# | Rank | Similarity | Title + Abs. | Year | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 5856 | 0 | 0.9923 | Amplification of DNA from native populations of soil bacteria by using the polymerase chain reaction. Specific DNA sequences from native bacterial populations present in soil, sediment, and sand samples were amplified by using the polymerase chain reaction with primers for either "universal" eubacterial 16S rRNA genes or mercury resistance (mer) genes. With standard amplification conditions, 1.5-kb rDNA fragments from all 12 samples examined and from as little as 5 micrograms of soil were reproducibly amplified. A 1-kb mer fragment from one soil sample was also amplified. The identity of these amplified fragments was confirmed by DNA-DNA hybridization. | 1992 | 1444376 |
| 5222 | 1 | 0.9921 | Resistance to macrolides by ribosomal mutation in clinical isolates of Turicella otitidis. The genetic basis of erythromycin resistance in Turicella otitidis, a coryneform bacteria associated with otitis, was studied in five macrolide-resistant clinical isolates. Macrolide resistance genes were searched for by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genes for domain V of 23S rRNA (rrl) as well as rplD (L4 protein) and rplV (L22 protein) genes were characterised, amplified by PCR from total genomic DNA and sequenced. In the resistant isolates, cross-resistance to macrolides and clindamycin was associated with mutations at positions 2058 and/or 2059 (Escherichia coli numbering). Three isolates displayed A2058 mutations, one isolate had an A2059G mutation whereas another one contained mutations at positions 2058 and 2059. Southern blot experiments revealed that T. otitidis had three copies of the rrl gene. In conclusion, resistance to macrolides in T. otitidis is due, at least in part, to mutations in the rrl gene. | 2009 | 19414240 |
| 829 | 2 | 0.9918 | Loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for 16S rRNA methylase genes in Gram-negative bacteria. Using the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method, we developed a rapid assay for detection of 16S rRNA methylase genes (rmtA, rmtB, and armA), and investigated 16S rRNA methylase-producing strains among clinical isolates. Primer Explorer V3 software was used to design the LAMP primers. LAMP primers were prepared for each gene, including two outer primers (F3 and B3), two inner primers (FIP and BIP), and two loop primers (LF and LB). Detection was performed with the Loopamp DNA amplification kit. For all three genes (rmtA, rmtB, and armA), 10(2) copies/tube could be detected with a reaction time of 60 min. When nine bacterial species (65 strains saved in National Institute of Infectious Diseases) were tested, which had been confirmed to possess rmtA, rmtB, or armA by PCR and DNA sequencing, the genes were detected correctly in these bacteria with no false negative or false positive results. Among 8447 clinical isolates isolated at 36 medical institutions, the LAMP method was conducted for 191 strains that were resistant to aminoglycosides based on the results of antimicrobial susceptibility tests. Eight strains were found to produce 16S rRNA methylase (0.09%), with rmtB being identified in three strains (0.06%) of 4929 isolates of Enterobacteriaceae, rmtA in three strains (0.10%) of 3284 isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and armA in two strains (0.85%) of 234 isolates of Acinetobacter spp. At present, the incidence of strains possessing 16S rRNA methylase genes is very low in Japan. However, when Gram-negative bacteria showing high resistance to aminoglycosides are isolated by clinical laboratories, it seems very important to investigate the status of 16S rRNA methylase gene-harboring bacilli and monitor their trends among Japanese clinical settings. | 2014 | 25179393 |
| 820 | 3 | 0.9917 | Nucleotide sequence analysis of a transposon (Tn5393) carrying streptomycin resistance genes in Erwinia amylovora and other gram-negative bacteria. A class II Tn3-type transposable element, designated Tn5393 and located on plasmid pEa34 from streptomycin-resistant strain CA11 of Erwinia amylovora, was identified by its ability to move from pEa34 to different sites in plasmids pGEM3Zf(+) and pUCD800. Nucleotide sequence analysis reveals that Tn5393 consists of 6,705 bp with 81-bp terminal inverted repeats and generates 5-bp duplications of the target DNA following insertion. Tn5393 contains open reading frames that encode a putative transposase (tnpA) and resolvase (tnpR) of 961 and 181 amino acids, respectively. The two open reading frames are separated by a putative recombination site (res) consisting of 194 bp. Two streptomycin resistance genes, strA and strB, were identified on the basis of their DNA sequence homology to streptomycin resistance genes in plasmid RSF1010. StrA is separated from tnpR by a 1.2-kb insertion element designated IS1133. The tnpA-res-tnpR region of Tn5393 was detected in Pseudomonas syringae pv. papulans Psp36 and in many other gram-negative bacteria harboring strA and strB. Except for some strains of Erwinia herbicola, these other gram-negative bacteria lacked insertion sequence IS1133. The prevalence of strA and strB could be accounted for by transposition of Tn5393 to conjugative plasmids that are then disseminated widely among gram-negative bacteria. | 1993 | 8380801 |
