健康猪直肠粪便中沙门菌I类整合子与耐药基因的检测

目的了解安徽省规模化猪场健康猪直肠粪便中沙门菌分离株多重耐药情况及其与I类整合子和耐药基因的携带关系。方法采用标准K-B纸片法对22株沙门菌分离株进行15种抗生素敏感试验;应用PCR技术对沙门菌分离株进行I类整合子及耐药基因检测。结果 22株沙门菌分离株中有20株(90.91%)对2种以上抗生素耐药,属于多重耐药株,羧氨苄青霉素-四环素-卡那霉素-氯霉素-氟苯尼考是主要多重耐药谱;22株沙门菌中有19株(86.4%)携带I类整合子,tetB、aph(3)-IIa和cmlA基因分别检出最高。结论沙门菌多重耐药性与整合子携带之间的关系密切,耐药表型测定结果与耐药基因检测结果基本一致,基因组DNA携带的耐药基因种类多于质粒。     

食源性沙门氏菌耐药性检测及相关质粒

[目的]测定390株沙门氏菌的抗生素药敏性,研究部分多重耐药株中质粒与其宿主耐药表型之间的关系及其在接合过程中对耐药性水平转移的影响.[方法]使用选择性培养基分离到沙门氏菌并通过PCR确认后,按照琼脂稀释法测定分离株对供试抗生素的药敏性,试剂盒提取代表性多重耐药株中的质粒,HindⅢ酶切,DPS软件分析电泳后质粒图谱.通过接合试验研究质粒在抗生素抗性水平转移中的作用.[结果]沙门氏菌分离株对四环素耐药最为普遍(58.2%),其次为链霉素(42.8%)、卡那霉素(39%)和氨苄青霉素(38.2%),对头孢西丁、氯霉素、庆大霉素、头孢曲松、阿莫西林甲氧苄啶、头孢替呋钠和萘啶酮酸的耐药率分别为27.2%、26.9%、21%、19%、18.2%、17.9%、14.6%和12.3%.抗性质粒编码的相同或相似沙门氏菌耐药表型与其中所含的耐药质粒并不呈现出严格的对应关系.质粒携带的抗性基因可通过接合作用转移,接合效率在2.4×10-4到5.6×10-1之间.[结论]食源性沙门氏菌对常用抗生素的多重耐药已经成为普遍现象,抗性质粒的同源性与其宿主耐药表型无直接相关性,其携带的耐药基因可通过接合作用在不同细菌种属之间高频传递.     

大肠埃希菌耐药性水平传播实验研究

目的研究重症监护病房（ICU）患者标本中分离的大肠埃希菌的耐药情况以及耐药性水平传播的实验研究。方法采取双纸片法（K-B）检测细菌的耐药性;产超广谱β-内酰胺酶（ESBLs）大肠埃希菌为供体菌,耐利福平大肠埃希菌（对其他抗生素敏感）作为受体菌进行接合实验;采用聚合酶链反应（PCR）技术扩增整合子和耐药基因。结果30株大肠埃希菌中产ESBLs菌株检出率为46．7％;接合培养后,接合菌携带23kb和25kb大质粒,而无供体菌中一系列小质粒;供体菌和接合菌均携带I型整合子。结论大肠埃希菌耐药性严重,且呈多重耐药性;产ESBLs菌株可通过质粒和整合子将耐药基因转移给敏感菌,导致耐药性传播。     

产超广谱β-内酰胺酶大肠埃希菌Ⅰ类整合子检测与耐药性关系

目的了解I类整合子在产ESBLs和非产ESBLs大肠埃希菌中分布状况,分析I类整合子在细菌多重耐药中的作用。方法用PCR方法扩增I类整合酶基因,经电泳后检测扩增产物。用2χ检验进行统计学分析,P<0.05为差异有显著性。结果105株大肠埃希菌检出I类整合子46株,检出率为43.8%。I类整合子在产ESBLs菌的检出率为53.4%,明显高于非产ESBLs菌(31.9%),2χ检验,P<0.01。I类整合子阳性菌株多重耐药率为68.8%(33/48),明显高于阴性菌株(33.3%),P<0.05。I类整合子阳性菌株和产ESBLs菌均对青霉素类、喹诺酮类、磺胺类抗生素表现出较高的耐药率。所有菌株均对亚胺培南敏感。结论I类整合子携带与产ESBLs菌株耐药有关,I类整合子阳性菌株对多种抗生素的耐药率大于整合子阴性菌株。     

