Anita Hällgren

Travel-associated faecal colonization with ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae: incidence and risk factors

OBJECTIVES To study the acquisition of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) among the faecal flora during travel, with a focus on risk factors, antibiotic susceptibility and ESBL-encoding genes. METHODS An observational prospective multicentre cohort study of individuals attending vaccination clinics in south-east Sweden was performed, in which the submission of faecal samples and questionnaires before and after travelling outside Scandinavia was requested. Faecal samples were screened for ESBL-PE by culturing on ChromID ESBL and an in-house method. ESBL-PE was confirmed by phenotypic and genotypic methods. Susceptibility testing was performed with the Etest. Individuals who acquired ESBL-PE during travel (travel-associated carriers) were compared with non-carriers regarding risk factors, and unadjusted and adjusted ORs after manual stepwise elimination were calculated using logistic regression. RESULTS Of 262 enrolled individuals, 2.4% were colonized before travel. Among 226 evaluable participants, ESBL-PE was detected in the post-travel samples from 68 (30%) travellers. The most important risk factor in the final model was the geographic area visited: Indian subcontinent (OR 24.8, P < 0.001), Asia (OR 8.63, P < 0.001) and Africa north of the equator (OR 4.94, P = 0.002). Age and gastrointestinal symptoms also affected the risk significantly. Multiresistance was seen in 77 (66%) of the ESBL-PE isolates, predominantly a combination of reduced susceptibility to third-generation cephalosporins, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and aminoglycosides. The most common species and ESBL-encoding gene were Escherichia coli (90%) and CTX-M (73%), respectively. CONCLUSION Acquisition of multiresistant ESBL-PE among the faecal flora during international travel is common. The geographical area visited has the highest impact on ESBL-PE acquisition.

Molecular detection of aggregation substance, enterococcal surface protein, and cytolysin genes and in vitro adhesion to urinary catheters of Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium of clinical origin

It has been hypothesized that nosocomial enterococci might have virulence factors that enhance their ability to colonise hospitalised patients. The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of genes encoding 3 virulence factors: aggregation substance (asa1), enterococcal surface protein (esp), and 5 genes within the cytolysin operon (cylA, cylB, cylM, cylL(L), cylL(S)) and cytolysin production in 115 enterococcal clinical isolates (21 Enterococcus faecium and 94 E. faecalis). Adhesion to siliconized latex urinary catheters in relation to presence of esp was analysed in a subset of isolates. The isolates were previously characterised by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). esp was the only virulence gene found in E. faecium. It was found in 71% of the 21 E. faecium isolates. asa1, esp, and the cyl operon were found in 79%, 73% and 13% respectively, of the 94 E. faecalis isolates. There was a complete agreement between presence of the cyl operon and phenotypic cytolysin production. Isolates belonging to a cluster of genetically related isolates carried esp and asa1 more often when compared to unique isolates. No difference was found with respect to cyl genes. E. faecalis isolates adhered with higher bacterial densities than E. faecium. E. faecalis isolates within the same PFGE cluster adhered with similar bacterial densities, but there was no association between adhesion and the presence of esp when isolates within the same cluster were compared. In conclusion, E. faecalis isolates with high-level gentamicin resistance (HLGR) belonging to clusters of genetically related isolates widely distributed in Swedish hospitals, were likely to carry both esp and asa1. Adhesion was not affected by esp.

Detection and characterisation of SCCmec remnants in multiresistant methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus causing a clonal outbreak in a Swedish county

The purpose of this study was to investigate if multiresistant methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MR-MSSA) causing a clonal outbreak in Östergötland County, Sweden, were derived from methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) by carrying remnants of SCCmec, and, if so, to characterise this element. A total of 54 MSSA isolates with concomitant resistance to erythromycin, clindamycin and tobramycin from 49 patients (91% clonally related, spa type t002) were investigated with the BD GeneOhm MRSA assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the SCCmec integration site/SCCmec right extremity junction. DNA sequencing of one isolate representing the MR-MSSA outbreak clone was performed by massive parallel 454 pyrosequencing. All isolates that were part of the clonal outbreak carried SCCmec remnants. The DNA sequencing revealed the carriage of a pseudo-SCC element 12 kb in size, with a genomic organisation identical to an SCCmec type ΙΙ element, except for a 41-kb gap. This study demonstrates the presence of a pseudo-SCC element resembling SCCmec type II among MR-MSSA, suggesting possible derivation from MRSA. The presence of SCCmec remnants should always be considered when SCCmec typing is used for MRSA detection, and may not be suitable in locations with a high prevalence of MR-MSSA, since this might give a high number of false-positive results.

