Laura Briñas

Mechanisms of Resistance in Multiple-Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli Strains of Human, Animal, and Food Origins

ABSTRACT Seventeen multiple-antibiotic-resistant nonpathogenic Escherichia coli strains of human, animal, and food origins showed a wide variety of antibiotic resistance genes, many of them carried by class 1 and class 2 integrons. Amino acid changes in MarR and mutations in marO were identified for 15 and 14 E. coli strains, respectively.

β-Lactamases in Ampicillin-Resistant Escherichia coli Isolates from Foods, Humans, and Healthy Animals

ABSTRACT TEM-, SHV-, and OXA-type β-lactamases were studied by PCR with 124 ampicillin-resistant (AMPr) Escherichia coli isolates recovered from foods of animal origin (n = 20) and feces of humans (n = 49) and healthy animals (n = 55). PCR showed that 103 isolates were positive for TEM and negative for SHV and OXA. Three E. coli isolates showed a positive reaction for OXA, and one showed a positive reaction for SHV. The remaining 17 E. coli isolates were negative for the three enzymes by PCR. Fifty-seven of the 103 blaTEM amplicons were sequenced. Different molecular variants of blaTEM-1 were found in 52 isolates: blaTEM-1a (n = 9), blaTEM-1b (n = 36), blaTEM-1c (n = 6), and blaTEM-1f (n = 1). Four inhibitor-resistant TEM (IRT) β-lactamase-encoding genes were also detected: blaTEM-30c (IRT-2), blaTEM-34b (IRT-6), blaTEM-40b (IRT-11), and blaTEM-51a (IRT-15). A new blaTEM gene, named blaTEM-95b, which showed a mutation in amino acid 145 (P→A) was detected. It was found in a food isolate of chicken origin (AMPr, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid susceptible). The promoter region in 24 blaTEM amplicons was analyzed, and the weak P3 promoter was found in 23 of them (blaTEM-1 in 20 amplicons and blaTEM-51a, blaTEM-30c, and blaTEM-95b in 1 amplicon each). The strong Pa/Pb promoter was found only in the blaTEM-34b gene. No extended-spectrum β-lactamases were detected. Mutations at position −42 or −32 in the ampC gene promoter were demonstrated in 4 of 10 E. coli isolates for which the cefoxitin MIC was ≥16 μg/ml. Different variants of blaTEM-1 and IRT blaTEM genes were found among the AMPrE. coli isolates from foods and the feces of humans and healthy animals, and a new gene, blaTEM-95b (P3), was detected.

Detection of CMY-2, CTX-M-14, and SHV-12 β-Lactamases in Escherichia coli Fecal-Sample Isolates from Healthy Chickens

ABSTRACT Genes encoding the CMY-2, CTX-M-14, and SHV-12 β-lactamases were detected in three of five Escherichia coli isolates from fecal samples from healthy chickens which showed resistance or diminished susceptibility to extended-spectrum cephalosporins. A −42 mutation at the promoter region of the ampC gene was detected in the other two isolates.

Antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli isolates obtained from animals, foods and humans in Spain

Antibiotic resistance was investigated in 474 Escherichia coli isolates recovered from animal faeces (broilers, pigs, pets, bulls and horses), human faeces (patients and healthy volunteers) and food products of animal origin. E. coli isolates (3260) recovered from human significant infectious samples were also included. There was a high frequency of nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin and gentamicin resistance in E. coli isolates from broilers (88, 38 and 40%, respectively), and from foods (53, 13 and 17%). High levels of resistance to trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole and tetracycline have been found in E. coli isolates from broilers, pigs and foods. These data raise important questions about the potential impact of antibiotic use in animals and the possible entry of resistant pathogens into the food chain.

Monitoring and Characterization of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases in Escherichia coli Strains from Healthy and Sick Animals in Spain in 2003

ABSTRACT Genes encoding CTX-M-14, CTX-M-9, CTX-M-1, CTX-M-32, SHV-12, TEM-52, or CMY-2 β-lactamases were detected in 21 Escherichia coli strains recovered during 2003 from sick animals (11 of 459 [2.4%] strains) and healthy animals (10 of 158 [6.3%] strains) in Spain. Twelve of these strains harbored blaCTX-M genes and showed unrelated pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns.

BEL-1, a Novel Clavulanic Acid-Inhibited Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase, and the Class 1 Integron In120 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

ABSTRACT Screening by a double-disk synergy test identified a Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolate that produced a clavulanic acid-inhibited expanded-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL). Cloning and sequencing identified a novel ESBL, BEL-1, weakly related to other Ambler class A ESBLs. β-Lactamase BEL-1 hydrolyzed significantly most expanded-spectrum cephalosporins and aztreonam, and its activity was inhibited by clavulanic acid, tazobactam, cefoxitin, moxalactam, and imipenem. This chromosome-encoded ESBL gene was embedded in a class 1 integron containing three other gene cassettes. In addition, this integron was bracketed by Tn1404 transposon sequences at its right end and by P. aeruginosa-specific sequences at its left end.

