Molecular Detection of Plasmid-Mediated Quinolone Resistance Genes (qnrA and aac(6?)-Ib-cr) in Drug Resistant Escherichia coli, Sudan

Background: The quinolone group, a synthetic antimicrobial, is widely used worldwide to treat many diseases, including those caused by Gram-negative bacteria. Escherichia coli and others are among the bacteria that produce quinolone resistance genes (qnr) such as qnrA and aac(6?)-Ib-cr. Objective: The present study aimed to the isolate Escherichia coli from patients attending some Hospitals in Wad Medani city, identification of drug resistance patterns and detection of the frequency of quinolones resistance genes; qnrA and aac(6?)-Ib-cr among isolated strains. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive, hospital-based study included 119 Escherichia coli strains was conducted. A designed questionnaire used for demographic data collection and the attitude toward antimicrobials usage. Clinical specimens were processed for aerobic bacterial isolation and identification. Antimicrobial sensitivity performed by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion technique according to the CLSI guidelines. Presence of qnrA and aac(6?)-Ib-cr genes was assessed by multiplex PCR. Results: Most strains of Escherichia coli originated from urine 53.8% (64/119) and wounds 42.9% (51/119) specimens. Meropenem had the best effect against tested strains with susceptibility of 85% (101/119). Multiplex PCR assay, using specific primers, demonstrated that 41.2% (49/119) and 37.8% (45/119) of isolated Escherichia coli possessed qnrA and aac(6?)-Ib-cr genes respectively. Conclusion: The high rate of qnrA and aac (6)-Ib-cr genes among Escherichia coli necessitate the usage of molecular tools in detecting the genetic determinants of drug resistance microorganisms in countries such as Sudan.

Approach to enhance antibiotics efficiency towards uropathogenic bacteria

@#Aims: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common infection caused by many virulent bacteria. Multidrug resistance (MDR) by bacteria represents a major therapeutic challenge worldwide. MRD bacteria have different mechanisms to avoid antibiotics; one of them is horizontal gene transfer. Such genes, encoding antimicrobial resistance, are easily transferred from one bacterium to another. Magnesium and calcium chloride (MgCl2 and CaCl2) have an effect on the permeability of bacterial cell membrane. We aimed these chemical materials could increase the antibiotics efficiency on multidrug resistance bacteria. 250 UTI specimens were collected to isolate multidrug resistant bacteria. Depending on antibiotics resistance, we selected three species of virulent bacteria: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis. Then, we tested the effect of MgCl2 and CaCl2 on their antibiotics resistance. Methodology and results: The results showed that percentage of E. coli in UTI infection is the highest (45%), while Enterococcus faecalis is the lowest (3%). The effect of MgCl2 and CaCl2 on bacterial antibiotics resistance has been tested using different types of antibiotics. The findings showed that MgCl2 has significant effect to aid antibiotics against bacteria. In particular, nalidixic acid has shown more efficiency against E. coli and S. aureus but not P. mirabilis. Using different concentrations of CaCl2 increased the efficiency of gentamycin, amoxicillin and trimethoprim against S. aureus, while has increased the efficiency of ampicillin and nalidixic acid against E. coli. However, CaCl2 has no effect on the efficiency of antibiotics against P. mirabilis. In addition, MgCl2, and CaCl2 had no toxic effects in both T24 and 5637 urinary bladder cell lines. Finally, plasmids were isolated from these species to detect any antimicrobial resistance gene such as qnr-A. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: MDR distribution in the worldwide was increased, we highly recommend the avoidance of the random antibiotic usages. The salts CaCl2 and/or MgCl2 can be used at specific concentration to enhance the antibiotics permeability and therefore to decrease the antibiotic resistance.

Identification of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes qnrA1, qnrB1 and aac(6')-1b-cr in a multiple drug-resistant isolate of Klebsiella pneumoniae from Chennai. Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology. 2011 Jul-Sept; 29(3): 262-268.

Purpose: Resistance to fluoroquinolones, a commonly prescribed antimicrobial for Gram-negative and Gram-positive microorganisms, is of importance in therapy. The purpose of this study was to screen for the presence of Plasmid-Mediated Quinolone Resistance (PMQR) determinants in clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Materials and Methods: Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) isolates of K. pneumoniae collected during October 2009 were screened by the antimicrobial susceptibility test. The plasmids from these isolates were analysed by specific Polymerase chain Reaction (PCR) for qnrA, qnrB and aac(6')-1b. The amplified products were sequenced to confirm the allele. Results: Our analysis showed that 61% out of the 23 ESBL K. pneumoniae isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin and 56% to levofloxacin. The PMQR was demonstrated by transforming the plasmids from two isolates P12 and P13 into E. coli JM109. The PMQR gene qnrA was found in 16 isolates and qnrB in 11 isolates. The plasmid pKNMGR13 which conferred an minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of more than 240 ΅g/ml in sensitive E. coli was found to harbour the qnrA1 and qnrB1 allele. Furthermore, the gene aac(6')-1b-cr encoding a variant aminoglycoside 6'-N Acetyl transferase which confers resistance to fluoroquinolones was found in the same plasmid. Conclusions: Our report shows the prevalence of PMQR mediated by qnrA and qnrB in multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates from Chennai. A multidrug-resistant plasmid conferring high resistance to ciprofloxacin was found to harbour another PMQR gene, aac(6')-1b-cr mutant gene. This is the first report screening for PMQR in K. pneumoniae isolates from India.

