free-living seals.202337317052
126770.9257Detection and characterization of methicillin-resistant and susceptible coagulase-negative staphylococci in milk from cows with clinical mastitis in Tunisia. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated prevalence of methicillin-resistant (MR) and methicillin-susceptible (MS) coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) and the implicated mechanisms of resistance and virulence in milk of mastitis cows. In addition, the presence of SCCmec type was analyzed in MR Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE). RESULTS: Three hundred milk samples from cows with clinical mastitis were obtained from 30 dairy farms in different regions of Tunisia. Sixty-eight of the 300 tested samples contained CNS strains. Various CNS species were identified, with Staphylococcus xylosus being the most frequently found (40%) followed by Staphylococcus warneri (12%). The mecA gene was present in 14 of 20 MR-CNS isolates. All of them were lacking the mecC gene. The SCCmecIVa was identified in four MRSE isolates. Most of CNS isolates showed penicillin resistance (70.6%) and 58.3% of them carried the blaZ gene. MR-CNS isolates (n = 20) showed resistance to erythromycin, tetracycline and trimethoprim-sulfametoxazole harboring different resistance genes such us erm(B), erm(T), erm(C), mph(C) or msr(A), tet(K) and dfr(A). However, a lower percentage of resistance was observed among 48 MS-CNS isolates: erythromycin (8.3%), tetracycline (6.2%), streptomycin (6.2%), clindamycin (6.2%), and trimethoprim-sulfametoxazole (2%). The Inu(B) gene was detected in one Staphylococcus xylosus strain that showed clindamycin resistance. The virulence gene tsst-1 was observed in one MR-CNS strain. DISCUSSION: Coagulase-negative staphylococci containing a diversity of antimicrobial resistance genes are frequently detected in milk of mastitis cows. This fact emphasizes the importance of identifying CNS when an intramammary infection is present because of the potential risk of lateral transfer of resistant genes among staphylococcal species and other pathogenic bacteria.201830077662
544080.9256Molecular structure and evolution of the conjugative multiresistance plasmid pRE25 of Enterococcus faecalis isolated from a raw-fermented sausage. Plasmid pRE25 from Enterococcus faecalis transfers resistances against kanamycin, neomycin, streptomycin, clindamycin, lincomycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, roxithromycin, tylosin, chloramphenicol, and nourseothricin sulfate by conjugation in vitro to E. faecalis JH2-2, Lactococcus lactis Bu2, and Listeria innocua L19. Its nucleotide sequence of 50237 base pairs represents the largest, fully sequenced conjugative multiresistance plasmid of enterococci (Plasmid 46 (2001) 170). The gene for chloramphenicol resistance (cat) was identified as an acetyltransferase identical to the one of plasmid pIP501 of Streptococcus agalactiae. Erythromycin resistance is due to a 23S ribosomal RNA methyl transferase, again as found in pIP501 (ermB). The aminoglycoside resistance genes are packed in tandem as in transposon Tn5405 of Staphylococcus aureus: an aminoglycoside 6-adenyltransferase, a streptothricin acetyl transferase, and an aminoglycoside phosphotransferase.). Identical resistance genes are known from pathogens like Streptococcus pyogenes, S. agalactiae, S. aureus, Campylobacter coli, Clostridium perfringens, and Clostridium difficile. pRE25 is composed of a 30.5-kbp segment almost identical to pIP501. Of the 15 genes involved in conjugative transfer, 10 codes for putative transmembrane proteins (e.g. trsB, traC, trsF, trsJ, and trsL). The enterococcal part is joined into the pIP501 part by insertion elements IS1216V of E. faecium Tn1545 (three copies), and homologs of IS1062 (E. faecalis) and IS1485 (E. faecium). pRE25 demonstrates that enterococci from fermented food do participate in the molecular communication between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria of the human and animal microflora.200314597005