陕西食源性沙门氏菌耐药及相关基因

【目的】研究食源性沙门氏菌对常用抗生素的药敏性及相关耐药基因,更好的了解耐药性的产生和传播途径,确保食品安全。【方法】使用the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute推荐的琼脂稀释法测定沙门氏菌的药敏性,PCR和基因序列测定方法确定耐药沙门氏菌中整合子及其携带的耐药基因、与头孢菌素抗性相关的基因、沙门氏菌基因岛及与氟喹诺酮类抗生素耐药相关的基因突变。【结果】359株沙门氏菌中,67%的菌株对磺胺甲恶唑产生抗性,对甲氧苄啶/磺胺甲恶唑、四环素、卡那霉素、萘啶酮酸、氨苄西林、阿莫西林/克拉维酸、链霉素、氯霉素和庆大霉素、环丙沙星、头孢曲松、头孢西丁和头孢哌酮的耐药率分别为58%、56%、37%、35%、33%、32%、29%、26%、21%、16%、9%和8%。284株耐药菌中,79%的菌株可抗至少1种抗生素,25.9%可抗10种以上抗生素,2.5%可抗14种抗生素。耐药的Ⅰ类整合子以1.4kb最为常见,携带的耐药基因有aadA1、aadA2、aadA5、tetR、blaPSE-1、blaDHA-1、blaVEB-1、dhfrⅠ、dhfrⅤ、dhfrⅦ和dhfr17等。62株耐头孢曲松和/或头孢哌酮的沙门氏菌中,blaTEM和blaCMY-2基因的检出率分别为51.6%和56.5%。13.6%的沙门氏菌中检出了沙门氏菌基因岛。35株耐氟喹诺酮类抗生素的沙门氏菌的gyrA、parC和parE基因中共检出68个点突变,gyrA基因中常见突变为Ser83Phe、Ser83Tyr、Asp87Gly和Asp87Asn,parC基因中为Ser80Arg。parE基因中检出了Lys441Ile、Lys428Gln、Asp494Asn、Lys428Gln和Gly442Ser突变,这些点突变均为首次在食源性沙门氏菌中检出。【结论】陕西食源性沙门氏菌耐药状况严重,整合子、沙门氏菌基因岛和β-内酰胺酶编码基因的存在及解旋酶和拓扑异构酶基因突变是导致沙门氏菌耐药的重要机制。     

喹啉降解反应器菌群内整合子检测和菌株耐药性分析

运用PCR技术及克隆文库方法,对一个实验室规模的喹啉降解反应器生物膜系统中的整合子进行了分析。结果表明,在该反硝化喹啉降解反应器的生物膜群落中,整合子携带着丰富多样的基因盒。主要为编码与抗生素耐药性相关的基因盒,如氨基糖苷类耐药基因(aadA基因等),也带有与工业废水环境发现的整合子中可能与芳香族化合物降解有关的基因(如FldF基因)。还有一些功能未知的基因。鉴于耐药性相关基因的广泛存在,对该反应器中分离的优势菌株进行了耐药性分析。结果表明,44.1%的菌株存在耐药性,29.4%的菌株有多重耐药性。它们对4种抗生素的耐药率分别为:氨苄青霉素29.4%、卡那霉素23.5%、氯霉素20.6%、链霉素23.5%。不存在抗生素选择压力环境的微生物群落中分离的群落优势菌株普遍具有抗生素耐药性,而且群落基因组的整合子中携带多种抗生素抗性基因的基因盒。这一现象还未曾见报道,其成因值得进一步研究。     