| 5086 | 4 | 0.9916 | Detection of genetically modified microorganisms in soil using the most-probable-number method with multiplex PCR and DNA dot blot. The principal objective of this study was to detect genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs) that might be accidentally released into the environment from laboratories. Two methods [plate counting and most-probable-number (MPN)] coupled with either multiplex PCR or DNA dot blots were compared using genetically modified Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida, and Acinetobacter oleivorans harboring an antibiotic-resistance gene with additional gfp and lacZ genes as markers. Alignments of sequences collected from databases using the Perl scripting language (Perl API) and from denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that the gfp, lacZ and antibiotic-resistance genes (kanamycin, tetracycline, and ampicillin) in GMMs differed from the counterpart genes in many sequenced genomes and in soil DNA. Thus, specific multiplex PCR primer sets for detection of plasmid-based gfp and lacZ antibiotic-resistance genes could be generated. In the plate counting method, many antibiotic-resistant bacteria from a soil microcosm grew as colonies on antibiotic-containing agar plates. The multiplex PCR verification of randomly selected antibiotic-resistant colonies with specific primers proved ineffective. The MPN-multiplex PCR method and antibiotic-resistant phenotype could be successfully used to detect GMMs, although this method is quite laborious. The MPN-DNA dot blot method screened more cells at a time in a microtiter plate containing the corresponding antibiotics, and was shown to be a more efficient method for the detection of GMMs in soil using specific probes in terms of labor and accuracy. | 2011 | 21810467 |
| 2241 | 5 | 0.9916 | Standard and real-time multiplex PCR methods for detection of trimethoprim resistance dfr genes in large collections of bacteria. Two multiplex PCR (mPCR) methods were developed to screen large collections of trimethoprim-resistant Escherichia coli isolates for the most prevalent resistance determinants. Five common integron-carried genes (dfrA1, dfrA5, dfrA7, dfrA12 and dfrA17) were selected as PCR targets. Primers and conditions for standard mPCRs and real-time mPCRs were selected and tested. Two protocols using essentially the same primer pairs were established. The standard mPCR protocol also included an internal control targeting the E. coli 16S rRNA gene. Both protocols proved to be sensitive and specific for detection of the five selected genes. Screening of three different collections of clinical urinary and blood isolates (n = 368) with the two multiplex methods revealed that the five dfr genes accounted for 75-86% of trimethoprim resistance. The standard mPCR is useful and accessible for most laboratories, while the real-time mPCR requires additional equipment and expensive reagents, but is very convenient for high-throughput screening of large collections of bacterial isolates. | 2007 | 17725650 |
| 5861 | 6 | 0.9915 | Distribution of genes conferring combined resistance to tetracycline and minocycline among group B streptococcal isolates from humans and various animals. Forty-nine tetracycline and minocycline resistant streptococci of serological group B isolated from humans, cattle, pigs and nutrias were investigated for the presence of genes conferring this combined resistance. Southern blot hybridization of EcoRI-digested chromosomal DNA of the bacteria revealed for 39 of the cultures a hybridization signal with tet(M), for four of the cultures a hybridization signal with tet(O) and for none of the cultures a hybridization signal with the tet(Q) gene probe. The restriction endonuclease digested and blotted DNA of six tetracycline and minocycline resistant group B streptococci did not hybridize with any of the available gene probes. The tet(M) gene probes recognized complementary sequences of EcoRI fragments of approximately 10.5 kb and 21.5 kb, the tet(O) gene probe hybridized with fragments of approximately 19 kb. The hybridization of the tet(M) gene probe in two different patterns appeared to be related to the origin of the cultures. | 1994 | 7727901 |