Integron-Encoded GES-Type Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase with Increased Activity toward Aztreonam in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

ABSTRACT A Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain expresses an extended-spectrum β-lactamase, GES-9, which differs from GES-1 by a Gly243Ser substitution, is inhibited by clavulanic acid and imipenem, and hydrolyzes aztreonam. The blaGES-9 gene was located inside a class 1 integron structure containing two copies of a novel insertion sequence belonging to the IS1111 family.

Mechanisms of Antibiotic Resistance in Escherichia coli Isolates Obtained from Healthy Children in Spain

Antibiotic resistance and mechanisms involved were studied in Escherichia coli isolates from fecal samples of healthy children. Fifty fecal samples were analyzed, and one colony per sample was recovered and identified by biochemical and molecular tests. Forty-one E. coli isolates were obtained (82%). MIC testing was performed by agar dilution with 18 antibiotics, and the mechanisms of resistance were analyzed. Ampicillin resistance was detected in 24 isolates (58.5%), and blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaOXA type genes were studied by PCR and sequencing. The following beta-lactamases were detected (number of isolates): TEM (20), SHV-1 (1), and OXA-30 (1). The number of aminoglycoside-resistant isolates detected was as follows: streptomycin (15), tobramycin (1), gentamicin (1), and kanamycin (4). The aac(3)-IV gene was detected in the only gentamicin-resistant isolate. Nine (22%) and 2 (5%) isolates showed nalidixic acid (NALR) and ciprofloxacin resistance (CIPR), respectively. Mutations in GyrA and ParC proteins were shown in both NAL(R)-CIP(R) isolates and were the following: (1) GyrA (S83L + D87N), ParC (S801); and (2) GyrA (S83L + A84P), ParC (S80I + A108V). A single mutation in the S83 codon of the gyrA gene was found in the remaining seven NAL(R)-CIP(S) isolates. Tetracycline resistance was identified in 21 isolates (51%) and the following resistance genes were found (number of isolates): tetA (12), tetB (5), and tetD (1). Chloramphenicol resistance was detected in five isolates (12%). These results show that the intestinal tract of healthy children constitutes a reservoir of resistant bacteria and resistance genes.

β-Lactamase Characterization in Escherichia coli Isolates with Diminished Susceptibility or Resistance to Extended-Spectrum Cephalosporins Recovered from Sick Animals in Spain

A total of 1439 Escherichia coli isolates from sick animals were received from the Spanish Network of Veterinary Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (VAV) from 1997 to 2001. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed and diminished susceptibility to cefotaxime and ceftazidime was identified in 2.5% and 2.8% of the isolates, respectively. Beta-lactamase characterization was carried out in the group of 20 E. coli isolates with both characteristics. The MIC ranges of different beta-lactams showed by these 20 isolates were as follows (in microg/ml): ampicillin (64-->256), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (4-64), ticarcillin (8-->128), cefazolin (32-->256), cefoxitin (4-->128), cefotaxime (1-64), ceftazidime (2-->64), ceftriaxone (0.5-64), imipenem (< or = 0.06-0.25), and aztreonam (2-->32). TEM, SHV, CMY, and FOX beta-lactamase genes were analyzed by PCR and sequencing. The beta-lactamase genes detected were the following ones (number of isolates): bla(TEM-1b) (3), bla(TEM-1a) (1), bla(TEM-30f) (2), bla(TEM-1b) + bla(CMY-2) (2), and bla(SHV-12) (1). Sequences of the promoter and/or attenuator region of the chromosomal ampC gene were studied in all the 20 isolates. Mutations at position -42 or -32 were detected in 16 isolates and these mutations were associated with the presence of a TEM type beta-lactamase in 6 isolates. Besides, a high variety of plasmidic beta-lactamases was detected including TEM-30 and CMY-2. To our knowledge, this is the first time that TEM-30 beta-lactamase has been detected in E. coli isolates of animal origin.

Pediatric infection due to multiresistant Salmonella enterica serotype Infantis in Honduras.

ABSTRACT We report the case of a pediatric patient with a Salmonella enterica serotype Infantis infection. Detailed microbiological investigation revealed that this isolate carries four β-lactamase genes (blaTEM-1b variant, blaSHV-5, blaCTX-M-15, and blaCMY-2) conferring resistance to all β-lactams but imipenem. This is the first report of a Salmonella isolate with CTX-M and AmpC enzymes on the American continent, the first report of blaCMY-2 in Salmonella serotype Infantis, and the first report of blaCTX-M-15 in the genus Salmonella.