Evaluation of antibiotic resistance analysis and ribotyping for identification of faecal pollution sources in an urban watershed

AIMS: The accuracy of ribotyping and antibiotic resistance analysis (ARA) for prediction of sources of faecal bacterial pollution in an urban southern California watershed was determined using blinded proficiency samples. METHODS AND RESULTS: Antibiotic resistance patterns and HindIII ribotypes of Escherichia coli (n = 997), and antibiotic resistance patterns of Enterococcus spp. (n = 3657) were used to construct libraries from sewage samples and from faeces of seagulls, dogs, cats, horses and humans within the watershed. The three libraries were analysed to determine the accuracy of host source prediction. The internal accuracy of the libraries (average rate of correct classification, ARCC) with six source categories was 44% for E. coli ARA, 69% for E. coli ribotyping and 48% for Enterococcus ARA. Each library's predictive ability towards isolates that were not part of the library was determined using a blinded proficiency panel of 97 E. coli and 99 Enterococcus isolates. Twenty-eight per cent (by ARA) and 27% (by ribotyping) of the E. coli proficiency isolates were assigned to the correct source category. Sixteen per cent were assigned to the same source category by both methods, and 6% were assigned to the correct category. Addition of 2480 E. coli isolates to the ARA library did not improve the ARCC or proficiency accuracy. In contrast, 45% of Enterococcus proficiency isolates were correctly identified by ARA. CONCLUSIONS: None of the methods performed well enough on the proficiency panel to be judged ready for application to environmental samples. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Most microbial source tracking (MST) studies published have demonstrated library accuracy solely by the internal ARCC measurement. Low rates of correct classification for E. coli proficiency isolates compared with the ARCCs of the libraries indicate that testing of bacteria from samples that are not represented in the library, such as blinded proficiency samples, is necessary to accurately measure predictive ability. The library-based MST methods used in this study may not be suited for determination of the source(s) of faecal pollution in large, urban watersheds.     

Penicillin-binding proteins of pathogenic Escherichia coli strains

The penicillin-binding proteins of 11 pathogenic Escherichia coli strains, including enteropathogenic, enterotoxigenic, enteroinvasive, enteroaggregative, and enterohemorrhagic E. coli, were detected in gels following the labeling of isolated cell envelopes with [³H]benzylpenicillin. The electrophoretic profiles, sensitivities to and morphological changes induced by β-lactam antibiotics showed that the penicillin-binding proteins of most pathogenic E. coli possess structural and physiological functions similar to those of E. coli K12.     

Mercury induces multiple antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli through activation of SoxR, a redox-sensing regulatory protein

Sub-inhibitory mercury concentrations are capable of partially activating SoxR, as shown by the augmented expression of a soxS′::lacZ fusion, and a diminished sensitivity to antibiotics caused by mercury treatment. Mercury may elevate the intracellular concentration of superoxide or perhaps act as a putative metal ligand for SoxR.     

Virulence-related DNA sequences and adherence patterns in strains of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli

The presence of the genes for Escherichia coli adherence factor (EAF), attaching and effacing lesion (eae) and bundle-forming pili (bfp) in 72 strains identified as enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) by slide agglutination was evaluated using hybridization and PCR. The adherence property of these strains was assayed using 3h HeLa cells adherence assay. The results obtained indicated that virulence-associated genes were present in 65% of the strains but only ten (13.9%) isolates were positive for all the three markers (typical EPEC), 37 (51.4%) isolates carried either one or two of these determinants (atypical EPEC) and the remaining 25 (34.7%) were negative for all these genes. In vitro adherence assay showed that 44 (61.1%) strains adhered to HeLa cells with a defined pattern, 13 (18.1%) isolates adhered loosely with no definite pattern and the remaining 15 (20.8%) were non-adherent. Analysis of the results showed a statistically significant association between the presence of the virulence-related genes with adherence of the strains with a defined pattern (P相似文献   

Distribution and characterization of integrons in Escherichia coli strains of animal and human origin