299390.9256Antibiotic resistant zoonotic bacteria in Irrawaddy squirrel (Callosciurus pygerythrus). Irrawaddy squirrel (Callosciurus pygerythrus) may play an important role in the transmission of zoonotic bacteria, but little is known about the carriage of zoonotic bacteria in this common frugivorous rodent in Bangladesh. We aimed to investigate the presence of common zoonotic bacterial pathogens in Irrawaddy squirrel in the southeast part of Bangladesh. A total of 27 rectal and 27 oro-nasal swabs were collected from 27 healthy wild Irrawaddy squirrels. Four common zoonotic bacteria were isolated following routine laboratory procedures, and were identified based on colony morphology, and biochemical and staining properties. The pathogenic potential of the identified bacteria was confirmed by detection of virulence genes by PCR. All isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility test against seven antibiotics from six generic groups which are commonly used in human and veterinary medicine in Bangladesh. The prevalence of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Yersinia spp. and Staphylococcus spp. was 44.4% (95% CI, 32.0-57.6), 13% (95% CI, 6.1-24.7), 44.4% (95% CI, 32.0-57.6), and 72.2% (95% CI, 59.0-82.5), respectively. We identified potential zoonotic virulence genes in all of these four bacterial species. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed the presence of several multidrug resistant bacterial strains in squirrels. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in Bangladesh of the detection of antibiotic resistant zoonotic bacteria in Irrawaddy squirrels. The findings underpin the role of Irrawaddy squirrel as a source of pathogenic antibiotic resistant bacteria, consequently, fruit rejected because of squirrel consumption and squirrel-bites deserve more concern than previously.201930488592
6075100.9255Molecular screening of beneficial and safety determinants from bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria isolated from Brazilian artisanal calabresa. Despite of the beneficial relevance of several lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in the food industry, micro-organisms belonging to this group can determine spoilage in food products and carry a number of virulence and antibiotic resistance-related genes. This study aimed on the characterization of beneficial and safety aspects of five bacteriocinogenic LAB strains (Lactobacillus curvatus 12-named L. curvatus UFV-NPAC1), L. curvatus 36, Weissela viridescens 23, W. viridescens 31 and Lactococcus garvieae 36) isolated from an artisanal Brazilian calabresa, a traditional meat sausage. Regarding their beneficial aspects, all tested isolates were positive for mub, while EF226-cbp, EF1249-fbp and EF2380-maz were detected in at least one tested strain; none of the isolates presented map, EFTu or prgB. However, evaluated strains presented a variable pattern of virulence-related genes, but none of the strains presented gelE, cylA, efsA, cpd, int-Tn or sprE. Moreover, other virulence-related genes evaluated in this study were detected at different frequencies. L. curvatus 12 was generated positive results for ace, ccf, int, ermC, tetL, aac(6')-Ie-aph(2″)-Ia, aph(2″)-Ib, aph(2″)-Ic, bcrB, vanB and vanC2; L. curvatus 36: hyl, asa1, esp, int, ermC, tetK, aph(3')-IIIa, aph(2'')-Ic and vanC2; L. garvieae 32: asa1, ant(4')-Ia, aph(2'')-Ib, catA, vanA and vanC1; W. viridescens 23: esp, cob, ermB, aph(3')-IIIa, aph(2'')-Ic, vanA, vanB and vanC2; W. viridescens 31: hyl, esp, ermC, aph(3')-IIIa, aph(2'')-Ib, aph(2'')-Ic, catA, vanA and vanB. Despite presenting some beneficial aspects, the presence of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes jeopardize their utilization as starter or biopreservatives cultures in food products. Considering the inhibitory potential of these strains, an alternative would be the use of their bacteriocins as semi-purified or pure technological preparation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The food industry has a particular interest in using bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as starter, probiotics and/or biopreservatives in different food products. Characterization of additional beneficial features is important to identify new, multifunctional potential probiotic strains. However, these strains can only be applied in food products only after being properly characterized according their potential negative aspects, such as virulence and antibiotic resistance genes. A wide characterization of beneficial and safety aspects of bacteriocinogenic LAB is determinant to guide the proper utilization of these strains, or their purified bacteriocins, by the food industry.201931250457
1264110.9253Characterization of mannitol-fermenting methicillin-resistant staphylococci isolated from pigs in Nigeria. This study was conducted to determine the species distribution, antimicrobial resistance pheno- and genotypes and virulence traits of mannitol-positive methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) isolated from pigs in Nsukka agricultural zone, Nigeria. Twenty mannitol-positive methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococcal (MRCoNS) strains harboring the mecA gene were detected among the 64 Staphylococcus isolates from 291 pigs. A total of 4 species were identified among the MRCoNS isolates, namely, Staphylococcus sciuri (10 strains), Staphylococcus lentus (6 