猪源肠外致病性大肠杆菌耐药性分析及耐药基因和I类整合子检测

【背景】由于抗生素的长期大量且不合理使用,猪源肠外致病性大肠杆菌(extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli,ExPEC)多重耐药性日趋严重。【目的】探究猪源ExPEC的耐药性及其与耐药基因和I类整合子的相关性。【方法】采用微量肉汤稀释法测定54株猪源ExPEC对22种抗生素的最低抑菌浓度(minimal inhibitory concentration,MIC)和最低杀菌浓度(minimum bactericidal concentration,MBC);依据药敏试验结果确定相关耐药基因,采用PCR方法检测染色体DNA和质粒DNA上的耐药基因及I类整合子分布情况。【结果】54株猪源ExPEC对青霉素、氟苯尼考、氨苄西林、阿莫西林高度耐药,其中52株对甲氧苄氨嘧啶、复方新诺明高度耐药,它们的MIC值均大于256μg/mL,无MBC值;对头孢唑林、四环素、头孢氨苄、大观霉素、链霉素的MIC值在1-256μg/mL之间,MBC值分别为8、16、32、64、128、256μg/mL,均可耐受11种以上抗生素,其中以耐受17种为主,占比为18.52%...     

100例鲍曼不动杆菌的耐药性与整合子表达及耐药基因分析

目的 了解鲍曼不动杆菌的耐药性和整合子表达及耐药基因携带情况.方法 收集100株鲍曼不动杆菌,以VITEK-64系统鉴定细菌,并进行14种抗生素药敏试验,通过PCR法检测Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ类整合酶基因(intI1、2、3)及Ⅰ类整合子可变区基因盒,并对基因盒测序.结果 除阿米卡星和头孢哌酮/舒巴坦,鲍曼不动杆菌对其他12种抗菌药物耐药率均大于60.0％,多重耐药率为88.0％.鲍曼不动杆菌整合酶基因阳性率为64.0％,均为intI1,整合子阳性菌株对多数药物的耐药率显著高于整合子阴性者(P＜0.05).intI1阳性菌株中,84.4％ (54/64)扩增出整合子可变区,检出3种耐药基因盒组合形式:aac(6’)-Ib-cr-arr-3-dfrA27 14株、aacA4-catB8-aadA1 24株、aacC1-orfA-orfB-aadA1 16株.结论 临床分离的鲍曼不动杆菌多重耐药与Ⅰ类整合子表达有关.Ⅰ类整合子主要携带早期使用的氨基糖苷类抗菌药、甲氧苄啶和氯霉素耐药基因.     

基于全基因组关联分析研究粪肠球菌发酵食品分离株的耐药性

【目的】研究15株分离自自然发酵食品的粪肠球菌(Enterococcus faecalis)和1株粪肠球菌模式株对15种(1种β-内酰胺类和14种非β-内酰胺类)抗生素的耐药性,并通过菌株耐药表型与基因型的关联分析找到粪肠球菌潜在的耐药基因。【方法】利用微量肉汤稀释法检测试验菌株对15种抗生素的耐药性,运用Scoary软件进行表型与基因型的关联分析。【结果】16株粪肠球菌对卡那霉素、万古霉素、利奈唑胺和红霉素100%敏感;对其余11种抗生素均表现出不同程度的耐药,其中对克林霉素为100%耐药。基因组关联分析发现了9个功能基因与5种抗生素(氯霉素、环丙沙星、甲氧苄啶、新霉素和四环素)存在显著相关关系,其中基因FAM000296和FAM005768与氯霉素、甲氧苄啶和环丙沙星的耐药性有关。进一步分析发现基因FAM000296和FAM005768同被注释为Sec G,但基因FAM005768与基因FAM000296相比在3′端丢失了21个碱基。【结论】分离自自然发酵食品的粪肠球菌对多种抗生素具有耐药性,其基因组中携带有潜在的耐药基因。因此,对分离自自然发酵食品的粪肠球菌需要进行全面的安全性评估后方可考虑应用。     