| 5875 | 7 | 0.9915 | Detection of the staphylococcal multiresistance gene cfr in Macrococcus caseolyticus and Jeotgalicoccus pinnipedialis. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the presence and the genetic environment of the multiresistance gene cfr in Jeotgalicoccus pinnipedialis and Macrococcus caseolyticus from pigs. METHODS: A total of 391 bacterial isolates with florfenicol MICs ≥16 mg/L were obtained from nasal swabs of 557 individual pigs; of these, 75 Gram-positive isolates other than staphylococci and enterococci were screened by PCR for the presence of known florfenicol resistance genes. Species assignments of the cfr-carrying isolates were based on the results of biochemical profiling and 16S rDNA sequencing. The locations of the cfr gene were determined by Southern blotting. Regions flanking each cfr gene were sequenced by a modified random primer walking strategy, and the transferability of cfr was assessed by electrotransformation. RESULTS: Two M. caseolyticus isolates and one J. pinnipedialis isolate were cfr positive. The cfr gene was located either on a 7057 bp plasmid, pSS-03, which was widely distributed among staphylococci of pig origin, or on the ∼53 kb plasmid pJP1. The region of pJP1 that included the cfr gene and the adjacent IS21-558, showed 99.7% identity to the corresponding region of plasmid pSCFS3. In addition, the genes aadD + aacA-aphD, ble and erm(C), coding for aminoglycoside, bleomycin and macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B resistance, respectively, were also identified on plasmid pJP1. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that plasmids carrying the multidrug resistance gene cfr are present in two new genera of commensal and environmental bacteria, Macrococcus and Jeotgalicoccus. This observation underlines the role of commensal and environmental flora in the dissemination of clinically important resistance genes, such as cfr. | 2012 | 22577104 |
| 5858 | 8 | 0.9915 | Distribution and diversity of tetracycline resistance genes encoding ribosomal protection proteins in Mekong river sediments in Vietnam. We investigated the distribution and diversity of tetracycline resistance genes encoding ribosomal protection proteins (RPPs) in river and channel sediments of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. The sediment samples were taken from nine sites in the Hau River in southern Vietnam and from 1 site in a channel in Can Tho City in May 2004 using an Ekman-Birge sediment surface sampler. The RPP genes were amplified using PCR with DNA templates obtained directly from the sediments. The tet(M), tet(S), and tet(W) genes were detected by PCR in most sediment samples. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of these genes and sequencing of the resulting bands showed that tet(S) and tet(W) had only one genotype each, but that tet(M) had at least two, which were tentatively called type 1 and type 2. Type 1 tet(M) was identical to the gene encoded in various plasmids and transposons of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, and type 2tet(M) was similar to the gene encoded in Tn1545 of Enterococcus faecalis (99% identity, 170 bp/171 bp). This study showed that various RPP genes were widely distributed in the river and channel sediments of the Mekong Delta. | 2007 | 17214735 |
| 821 | 9 | 0.9914 | DNA probes for studying streptothricin resistance evolution in enteric bacteria. Probes for the detection of streptothricin resistance genes have been derived from recombinant plasmids. These include the streptothricin resistance gene probe sat 1/2 derived from Tn 1826 and specific for both the sat-1 determinant of Tn 1825 and the sat-2 determinant of Tn 1826, and the probe sat D derived from and specific for the sat-1 determinant of transposon Tn 1825. A third streptothricin resistance gene probe, sat 3, represents the streptothricin resistance determinant sat-3 of the IncQ R plasmid pIE639. Hybridization studies did not reveal any sequence homology between sat-3 and the transposon-localized sat-1 and sat-2 determinants. Moreover, non of the different sat-determinants isolated from plasmids of gram negative bacteria hybridized with the analogous resistance determinant of Streptomyces noursei, which had been cloned and named nat by Krügel et al. (Gene, 1988, 62, 209-214). The sat 1/2 probe in combination with the sat D probe proved to be suitable for the identification and the differentiation of sat-1 and sat-2 determinants in different genetic environments. Streptothricin resistance genes related to those present on transposons Tn 1825 and Tn 1826 have been detected by hybridization with the probe sat 1/2 on plasmids isolated a long time ago before the application of streptothricins. The sat-3 determinant appears to be exclusively associated with the IncQ plasmid pIE639. | 1990 | 2166786 |