One hundred and twenty clinical and commensal Escherichia coli strains isolated in Switzerland from humans and from companion and farm animals were analysed for the prevalence of integrons of classes 1, 2, and 3 and for the characterization of their gene cassettes. The relationships between integron carriage and host category, and between integron carriage and phylogenetic E. coli lineage were also analysed. Integrons were detected in 48 (40%) of the isolates and were thus widely disseminated in the human and animal E. coli strains considered. Moreover, the association between integron carriage and certain animal categories (farm animals) suggests that animals that are raised for economic purposes might be exposed to a major antibiotic pressure. Finally, our data confirm that E. coli commensal strains represent a significant source of antibiotic-resistant determinants.     

Detection of ampicillin and tetracycline resistance genes in uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains by affinity-based nucleic acid hybrid collection

Abstract Uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains were analyzed for the presence of the ampicillin (Ap) and tetracycline (Tc) resistance genes by a novel nucleic acid solution hybridization technique. In this method probe pairs subcloned from the resistance genes are utilized. DNA from single colonies of 20 E. coli strains was released and analyzed without purification by the 3 h hybridization test. The respective resistance genes were easily identified by the test.     

Aerobactin production linked to transferable antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli strains isolated from sewage

Abstract The production of aerobactin has been suggested to be a virulence factor in Escherichia coli . We have studied the production of aerobactin in 155 E. coli strains, isolated from sewage, which carry conjugative antibiotic resistance plasmids, and 88 (57%) of these strains produced aerobactin, and 59 (38%) co-transferred production of the siderophore and antibiotic resistance. In 35 (22%) of the transconjugants, both characters seemed to be encoded into the same plasmid. Those aerobactin-producing-antibiotic resistance plasmids had different sizes and antibiotic resistance patterns. The ecological implications of these results are discussed.     

Occurrence of antibiotic resistance and class 1, 2 and 3 integrons in Escherichia coli isolated from a densely populated estuary (Seine, France)

Over 6 years, Escherichia coli were isolated from water samples from seven Seine estuary stations, characterized by a densely populated watershed (654 isolates). Resistances of these E. coli to 16 antibiotics were determined and compared with the same resistances in E. coli isolated from a small stream (120 isolates) and from the treated effluent of the largest estuary wastewater treatment plant (123 isolates). Between 30.2% and 56.6% of the estuary isolates were resistant, whatever the station or time of sampling; of these, 60.5–80% were resistant to at least two and up to 12 antibiotics. In the three contrasting sites, resistances to tetracycline, amoxicillin and ticarcillin were the commonest. DNA was extracted from 279 estuary isolates (January 2006) and class 1, 2 and 3 integrons were detected by multiplex real-time PCR and confirmed by classic PCR. IntI1 and intI2 genes were found in 11% of isolates. No intI3 gene was detected. The variable regions of the class 1 and 2 integrons sequenced contained predominantly gene cassettes aadA and dfr . However, for slightly over half of the E. coli isolates exhibiting the class 1 integron, the variable region could not be amplified, because part of the 3' conserved sequence was missing.     

The contribution of tellurite resistance genes to the fitness of Escherichia coli uropathogenic strains

The presence of tellurite resistance gene operons has been reported in several human pathogens despite the fact that tellurium, as well as its soluble salts, are both rare in nature and are no longer in use as antimicrobial agents. We have introduced the cloned terWZA-F genes from an uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolate into another clinical E. coli isolate that was shown to be ter-gene free. The presence of the introduced genes increased the level of potassium tellurite resistance, as well as the level of resistance to oxidative stress mediated by hydrogen peroxide; and prolonged the ability of particular strains to survive in macrophages. We therefore propose that the contribution of tellurite resistance genes to oxidative stress resistance in bacteria is at least one reason for their presence in the genomes of a broad range of pathogenic microorganisms.     