strains), Staphylococcus cohnii (3 strains) and Staphylococcus haemolyticus (one strain). All MRCoNS isolates were multidrug-resistant. In addition to β-lactams, the strains were resistant to fusidic acid (85%), tetracycline (75%), streptomycin (65%), ciprofloxacin (65%), and trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole (60%). In addition to the mecA and blaZ genes, other antimicrobial resistance genes detected were tet(K), tet(M), tet(L), erm(B), erm(C), aacA-aphD, aphA3, str, dfrK, dfrG, cat pC221, and cat pC223. Thirteen isolates were found to be ciprofloxacin-resistant, and all harbored a Ser84Leu mutation within the QRDR of the GyrA protein, with 3 isolates showing 2 extra substitutions, Ser98Ile and Arg100Lys (one strain) and Glu88Asp and Asp96Thr (2 strains). A phylogenetic tree of the QRDR nucleotide sequences in the gyrA gene revealed a high nucleotide diversity, with several major clusters not associated with the bacterial species. Our study highlights the possibility of transfer of mecA and other antimicrobial resistance genes from MRCoNS to pathogenic bacteria, which is a serious public health and veterinary concern.201526413075
1483120.9253Clinical Evaluation of the iCubate iC-GPC Assay for Detection of Gram-Positive Bacteria and Resistance Markers from Positive Blood Cultures. The iC-GPC Assay (iCubate, Huntsville, AL) is a qualitative multiplex test for the detection of five of the most common Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, and Enterococcus faecium) responsible for bacterial bloodstream infections, performed directly from positive blood cultures. The assay also detects the presence of the mecA, vanA, and vanB resistance determinants. This study comparatively evaluated the performance of the iC-GPC Assay against the Verigene Gram-positive blood culture (BC-GP) assay (Luminex Corp., Austin, TX) for 1,134 patient blood culture specimens positive for Gram-positive cocci. The iC-GPC Assay had an overall percent agreement with the BC-GP assay of 95.5%. Discordant specimens were further analyzed by PCR and a bidirectional sequencing method. The results indicate that the iC-GPC Assay together with the iCubate system is an accurate and reliable tool for the detection of the five most common Gram-positive bacteria and their resistance markers responsible for bloodstream infections.201829899000
2433130.9251Confirmed low prevalence of Listeria mastitis in she-camel milk delivers a safe, alternative milk for human consumption. She-camel milk is an alternative solution for people allergic to milk; unfortunately, potential harmful bacteria have not been tested in she-camel milk. Listeria monocytogenes is one harmful bacterium that causes adverse health effects if chronically or acutely ingested by humans. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence, characterize the phenotypic, genetic characterization, virulence factors, and antibiopotential harmful bacteria resistance profile of Listeria isolated from the milk of she-camel. Udder milk samples were collected from 100 she-camels and screened for mastitis using the California mastitis test (46 healthy female camels, 24 subclinical mastitic animals and 30 clinical mastitic animals). Samples were then examined for the presence of pathogenic Listeria spp; if located, the isolation of Listeria was completed using the International Organization for Standards technique to test for pathogenicity. The isolates were subjected to PCR assay for virulence-associated genes. Listeria spp. were isolated from 4% of samples and only 1.0% was confirmed as L. monocytogenes. The results of this study provide evidence for the low prevalence of intramammary Listeria infection; additionally, this study concludes she-camel milk in healthy camels milked and harvested in proper hygienic conditions may be used as alternative milk for human consumption.201424161878
1254140.9250Genetic diversity and antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus from recurrent tonsillitis in children. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in the tonsils of children subjected tonsillectomy due to recurrent tonsilitis and to determine the spa types of the pathogens, carriage of virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance profiles. The study included 73 tonsillectomized children. Bacteria, including S. aureus were isolated from tonsillar surface prior to tonsillectomy, recovered from tonsillar core at the time of the surgery, and from posterior pharynx 2-4 weeks after the procedure. Staphylococcus aureus isolates were compared by spa typing, tested for antimicrobial susceptibility and for the presence of superantigenic toxin genes (sea-seu, eta, etb, tst, lukS/lukF-PV) by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Seventy-three