| 1337 | 10 | 0.9914 | Biofilm formation, antimicrobial assay, and toxin-genotypes of Clostridium perfringens type C isolates cultured from a neonatal Yangtze finless porpoise. This is a culture-dependent study with the objective of pure culturing and characterizing pathogenic bacteria from the blowhole, lung, stomach and fecal samples of a neonatal crucially endangered Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) that died 27 days after birth. Bacteria were inoculated using a swab onto blood and MacConkey agar plates and representative isolates were identified through 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. A total of three Clostridium perfringens type C strains from the fecal samples were isolated. Toxin genes, including cpa, cpb and cpb2, were detected by PCR amplification, whereas the etx, iap and cpe genes were not detected. Biofilm formation of the three strains was then examined. Only one strain was capable of biofilm formation. In addition, isolates showed strong resistance against the antibiotics amikacin (3/3), erythromycin (1/3), gentamicin (3/3), streptomycin (3/3), and trimethoprim (3/3), while sensitivity to ampicillin (3/3), bacitracin (3/3), erythromycin (2/3), penicillin G (3/3), and tetracycline (3/3). The results suggested C. perfringens type C could have contributed to the death of this neonatal porpoise. | 2022 | 35662380 |
| 5085 | 11 | 0.9914 | Multiplex asymmetric PCR-based oligonucleotide microarray for detection of drug resistance genes containing single mutations in Enterobacteriaceae. A multiplex asymmetric PCR (MAPCR)-based microarray method was developed for the detection of 10 known extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and plasmid-mediated AmpC beta-lactamase genes in gram-negative bacteria and for the typing of six important point mutations (amino acid positions 35, 43, 130, 179, 238, and 240) in the bla(SHV) gene. The MAPCR is based on a two-round reaction to promote the accumulation of the single-stranded amplicons amenable for microarray hybridization by employing multiple universal unrelated sequence-tagged primers and elevating the annealing temperature at the second round of amplification. A strategy to improve the discrimination efficiency of the microarray was constituted by introducing an artificial mismatch into some of the allele-specific oligonucleotide probes. The microarray assay correctly identified the resistance genes in both the reference strains and some 111 clinical isolates, and these results were also confirmed for some isolates by direct DNA sequence analysis. The resistance genotypes determined by the microarray correlated closely with phenotypic MIC susceptibility testing. This fast MAPCR-based microarray method should prove useful for undertaking important epidemiological studies concerning ESBLs and plasmid-mediated AmpC enzymes and could also prove invaluable as a preliminary screen to supplement phenotypic testing for clinical diagnostics. | 2007 | 17646412 |
| 2007 | 12 | 0.9913 | Novel ISCR1-linked resistance genes found in multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria in southern China. Non-duplicate multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria (n=1329) isolated from southern China between January 2008 and December 2009 were investigated for the presence of ISCR1 as well as characterisation of ISCR1-linked resistance genes. Of 433 ISCR1-positive strains, 151 appeared to carry ISCR1-linked resistance genes. Seven different ISCR1-linked resistance gene arrays were identified by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and DNA sequencing analysis. Many of these arrays are reported in some species for the first time. A total of 12 genes, including a novel ABC transporter (GenBank accession no. GU944725), qnrA1, qnrB2, qnrB6, bla(DHA-1), ampR, bla(CTX-M-9), bla(PER-1), insB, sapA-like peptide transport periplasmic protein, putative glutathione S-transferase and short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase, were detected. This study was the first to employ PCR-RFLP using HinfI and RsaI to analyse ISCR1-linked genes. ISCR1 was widely disseminated among MDR Gram-negative bacteria and was in close association with quinolone resistance and β-lactamase genes (class A and class C) in southern China. | 2012 | 22890194 |