佳木斯地区女性泌尿系统感染大肠埃希菌耐药性分析

目的分析女性患者泌尿系统感染大肠埃希菌的耐药性,为临床合理使用抗生素提供依据。方法采用全自动微生物鉴定系统对女性泌尿系统感染患者分离出的病原菌进行鉴定和药敏分析。结果大肠埃希菌非产ESBLs株对氨苄西林、第一、二代头孢菌素类药品高度耐药。大肠埃希菌非产ESBLs株对碳青霉烯类药物美罗培南无耐药,对第三代头孢菌素敏感率高,耐药率低。产ESBLs大肠埃希菌,仅碳青霉烯类抗生素美罗培南敏感。结论女性泌尿系统感染大肠埃希菌的多重耐药性日趋严重,需加强对抗生素使用的规范化管理,合理使用抗菌药物,控制耐药菌的传播和流行。     

重庆地区儿童感染患者11 039株大肠埃希菌的临床分布及耐药性

目的 分析2010—2015年重庆地区儿童感染的11039株大肠埃希菌的临床分布特征及耐药性,为合理应用抗菌药物和预防控制医院感染提供依据。方法 分析大肠埃希菌对19种抗菌药物的耐药性,采用BD Phoenix 100 MIC法结合K-B纸片扩散法进行药敏试验,按美国临床实验室标准化委员会（CLSI）标准判断结果。结果 大肠埃希菌总检出率为13.53%;大肠埃希菌在呼吸病房和新生儿病房的检出率高于其他病房;以痰标本多见,占62.22%（6869/11039）;大肠埃希菌对氨苄青霉素耐药率最高（90.33%）,对美罗培南、亚胺培南的耐药率低,分别为0.81%和0.78%。ESBLs平均检出率为50.98%（5628/11039）。结论 大肠埃希菌的耐药性呈上升趋势,呼吸病房和新生儿病房是预防控制的重点科室。     

Characterization of class 1 integrons-mediated antibiotic resistance among calf pathogenic Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli isolates from calf diarrhea cases (n=22) in the Beijing surrounding region in China were characterized for disease serotype, virulence factors, antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and class 1 integrons. 59% (n=13) of the isolates were positive for the int I1 gene. The presence and genetic content of class 1 integrons in 13 E. coli isolates were examined by PCR and sequencing. Sequencing analysis revealed six gene cassettes, which encoded resistance to trimethoprim (dfrA1, dfrA17), aminoglycosides (aadB, aadA1 and aadA5) and chloramphenicol (cmlA). The gene cassette arrays dfrA1-orf (45%) and aadB-orf-cmlA (32%) were most prevalent among these isolates. These data revealed the high prevalence of class 1 integrons among calf pathogenic E. coli isolates in the Beijing surrounding region in China, which may provide important and useful surveillance information reflecting specific antibiotic selective pressure.     

Aryloxoalcanoic compounds induce resistance to antibiotic therapy in urinary tract infection caused by Escherichia coli

Clofibric acid (CL) is a compound used to control hypertriglyceridemia, and ethacrynic acid (ET) is administered to enhance diuresis. These compounds are structurally analogous to the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), as they have a chlorinated phenoxy moiety. As these agents are mainly excreted by the renal route, they could potentially coexist with Escherichia coli in the urinary tract of infected patients. Induction of the in vitro resistance of E. coli to hydrophilic antibiotics was determined by increasing the values of the minimum inhibitory concentration (2-40-fold). These results correlated with drastically inhibited expression of the hydrophilic bacterial channel OmpF. In vivo assays were performed in ascending urinary tract infection in female BALB/c mice. Treatment with the hydrophilic antibiotic cephalexin 25 mg kg(-1) day(-1) by the oral route diminished renal infection. The CFU mean values in the kidneys were between 75% and 89% lower than those in animals without treatment. Simultaneous exposure to CL (at a therapeutic dose, 28.6 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) did not change the effect of the treatment. In contrast, ET at 2.9 mg kg(-1) day(-1) or 2,4-D at 70 mg kg(-1) day(-1) inhibited the antibiotic therapeutic effect. Moreover, 2,4-D dramatically increased bacterial infection after 9 days of exposure.     

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。     

A novel DNA microarray design for accurate and straightforward identification of Escherichia coli safety and laboratory strains

Escherichia coli K-12, B, C and W strains and their derivates are declared in biological safety guidelines as risk group 1 organisms as they are unable to colonise the human gut.