patients (mean 7.1 ± 4.1 years, 61.6% male) were assessed. The most commonly isolated bacteria were S. aureus. The largest proportion of staphylococcal isolates originated from tonsillar core (63%), followed by tonsillar surface (45.1%) and posterior pharynx in tonsillectomized children (18.2%, p = 0.007). Five (6.3%) isolates were identified as MRSA (mecA-positive). Up to 67.5% of the isolates synthesized penicillinases (blaZ-positive isolates), and 8.8% displayed MLS(B) resistance. The superantigenic toxin genes were detected in more than half of examined isolates (56.3%). spa types t091, t084, and t002, and clonal complexes (CCs) CC7, CC45, and CC30 turned out to be most common. Staphylococcus aureus associated with RT in children showed pathogenicity potential and considerable genetic diversity, and no clones were found to be specific for this condition although further studies are needed.202031692060
1266150.9250Characterization of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci in milk from cows with mastitis in Brazil. Staphylococci are one of the most prevalent microorganisms in bovine mastitis. Staphylococcus spp. are widespread in the environment, and can infect animals and humans as opportunistic pathogens. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of methicillin-resistance (MR) among coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) previously obtained from milk of mastitic cows in Brazil and to characterize the antimicrobial resistance phenotype/genotype and the SCCmec type of MRCoNS isolates. Identification of MRCoNS was based on both biochemical and molecular methods. Susceptibility testing for eleven antimicrobials was performed by disk-diffusion agar. Antimicrobial resistance genes and SCCmec were investigated by specific PCRs. Twenty-six MRCoNS were detected (20 % of total CoNS), obtained from 24 animals, and were identified as follows: S. epidermidis (7 isolates), S. chromogenes (7), S. warneri (6), S. hyicus (5) and S. simulans (1). All MRCoNS isolates carried mecA while the mecC gene was not detected in any CoNS. The SCCmec IVa was demonstrated in nine MRCoNS, while the remaining 17 isolates harbored non-typeable SCCmec cassettes. In addition to oxacillin and cefoxitin resistance, MRCoNS showed resistance to tetracycline (n = 7), streptomycin (n = 6), tobramycin (n = 6), and gentamicin (n = 4), and harbored the genes tet(K) (n = 7), str (n = 3), ant(4') (n = 6) and aac(6')-aph(2″) (n = 4), respectively. In addition, seven strains showed intermediate resistance to clindamycin and two to streptomycin, of which two harboured the lnu(B) and lsa(E) genes and two the aad(E) gene, respectively. One isolate presented intermediate erythromycin and clindamycin resistance and harbored an erm(C) gene with an uncommon 89-bp deletion rendering a premature stop codon. MRCoNS can be implicated in mastitis of cows and they constitute a reservoir of resistance genes that can be transferred to other pathogenic bacteria.201424817534
5834160.9248Real-Time PCR to Identify Staphylococci and Assay for Virulence from Blood. The genus Staphylococcus includes pathogenic and non-pathogenic facultative anaerobes. Due to the plethora of virulence factors encoded in its genome, the species Staphylococcus aureus is known to be the most pathogenic. S. aureus strains harboring genes encoding virulence and antibiotic resistance are of public health importance. In clinical samples, however, pathogenic S. aureus is often mixed with putatively less pathogenic coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), both of which can harbor mecA, the genetic driver for staphylococcal methicillin-resistance. In this chapter, the detailed practical procedure for operating a real-time pentaplex PCR assay in blood cultures is described. The pentaplex real-time PCR assay simultaneously detects markers for the presence of bacteria (16S rRNA), coagulase-negative staphylococcus (cns), S. aureus (spa), Panton-Valentine leukocidin (pvl), and methicillin resistance (mecA).201728600770