Modified pulsed-field gel electrophoresis protocol for typing of enterococci

Controlling the spread of vancomycin‐resistant enterococci (VRE) is an important task in hospital epidemiology. Pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) has become the golden standard for molecular epidemiological characterisation of enterococcal isolates. For separation of DNA fragments by PFGE, different electrophoresis conditions have been recommended, but none of these protocols allows a satisfactory separation of both small and large DNA fragments of enterococci simultaneously. In this study we have speeded up the preparation of chromosomal DNA and defined new electrophoresis conditions that enhance separation of small and large DNA fragments for subtyping of enterococci with a 24 h PFGE.

In vitro activity of beta-lactam antibiotics against CTX-M-producing Escherichia coli.

Beta-lactam antibiotics have been discussed as options for the treatment of infections caused by multiresistant extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria if the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) is low. The objective of this study was to investigate the in vitro activity of different beta-lactam antibiotics against CTX-M-producing Escherichia coli. A total of 198 isolates of E. coli with the ESBL phenotype were studied. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of CTX-M genes and amplicon sequencing were performed. The MICs for amoxicillin–clavulanic acid, aztreonam, cefepime, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ceftibuten, ertapenem, imipenem, mecillinam, meropenem, piperacillin–tazobactam, and temocillin were determined with the Etest. Susceptibility was defined according to the breakpoints of the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST). MIC50 and MIC90 values were calculated. Isolates from CTX-M group 9 showed higher susceptibility to the beta-lactam antibiotics tested than isolates belonging to CTX-M group 1. More than 90% of the isolates belonging to CTX-M group 9 were susceptible to amoxicillin–clavulanic acid, ceftazidime, ceftibuten, piperacillin–tazobactam, and temocillin. The susceptibility was high to mecillinam, being 91%, regardless of the CTX-M group. All isolates were susceptible to imipenem and meropenem, and 99% to ertapenem. This study shows significant differences in susceptibility to different beta-lactam antibiotics among the CTX-M-producing E. coli isolates and a significant difference for many antibiotics tested between the CTX-M-producing groups 1 and 9. The good in vitro activity of other beta-lactam antibiotics compared to carbapenems indicate that clinical studies are warranted in order to examine the potential role of these beta-lactam antibiotics in the treatment of infections caused by multiresistant ESBL-producing E. coli.

Susceptibility of staphylococci and enterococci to antimicrobial agents at different ward levels in four north European countries

A multicentre susceptibility study was performed on staphylococci and enterococci isolated from patients at 3 different ward levels: primary care centres (PCCs), general hospital wards (GHWs) and intensive care units (ICUs), in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. There was a markedly higher incidence of resistance among CoNS in ICUs compared to GHWs and PCCs. Resistance rates were low among S. aureus isolates and no differences were found between the ward levels. Oxacillin resistance was found among 1.6% of S. aureus and 47% of CoNS isolates. 14% of CoNS and 0.9% of S. aureus isolates were glycopeptide intermediate. The prevalence of E. faecium isolates in this study differed significantly between the ward levels with the lowest prevalence found at PCCs. High level gentamicin resistant (HLGR) enterococci occurred in 11–25% of E. faecium and 6–20% of E. faecalis isolates. The HLGR rate was significantly higher among E. faecalis from hospitalized patients (GHWs and ICUs) compared to patients at PCCs. For enterococcal isolates, no other significant differences in antimicrobial resistance were found between the ward levels. All enterococci were teicoplanin susceptible, but decreased susceptibility to vancomycin was found among 2.0% and 0.6% of the E. faecium and E. faecalis isolates, respectively.

High frequency of co-resistance in CTX-M-producing Escherichia coli to non-beta-lactam antibiotics, with the exceptions of amikacin, nitrofurantoin, colistin, tigecycline, and fosfomycin, in a county of Sweden