Differentiation and identification of these safety strains is mainly based on pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), phage sensitivity tests or PCR-based methods. However, these methods are either tedious and time consuming (phage sensitivity, PFGE) or based on single specific fragments (PCR) or patterns (PFGE) lacking additional information for further differentiation of the strains.

In the current study, subtractive hybridisation techniques were applied to detect specific DNA fragments which were used to design a microarray (chip) for accurate and simple identification of these organisms, and to differentiate them from other E. coli strains. The chip can be used to identify E. coli safety strains and monitor them during ongoing experiments for changes in their genome and culture purity. The hybridisation layout of the microarray was arranged in such a way that the respective lineages of safety strains could be easily identified as distinct letters (K, B, C or W). Differentiation of single strains or subtyping was possible with further probes. In addition, a set of probes targeting genes coding for common virulence factors has been included, both to differentiate safety strains from pathogenic variants and to make sure that no transfer of these genes happens during handling or storage. The reliability of the approach has been tested on a comprehensive selection of E. coli laboratory strains and pathogenic representatives.     

Fimbriation, surface hydrophobicity and serum resistance in uropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli

Abstract A total of 80 Escherichia coli strains were examined for expression of P-fimbriae, mannose-sensitive haemagglutination (MSHA) and mannose-resistant haemagglutination (MRHA) of human group A erythrocytes and guinea pig erthrocytes, cell surface hydrophobicity and resistance to serum bactericidal activity. Isolates were obtained from urine of children and adults, either with acute pyelonephritis ( n = 15 and n = 12) or lower urinary tract infection (UTI) ( n = 30 and n = 23, respectively). Results obtained showed that, in E. coli strains isolated both from children and adults with lower UTI, significant differences were not found concerning the incidence of P-fimbriae, cell surface hydrophobicity and serum resistance. In pyelonephritogenic E. coli isolated from children and adults, the incidence of P-fimbriae and cell surface hydrophobicity was associated more frequently with the former (87% vs. 42% and 100% vs. 67%, P < 0.05), while serum resistance was associated with the latter (47% vs. 67%, P < 0.05).     

ICU病区大肠埃希菌中qnr基因的分布与耐药性的研究

目的调查温州医科大学附属第一医院ICU病区分离的大肠埃希菌基因的分布以及与耐药谱的关系,并初步探讨其在分子流行病学中的作用。方法收集2012年1-9月ICU病区分离的大肠埃希菌76株进行qnr基因检测,并通过DNA直接测序确定;分析qnr基因在ICU病区分离的大肠埃希菌的分布及其与耐药性的关系。结果根据PCR产物片段大小及测序分析,76株大肠埃希菌中共有qm基因阳性菌株46株,阳性率为60. 5% ;对阳性菌株进行DNA测序、BLAST比对,其中25株为qnrB基因,17株为qnrS基因阳性,12株基因阳性,未检测到qwC和qnrD基因。在46株qnr基因阳性菌株中有38株为产ESBL菌株,而在qnr阴性菌株中仅有5株ESBL阳性。结论该院ICU分离大肠埃希菌qnr基因携带严重,呈现出多重耐药性,多伴随呈现为产ESBL菌株。     

Isolation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains that do not produce Shiga toxin from bovine, avian and environmental sources

AIMS: To determine the potential for naturally occurring Shiga toxin-negative Escherichia coli O157 to acquire stx(2) genes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Multiple E. coli O157:H7 isolates positive for eae and ehxA, but not for stx genes, were isolated from cattle, water trough sediment, animal bedding and wild bird sources on several Ohio dairy farms. These isolates were experimentally lysogenized by stx(2)-converting bacteriophage. CONCLUSIONS: Shiga toxin-negative strains of E. coli O157 are present in multiple animal and environmental sources. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Shiga toxin-negative strains of E. coli O157 present in the food production environment are able to acquire the stx genes, demonstrating their potential to emerge as new Shiga toxin-producing E. coli strains.