泰安渿河中产ESBLs大肠杆菌耐药性及耐药基因的传递规律

【目的】调查城市河流泰安市渿河(贯穿城区)中产超广谱β-内酰胺酶(extended-spectrum β-lactamases,ESBLs)大肠杆菌的分布及其多重耐药性与耐药基因携带情况,探究其耐药基因传递规律。【方法】采用Kirby-Bauer法测定耐药表型,用PCR和基因序列测定法进行耐药基因、整合子检测和多位点序列分型,并进行细菌接合试验。【结果】从272份水样中分离88株产ESBLs大肠杆菌,分离率32.4%,多重耐药率为59.1%。耐药基因检测出blaTEM、qnrS、AacC2、aac(6’)-Ib-cr、oqxA、OXA、AacC4,携带率分别为94.3%、33.0%、29.5%、12.5%、11.4%、6.8%、5.6%,59.0%菌株携带多种耐药基因。MLST分型检测出47种ST型,ST38为主要分型占13.6%,发现ST131两株。I类整合子检出率26.1%,其中,dfrA17-aadA5阳性率为13.6%。接合率为83.0%(73/88),72.6%的接合子发生耐药谱变窄,供体菌所携带的七种耐药基因均发生了水平传递。【结论】城市河流中细菌多重耐药现象严重且耐药性可水平传递,存在城市公共卫生安全隐患。     

Characterization of multiple-antimicrobial-resistant salmonella serovars isolated from retail meats

A total of 133 Salmonella isolates recovered from retail meats purchased in the United States and the People's Republic of China were assayed for antimicrobial susceptibility, the presence of integrons and antimicrobial resistance genes, and horizontal transfer of characterized antimicrobial resistance determinants via conjugation. Seventy-three (82%) of these Salmonella isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent. Resistance to the following antibiotics was common among the United States isolates: tetracycline (68% of the isolates were resistant), streptomycin (61%), sulfamethoxazole (42%), and ampicillin (29%). Eight Salmonella isolates (6%) were resistant to ceftriaxone. Fourteen isolates (11%) from the People's Republic of China were resistant to nalidixic acid and displayed decreased susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. A total of 19 different antimicrobial resistance genes were identified in 30 multidrug-resistant Salmonella isolates. The bla(CMY-2) gene, encoding a class A AmpC beta-lactamase, was detected in all 10 Salmonella isolates resistant to extended-spectrum beta-lactams. Resistance to ampicillin was most often associated with a TEM-1 family beta-lactamase gene. Six aminoglycoside resistance genes, aadA1, aadA2, aacC2, Kn, aph(3)-IIa, and aac(3)-IVa, were commonly present in the Salmonella isolates. Sixteen (54%) of 30 Salmonella isolates tested had integrons ranging in size from 0.75 to 2.7 kb. Conjugation studies demonstrated that there was plasmid-mediated transfer of genes encoding CMY-2 and TEM-1-like beta-lactamases. These data indicate that Salmonella isolates recovered from retail raw meats are commonly resistant to multiple antimicrobials, including those used for treating salmonellosis, such as ceftriaxone. Genes conferring antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella are often carried on integrons and plasmids and could be transmitted through conjugation. These mobile DNA elements have likely played an important role in transmission and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance determinants among Salmonella strains.     

Characterization of antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence genes of Salmonella serovars collected at a commercial turkey processing plant

Aims:  To determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, distribution of class 1 integrons, virulence genes and genes encoding resistance to tetracycline ( tetA , tetC , tetD and tetE ) and streptomycin ( strA , strB and aadA1 ) in Salmonella recovered from turkeys.
Methods and Results:  The antimicrobial susceptibility of 80 isolates was determined using National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System. The distribution of resistance genes, class 1 integrons and virulence genes was determined using PCR. Resistances to tetracycline (76·3%) and streptomycin (40%) were common. Sixty-two (77·5%) isolates displayed resistance against one or more antimicrobials and 33 were multi-drug resistant. tetA was detected in 72·5% of the isolates, while tetC , tetD and tetE were not detected. The strA and strB genes were detected in 73·8% of the isolates. Two isolates possessed class 1 integrons of 1 kb in size, containing the aadA1 gene conferring resistance to streptomycin and spectinomycin. Fourteen of the virulence genes were detected in over 80% of the isolates.
Conclusions:  This study shows that continuous use of tetracycline and streptomycin in poultry production selects for resistant strains. The Salmonella isolates recovered possess significant ability to cause human illness.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  Information from this study can be employed in guiding future strategies for the use of antimicrobials in poultry production.     