Abstract Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the in vitro activity of different antibiotics against CTX-M-producing Escherichia coli in a county of Sweden, and to determine the occurrence of multi-resistance and plasmid- mediated quinolone resistance among these isolates. Methods: A total of 198 isolates of E. coli with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) phenotype and mainly CTX-M genotype were studied. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for amikacin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, colistin, fosfomycin, gentamicin, nalidixic acid, nitrofurantoin, tigecycline, tobramycin, trimethoprim, and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole were determined with the Etest. Susceptibility was defined according to the breakpoints of the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST). MIC50 and MIC90 values were calculated. Results: Ninety-five percent or more of the isolates were susceptible to amikacin, nitrofurantoin, colistin, tigecycline, and fosfomycin. CTX-M group 9 was more susceptible than CTX-M group 1 to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and tobramycin. Sixty-eight percent of the isolates were multi-resistant, and the most common multi-resistance pattern was ESBL phenotype with decreased susceptibility to trimethoprim, trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and tobramycin. Only 1 isolate carried a qnrS1 gene, but 37% carried aac(6′)-Ib-cr. Conclusions: A high frequency of co-resistance between ESBL-producing E. coli and non-beta-lactam antibiotics was seen. On the other hand, very high susceptibility was seen for amikacin, nitrofurantoin, colistin, tigecycline, and fosfomycin. These data support the replacement of gentamicin and tobramycin, normally used in Sweden, with amikacin, for severe infections.

Phene Plate (PhP) biochemical fingerprinting. A screening method for epidemiological typing of enterococcal isolates.

Pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) is currently considered the gold standard for genotyping of enterococci. However, PFGE is both expensive and time‐consuming. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the PhP system can be used as a reliable clinical screening method for detection of genetically related isolates of enterococci. If so, it should be possible to minimize the number of isolates subjected to PFGE typing, which would save time and money. Ninety‐nine clinical enterococcal isolates were analysed by PhP (similarity levels 0.90–0.975) and PFGE (similarity levels ≤3 and ≤6 bands) and all possible pairs of isolates were cross‐classified as matched or mismatched. We found that the probability that a pair of isolates (A and B) belonging to the same type according to PhP also belong to the same cluster according to PFGE, i.e. p(APFGE=BPFGE • APhP=BPhP), and the probability that a pair of isolates of different types according to PhP also belong to different clusters according to PFGE, i.e. p(APFGE≠BPFGE • APhP≠BPhP), was relatively high for E. faecalis (0.86 and 0.96, respectively), but was lower for E. faecium (0.51 and 0.77, respectively). The concordance which shows the probability that PhP and PFGE agree on match or mismatch was 86%–93% for E. faecalis and 54%–66% for E. faecium, which indicates that the PhP method may be useful for epidemiological typing of E. faecalis in the current settings but not for E. faecium.

A clonal outbreak of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus with concomitant resistance to erythromycin, clindamycin and tobramycin in a Swedish county

In contrast to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), studies on clonal distribution of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) are scarce. Since 2004, an increasing incidence of concomitant resistance to erythromycin, clindamycin and tobramycin (ECT) among MSSA has been detected in Östergötland County, Sweden. The objectives of this study were to investigate the genetic relatedness among these isolates with 2 genotyping methods, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and sequence-based typing of the polymorphic region X of the staphylococcal protein A gene (spa typing), and to determine the incidence of the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) gene. When genotyping 54 ECT-resistant MSSA isolates from 49 patients (1 isolate per patient per y), 91% were shown to be part of a clonal outbreak with both methods used (spa type t002). The clonal outbreak was concentrated in 8 hospital departments and 2 primary care centres, all located in the city of Linköping. All isolates were negative for the PVL gene. In conclusion, this study demonstrates an ongoing clonal outbreak of PVL-negative ECT-resistant MSSA. This stresses the need to continuously maintain basic hygiene rules, since nosocomial transmission of pathogens is not limited to known resistant bacteria such as MRSA.

Rectal colonization and frequency of enterococcal cross-transmission among prolonged-stay patients in two Swedish intensive care units

The aims of this study were to gain insight into the dynamics of the rectal flora during prolonged ICU stay, with a particular focus on colonization and cross-transmission with resistant pathogens, and to evaluate methods for the rapid isolation of relevant bacteria from rectal swabs. Patients admitted to a general intensive care unit (GICU) or a cardiothoracic ICU (TICU) at the University Hospital of Linköping, Sweden, between 1 November 2001 and January 2002 with a length of stay > 5 d were included (n = 20). Chromogenic UTI agar medium was used for discrimination of different species, and appropriate antibiotics were added to detect resistance. Direct plating was compared to enrichment broth for a subset of specimens. The study showed an early alteration in rectal flora, with a dramatic decrease in Gram-negative rods in favour of Gram-positive bacteria. An ampicillin- and high-level gentamicin resistant clone of Enterococcus faecium was found in 6 of 10 patients in the GICU and 2 of 11 patients in the TICU. Enrichment broth did not enhance the detection of Gram-negative bacteria compared to direct plating on Chromogenic UTI medium, but enrichment broths were needed for optimal detection of resistant Gram-positive bacteria.