| 2013 | 13 | 0.9913 | Identification and characterization of class 1 integrons in bacteria from an aquatic environment. In a survey of 3000 Gram-negative bacteria isolated from an estuarine environment over a 2 month period, the incidence of class 1 integrons was determined to be 3.6%. Of 85 integrons studied further, 11 lacked both the qacEdelta1 and sull genes usually present in the 3' conserved segment of the integron. The qacEdelta1 and sull genes were identified in the 3' conserved segment of 36 integrons. The remaining 38 integrons lacked a sull gene but contained a qacE gene. The variable region of 74 integrons was characterized by PCR and sequence analysis. Forty of the integrons were found to lack integrated gene cassettes, although 21 of these 'empty' integrons were shown to contain inserted DNA which has been tentatively identified as a novel insertion sequence (IS) element. Of the 34 integrons which contained inserted gene cassettes, the aadA1a gene was found to be the most prevalent (74%). Nineteen integrons contained additional or other gene cassettes in their variable region, including those encoding resistance to trimethoprim (dfr1a, dfrIIc, dfrV, dfrVII, dfrXII), chloramphenicol (catB3, catB5), aminoglycosides (aadA2, aacA4, aacC1), beta-lactamases (oxa2) and erythromycin (ereA). This study confirms the occurrence of integrons in bacteria from a natural habitat and suggests that in the absence of continued antibiotic selective pressures, integrons which persist appear to preferentially exist without integrated antibiotic resistance gene cassettes. | 1999 | 10459805 |
| 434 | 14 | 0.9913 | Homologous Streptomycin Resistance Gene Present among Diverse Gram-Negative Bacteria in New York State Apple Orchards. The streptomycin resistance gene of Pseudomonas syringae pv. papulans Psp36 was cloned into Escherichia coli and used to develop a 500-bp DNA probe that is specific for streptomycin resistance in P. syringae pv. papulans. The probe is a portion of a 1-kb region shared by three different DNA clones of the resistance gene. In Southern hybridizations, the probe hybridized only with DNA isolated from streptomycin-resistant strains of P. syringae pv. papulans and not with the DNA of streptomycin-sensitive strains. Transposon insertions within the region of DNA shared by the three clones resulted in loss of resistance to streptomycin. Colony hybridization of bacteria isolated from apple leaves and orchard soil indicated that 39% of 398 streptomycin-resistant bacteria contained DNA that hybridized to the probe. These included all strains of P. syringae pv. papulans and some other fluorescent pseudomonads and nonfluorescent gram-negative bacteria, but none of the gram-positive bacteria. The same-size restriction fragments hybridized to the probe in P. syringae pv. papulans. Restriction fragment length polymorphism of this region was occasionally observed in strains of other taxonomic groups of bacteria. In bacteria other than P. syringae pv. papulans, the streptomycin resistance probe hybridized to different-sized plasmids and no relationship between plasmid size and taxonomic group or between plasmid size and orchard type, soil association, or leaf association could be detected. | 1991 | 16348415 |
| 1173 | 15 | 0.9911 | Investigation of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates. AIMS: To investigate plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes have been identified in many bacteria within the Enterobactericeae family, they have not been detected in P. aeruginosa isolates. Subjects and Methods : Identification of the isolates and testing of antibiotic susceptibility was performed in Vitek2 Compact (Biomeriux, France) and Phoinex (BD, USA) automated systems. Screening for the qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, qnrC, aac (6')-Ib-cr and qepA genes was carried out by PCR amplification and aac (6')-Ib-cr DNA sequencing. RESULTS: The qnr and the qepA genes were not detected in any of P. aeruginosa isolates. The aac (6')-Ib gene was detected in six of the isolates and positive isolates for aac (6')-Ib were sequenced for detection of the aac (6')-Ib-cr variant but aac (6')-Ib-cr was not detected in any isolates. CONCLUSIONS: Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes have so far not been identified in P. aeruginosa isolates. However, qnrB have detected in P. florescens and P. putida isolates. This is the first study conducted on the qnrA, qnrB, qnrS and qnrC genes as well as the qepA and aac (6')-Ib-cr genes in P. aeruginosa clinical isolates. | 2014 | 25008822 |