Characterization of antibiotic resistance genes linked to class 1 and 2 integrons in strains of Salmonella spp. isolated from swine

The aim of this study was to characterize the antibiotic resistance profiles, the integron-associated resistance determinants, and the potential ability of transferring these determinants by conjugation in Salmonella enterica isolated from swine. Fifty-four strains of Salmonella spp. were isolated from healthy swine. The percentages of resistance, determined by the plate dilution method were as follows: oxytetracycline (41%), streptomycin (39%), sulphamethoxazol+trimethoprim (19%), enrofloxacin-ciprofloxacin (13%), and amoxicillin (0%). The most important resistance serovars were Salmonella Branderburg, Salmonella Derby, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Salmonella Heidelberg. The oxytetracycline-resistant strains amplified the genes tetA (36%), tetB (64%); and the strains resistant to streptomycin and trimethoprim amplified the genes aadA1 (100%) and dfrA1 (100%), respectively. None of the fluoroquinolone-resistant strains amplified the gene qnr. Ten strains amplified the class 1 integron harboring the cassette aadA1. Six strains amplified the class 2 integron harboring the cassettes dfrA1, sat1, and aadA1. The conjugation assays showed that 2 strains transferred the tetA and aadA1 genes and the class 1 integron to a recipient strain. Taken together, the results obtained in this study show a high percentage of resistance in and the presence of integrons in strains of S. enterica isolated from swine. This information should support the implementation of regulations for the prudent use of antimicrobial agents in food-producing animals.     

Genetic analysis of multiple antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella isolated from diseased broilers in Egypt

To date, no information has been available on the molecular bases of antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella spp. from poultry in Egypt or even in Africa. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze, at the molecular level, the mechanisms of multidrug-resistance in isolates of Salmonella recovered from diseased broilers in Egypt. Twenty-one Salmonella isolates were identified; 13 of these isolates were Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis and eight Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. 17 (81%). Salmonella isolates displayed multidrug resistance phenotypes, particularly against ampicillin, streptomycin, spectinomycin, kanamycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. PCR and DNA sequencing identified class 1 integrons in nine (42.9%) isolates and class 2 integrons in three (14.3%) isolates. The identified resistance genes within class 1 integrons were aminoglycoside adenyltransferase type A, aadA1, aadA2 and aadA5 and dihydrofolate reductase type A, dfrA1, dfrA5, dfrA12, dfrA15 and dfrA17. The β-lactamase encoding genes bla(TEM-1) and bla(CMY-2) and florfenicol resistance gene floR were also identified. Furthermore, the tetracycline resistance gene tet(A) was identified in 14 (66.7%) Salmonella isolates. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the molecular basis of antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella spp. isolated from poultry in Africa.     

A high prevalence of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli isolated from pigs and a low prevalence of antimicrobial resistant E. coli from cattle and sheep in Great Britain at slaughter