2404170.9247Prevalence of the Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Coagulase-Positive-and Negative-Staphylococcus in Chicken Meat Retailed to Consumers. The use of antibiotics in farm management (growing crops and raising animals) has become a major area of concern. Its implications is the consequent emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and accordingly their access into the human food chain with passage of antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) to the normal human intestinal microbiota and hence to other pathogenic bacteria causative human disease. Therefore, we pursued in this study to unravel the frequency and the quinolone resistance determining region, mecA and cfr genes of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCNS) and methicillin-susceptible coagulase-negative staphylococci (MSCNS) isolated from the retail trade of ready-to-eat raw chicken meat samples collected during 1 year and sold across the Great Cairo area. The 50 Staphylococcus isolated from retail raw chicken meat were analyzed for their antibiotic resistance phenotypic profile on 12 antibiotics (penicillin, oxacillin, methicillin, ampicillin-sulbactam, erythromycin, tetracycline, clindamycin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and vancomycin) and their endorsement of the quinolone resistance determining region, mecA and cfr genes. The isolation results revealed 50 isolates, CPS (14) and CNS (36), representing ten species (S. aureus, S. hyicus, S. epidermedius, S. lugdunensis, S. haemolyticus, S. hominus, S. schleiferi, S. cohnii, S. intermedius, and S. lentus). Twenty seven isolates were methicillin-resistant. Out of the characterized 50 staphylococcal isolates, three were MRSA but only 2/3 carried the mecA gene. The ARG that bestows resistance to quinolones, β-lactams, macrolides, lincosamides, and streptogramin B [MLS((B))] in MRSA and MR-CNS were perceived. According to the available literature, the present investigation was a unique endeavor into the identification of the quinolone-resistance-determining-regions, the identification of MRSA and MR-CNS from retail chicken meat in Egypt. In addition, these isolates might indicate the promulgation of methicillin, oxacillin and vancomycin resistance in the community and imply food safety hazards.201627920760
1748180.9247Detection of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria from imported reptile and amphibian meats. AIMS: The food supply is a potential source of antimicrobial resistance. Current surveillance programmes targeting food are limited to beef, pork and poultry and do not capture niche products. In this study, imported reptile and amphibian products were screened for antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. METHODS AND RESULTS: In all, 53 items including soft shell turtles, frog legs, geckos, snakes and a turtle carapace were purchased from specialty markets in Vancouver and Saskatoon, Canada. Samples were selectively cultured for Salmonella sp., Escherichia coli, extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae and meropenem-resistant organisms. Salmonella, all pan-susceptible, were grown from six dried geckos. Escherichia coli were isolated from 19 samples, including ESBL producers from six items. One multidrug-resistant E. coli possessed both the bla(CTX-M-55) and mcr-1 genes. An NDM-1-producing Acinetobacter sp. was also isolated from a dried turtle carapace. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that imported reptile and amphibian meats are an underappreciated source of resistant bacteria. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The international trade of food may play a role in the dissemination of resistant bacteria. The presence of these bacteria in niche market foods represents a risk of unknown magnitude to public health and a gap in current national resistance surveillance programmes.202032259384
101190.9247The encapsulated strain TIGR4 of Streptococcus pneumoniae is phagocytosed but is resistant to intracellular killing by mouse microglia. The polysaccharide capsule is a major virulence factor of Streptococcus pneumoniae as it confers resistance to phagocytosis. The encapsulated serotype 4 TIGR4 strain was shown to be efficiently phagocytosed by the mouse microglial cell line BV2, whereas the type 3 HB565 strain resisted phagocytosis. Comparing survival after uptake of TIGR4 or its unencapsulated derivative FP23 in gentamicin protection and phagolysosome maturation assays, it was shown that TIGR4 was protected from intracellular killing. Pneumococcal capsular genes were up-regulated in intracellular TIGR4 bacteria recovered from microglial cells. Actual presence of bacteria inside BV2 cells was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for both TIGR4 and FP23 strains, but typical phagosomes/phagolysosomes were detected only in cells infected with the unencapsulated strain. In a mouse model of meningitis based on intracranic inoculation of pneumococci, TIGR4 caused lethal meningitis with an LD(50) of 2 × 10² CFU, whereas the LD(50) for the unencapsulated FP23 was greater than 10⁷ CFU. Phagocytosis of TIGR4 by microglia was also demonstrated by TEM and immunohistochemistry on brain samples from infected mice. The results indicate that encapsulation does not protect the TIGR4 strain from phagocytosis by microglia, while it affords resistance to intracellular killing.201020615478