| 818 | 16 | 0.9911 | Characterization of a staphylococcal plasmid related to pUB110 and carrying two novel genes, vatC and vgbB, encoding resistance to streptogramins A and B and similar antibiotics. We isolated and sequenced a plasmid, named pIP1714 (4,978 bp), which specifies resistance to streptogramins A and B and the mixture of these compounds. pIP1714 was isolated from a Staphylococcus cohnii subsp. cohnii strain found in the environment of a hospital where pristinamycin was extensively used. Resistance to both compounds and related antibiotics is encoded by two novel, probably cotranscribed genes, (i) vatC, encoding a 212-amino-acid (aa) acetyltransferase that inactivates streptogramin A and that exhibits 58.2 to 69.8% aa identity with the Vat, VatB, and SatA proteins, and (ii) vgbB, encoding a 295-aa lactonase that inactivates streptogramin B and that shows 67% aa identity with the Vgb lactonase. pIP1714 includes a 2,985-bp fragment also found in two rolling-circle replication and mobilizable plasmids, pUB110 and pBC16, from gram-positive bacteria. In all three plasmids, the common fragment was delimited by two direct repeats of four nucleotides (GGGC) and included (i) putative genes closely related to repB, which encodes a replication protein, and to pre(mob), which encodes a protein required for conjugative mobilization and site-specific recombination, and (ii) sequences very similar to the double- and single-strand origins (dso, ssoU) and the recombination site, RSA. The antibiotic resistance genes repB and pre(mob) carried by each of these plasmids were found in the same transcriptional orientation. | 1998 | 9661023 |
| 2011 | 17 | 0.9911 | Molecular epidemiology of two genes encoding 3-N-aminoglycoside acetyltransferases AAC(3)I and AAC(3)II among gram-negative bacteria from a Spanish hospital. The molecular epidemiology of the aacC1 and aacC2 genes, encoding 3-N-aminoglycoside acetyltransferases AAC(3)I and AAC(3)II, respectively, was studied by DNA-DNA hybridization. The sample included 315 gentamicin-resistant Gram-negative bacilli collected over a six-month period from patients attending a Spanish Hospital. The aminoglycoside resistance phenotype of these strains was also determined. The aacC1 probe hybridized with 39 strains, the aacC2 probe with 146 strains and both probes hybridized with 26 strains. The aacC1 gene was most frequently detected in Pseudomonas aeruginosa whereas the aacC2 gene was most frequently detected in enterobacteria and Acinetobacter spp. Strains harbouring aacC genes were isolated from both in- and outpatients with different infectious diseases, mainly urinary tract infections. As inferred from the results of Southern hybridization, both genes showed a wide horizontal dispersion among plasmids and bacteria. | 1993 | 8150069 |
| 3047 | 18 | 0.9910 | Formaldehyde-resistance in Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa: identification of resistance genes by DNA-hybridization. A 4.1. Kb large DNA fragment of a E. coli plasmid pVU 3695, on which the genes for formaldehyde-resistance are located, was used as a DNA probe to identify bacteria that carry this segment among formaldehyde-resistant bacteria. It was shown by Southern Blot-, Dot Blot-, and Colony Blot- Hybridization studies that the DNA of all formaldehyde-resistant E. coli, Serratia marcescens, Enterobacter cloacae, Citrobacter freundii and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains tested hybridize with the DNA probe from E. coli. In contrast the E. coli DNA probe does not hybridize with the DNA from formaldehyde-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. | 1991 | 1909132 |
| 5846 | 19 | 0.9910 | Distribution of tetracycline resistance genes and transposons among phylloplane bacteria in Michigan apple orchards. The extent and nature of tetracycline resistance in bacterial populations of two apple orchards with no or a limited history of oxytetracycline usage were assessed. Tetracycline-resistant (Tc(r)) bacteria were mostly gram negative and represented from 0 to 47% of the total bacterial population on blossoms and leaves (versus 26 to 84% for streptomycin-resistant bacteria). A total of 87 isolates were screened for the presence of specific Tc(r) determinants. Tc(r) was determined to be due to the presence of Tet B in Pantoea agglomerans and other members of the family Enterobacteriacae and Tet A, Tet C, or Tet G in most Pseudomonas isolates. The cause of Tc(r) was not identified in 16% of the isolates studied. The Tc(r) genes were almost always found on large plasmids which also carried the streptomycin resistance transposon Tn5393. Transposable elements with Tc(r) determinants were detected by entrapment following introduction into Escherichia coli. Tet B was found within Tn10. Two of eighteen Tet B-containing isolates had an insertion sequence within Tn10; one had IS911 located within IS10-R and one had Tn1000 located upstream of Tet B. Tet A was found within a novel variant of Tn1721, named Tn1720, which lacks the left-end orfI of Tn1721. Tet C was located within a 19-kb transposon, Tn1404, with transposition genes similar to those of Tn501, streptomycin (aadA2) and sulfonamide (sulI) resistance genes within an integron, Tet C flanked by direct repeats of IS26, and four open reading frames, one of which may encode a sulfate permease. Two variants of Tet G with 92% sequence identity were detected. | 1999 | 10543801 |