The incidence of antimicrobial resistance and expressed and unexpressed resistance genes among commensal Escherichia coli isolated from healthy farm animals at slaughter in Great Britain was investigated. The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance among the isolates varied according to the animal species; of 836 isolates from cattle tested only 5.7% were resistant to one or more antimicrobials, while only 3.0% of 836 isolates from sheep were resistant to one or more agents. However, 92.1% of 2480 isolates from pigs were resistant to at least one antimicrobial. Among isolates from pigs, resistance to some antimicrobials such as tetracycline (78.7%), sulphonamide (66.9%) and streptomycin (37.5%) was found to be common, but relatively rare to other agents such as amikacin (0.1%), ceftazidime (0.1%) and coamoxiclav (0.2%). The isolates had a diverse range of resistance gene profiles, with tet(B), sul2 and strAB identified most frequently. Seven out of 615 isolates investigated carried unexpressed resistance genes. One trimethoprim-susceptible isolate carried a complete dfrA17 gene but lacked a promoter for it. However, in the remaining six streptomycin-susceptible isolates, one of which carried strAB while the others carried aadA, no mutations or deletions in gene or promoter sequences were identified to account for susceptibility. The data indicate that antimicrobial resistance in E. coli of animal origin is due to a broad range of acquired genes.     

Characterization of class I integrons among Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis isolated from humans and poultry

A total of 84 Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) isolates, 42 of human and 42 of poultry origin, were characterized for antimicrobial resistance patterns and class I integrons. Among them, 58 (69%) S. Enteritidis were multidrug-resistant (MDR) and showed resistance to two or more antibiotic classes. By PCR assays and DNA sequencing, 50 (59.5%) S. Enteritidis isolates were found to carry class I integrons. Amplification of internal variable regions of class I integrons revealed five different arrays (0.75 kb only, 1 kb only, 1.3 kb only, both 1 and 1.2 kb, and both 1 and 1.3 kb). The integrons were further sequenced and the dfrA25 (0.75 kb), aadA1 (1 kb), aadA2 (1 kb), bla(PSE1) (1.2 kb) aadA6-orfD (1.3 kb) gene cassette arrays were identified. Ciprofloxacin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for the three isolates that showed resistance or reduced susceptibility via the disc diffusion method were 0.5-4 μg mL(-1), although only three isolates exhibited resistance to cefteriaxone (MIC: 128-256 μg mL(-1)) and four isolates were resistant to florfenicol (MIC: 32-128 μg mL(-1)). In conclusion, the high rates of multidrug-resistance and class I integrons found among S. Enteritidis isolates in humans and poultry in Tehran suggest that efforts are needed to confine the prevalence of MDR Salmonella isolates.     

Antimicrobial resistance in generic Escherichia coli isolates from wild small mammals living in swine farm, residential, landfill, and natural environments in southern Ontario, Canada

To assess the impacts of different types of human activity on the development of resistant bacteria in the feces of wild small mammals, we compared the prevalences and patterns of antimicrobial resistance and resistance genes in generic Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica isolates from fecal samples collected from wild small mammals living in four environments: swine farms, residential areas, landfills, and natural habitats. Resistance to antimicrobials was observed in E. coli isolates from animals in all environments: 25/52 (48%) animals trapped at swine farms, 6/69 (9%) animals trapped in residential areas, 3/20 (15%) animals trapped at landfills, and 1/22 (5%) animals trapped in natural habitats. Animals trapped on farms were significantly more likely to carry E. coli isolates with resistance to tetracycline, ampicillin, sulfisoxazole, and streptomycin than animals trapped in residential areas. The resistance genes sul2, aadA, and tet(A) were significantly more likely to be detected in E. coli isolates from animals trapped on farms than from those trapped in residential areas. Three S. enterica serotypes (Give, Typhimurium, and Newport) were recovered from the feces of 4/302 (1%) wild small mammals. All Salmonella isolates were pansusceptible. Our results show that swine farm origin is significantly associated with the presence of resistant bacteria and resistance genes in wild small mammals in southern Ontario, Canada. However, resistant fecal bacteria were found in small mammals living in all environments studied, indicating that environmental exposure to antimicrobials, antimicrobial residues, resistant bacteria, or resistance genes is widespread.     

High prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant genes and integrons in Escherichia coli isolates from Black-headed Gulls in the Czech Republic

AIMS: To carry out an assessment of the occurrence of resistance to antimicrobials in Escherichia coli that has been isolated from young Black-headed Gulls in three nesting colonies. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 257 isolates were tested for sensitivity to eight antibacterial substances by disk diffusion method. The polymerase chain reaction was used for detecting specific genes of antibacterial resistance and class 1 integrons in resistant E. coli isolates. A total 75 (29.9%) of 257 isolates were resistant to one or more antimicrobial agents. The dominant type of resistance was to tetracycline, detected in 49 (19.1%) isolates. Resistance to ampicillin was detected in 30 (11.7%), cephalothin in 11 (4.3%), streptomycin in 24 (9.3%), sulphonamides in 20 (7.8%) and chloramphenicol in 5 (1.9%) isolates. Nine isolates carrying integrons were detected. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that young Black-headed Gulls are an important host reservoir of resistant E. coli strains, probably reflecting the presence of such strains in their sources of food and/or water. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Although Black-headed Gulls do not naturally come into contact with antibiotics, these birds can be infected with resistant E. coli and potentially serve as their reservoirs, vectors and bioindicators in the environment.     

Increased frequency of integrons and β-lactamase-coding genes among extraintestinal Escherichia coli isolated with a 7-year interval

We analyzed the level of antimicrobial resistance, and the presence of integrons and β-lactamase-coding genes in 69 clinically relevant Escherichia coli strains originating from extraintestinal infections isolated in 1999–2001 and 2008–2010. Comparison of the two groups showed significant differences in drug resistance frequency, and the presence of integron and β-lactamase-coding genes. The frequency of resistance to all antimicrobials beside imipenem, streptomycin, piperacillin/tazobactam, and sulfamethoxazole increased significantly, especially towards aminoglycosides, β-lactams and fluoroquinolones. Similarly, we noticed an increase in the number of strains with integrons from 31.6 to 80.7 %. The presence of integrase genes was associated with elevated frequency of resistance to each antimicrobial tested besides imipenem, piperacillin/tazobactam and ceftazidime. The presence of integrons was also associated with multidrug resistance phenotype. The genetic content of integrons comprised genes determining resistance toward aminoglycosides, sulfonamides and trimethoprim. Moreover, we noticed a significant increase in the frequency of bla _CTX-M β-lactamases, with appearance of bla _CTX-M-15 variant and newer plasmid-encoded β-lactamases like CMY-15 and DHA. The emergence of strains resistant to several classes of antimicrobials and carrying integrons, ESBL and AmpC β-lactamase-coding genes may predict the spread of isolates with limited treatment options.     

Phenotypic and genotypic analysis of bacteria isolated from three municipal wastewater treatment plants on tetracycline‐amended and ciprofloxacin‐amended growth media

Aims: The goal of this study was to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria isolated from three municipal wastewater treatment plants. Methods and Results: Numerous bacterial strains were isolated from three municipal wastewater treatment facilities on tetracycline‐ (n = 164) and ciprofloxacin‐amended (n = 65) growth media. These bacteria were then characterized with respect to their resistance to as many as 10 different antimicrobials, the presence of 14 common genes that encode resistance to tetracycline, the presence of integrons and/or the ability to transfer resistance via conjugation. All of the characterized strains exhibited some degree of multiple antimicrobial resistance, with nearly 50% demonstrating resistance to every antimicrobial that was tested. Genes encoding resistance to tetracycline were commonly detected among these strains, although intriguingly the frequency of detection was slightly higher for the bacteria isolated on ciprofloxacin‐amended growth media (62%) compared to the bacteria isolated on tetracycline‐amended growth media (53%). Class 1 integrons were also detected in 100% of the queried tetracycline‐resistant bacteria and almost half of the ciprofloxacin‐resistant strains. Conjugation experiments demonstrated that at least one of the tetracycline‐resistant bacteria was capable of lateral gene transfer. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that multiple antimicrobial resistance is a common trait among tetracycline‐resistant and ciprofloxacin‐resistant bacteria in municipal wastewater. Significance and Impact of the Study: These organisms are potentially important in the proliferation of antimicrobial resistance because they appear to have acquired multiple genetic determinants that confer resistance and because they have the potential to laterally transfer these genetic determinants to strains of clinical importance.