Identification of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes qnrA1, qnrB1 and aac(6')-1b-cr in a multiple drug-resistant isolate of Klebsiella pneumoniae from Chennai.

Purpose: Resistance to fluoroquinolones, a commonly prescribed antimicrobial for Gram-negative and Gram-positive microorganisms, is of importance in therapy. The purpose of this study was to screen for the presence of Plasmid-Mediated Quinolone Resistance (PMQR) determinants in clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Materials and Methods: Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) isolates of K. pneumoniae collected during October 2009 were screened by the antimicrobial susceptibility test. The plasmids from these isolates were analysed by specific Polymerase chain Reaction (PCR) for qnrA, qnrB and aac(6')-1b. The amplified products were sequenced to confirm the allele. Results: Our analysis showed that 61% out of the 23 ESBL K. pneumoniae isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin and 56% to levofloxacin. The PMQR was demonstrated by transforming the plasmids from two isolates P12 and P13 into E. coli JM109. The PMQR gene qnrA was found in 16 isolates and qnrB in 11 isolates. The plasmid pKNMGR13 which conferred an minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of more than 240 ΅g/ml in sensitive E. coli was found to harbour the qnrA1 and qnrB1 allele. Furthermore, the gene aac(6')-1b-cr encoding a variant aminoglycoside 6'-N Acetyl transferase which confers resistance to fluoroquinolones was found in the same plasmid. Conclusions: Our report shows the prevalence of PMQR mediated by qnrA and qnrB in multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates from Chennai. A multidrug-resistant plasmid conferring high resistance to ciprofloxacin was found to harbour another PMQR gene, aac(6')-1b-cr mutant gene. This is the first report screening for PMQR in K. pneumoniae isolates from India.

Detection of a new qnrA7 genotypes in Shewanella algae / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To research the distribution and the characteristics of the plasmid mediated quinolone resistant genes in Shewanella algae. Methods The qnr, qepA, aac(6')-Ib-cr genes were amplified by PCR, then the positive PCR products were sequenced to determine the gene type. The transferability of plasmid mediated quinolone resistance was ensured by conjugation experiment. MICs were measured by E-test. qnrA gene was mapped to plasmids to locate it. Results The qnrA gene were detected in the Shewanella algae, this is a newfound subgroup qnrA7, the GenBank accession no. was GQ463707, qnrB, qnrS,qnrC, qnrD, qepA and aac(6')-Ib-cr genes were not detected. qnrA7 reside in a plasmid about 33 kb, conjugation experiment was unsuccessful. The strain was susceptible to quinolones. Conclusion It deserves paying close attention to the report of an original qnrA subgroup in an isolate of water-borne species of Shewanella algae.

Prevalence of the Extended-Spectrum beta-Lactamase and qnr Genes in Clinical Isolates of Escherichia coli / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of qnr genes in clinical isolates of Escherichia coli from Korea that produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). METHODS: During the period of May to June 2005, we collected clinical isolates of E. coli that were intermediate or resistant to ceftazidime and/or cefotaxime from 11 Korean hospitals. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the disk diffusion and agar dilution methods. ESBL production was confirmed phenotypically by the double-disk synergy test. ESBL and qnr genes were searched for by PCR amplification, and the PCR products were then subjected to direct sequencing. RESULTS: Double-disk synergy tests were positive in 84.3% (118/140) of ceftazidime- and/or cefotaxime-nonsusceptible E. coli isolates. The most prevalent types of ESBL in E. coli isolates were CTX-M-14 (N=41) and CTX-M-15 (N=58). Other ESBLs were also identified, including CTX-M-3 (N=7), CTX-M-9 (N=8), CTX-M-12 (N=1), CTX-M-57 (N=1), SHV-2a (N=2), SHV-12 (N=17) and TEM-52 (N=4). The qnrA1 and qnrB4 genes were identified in 4 and 7 ESBL-producing isolates, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CTX-M-type enzymes were the most common type of ESBL in E. coli isolates from Korea, and the qnr genes were not uncommon in ESBL-producing E. coli isolates. Dissemination of E. coli containing both ESBL and qnr genes could compromise the future usefulness of the expanded-spectrum antibiotics for the treatment of infections.

Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinants in ESBL-producing isolates / 中华临床感染病杂志

Objective To characterize the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinants qnrA in extended-spectrum β-lactamase(ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia.Methods PCR was used to amplify qnrA gene in ESBL-rpoducing isolates(including 263isolates of Escherichia coli and 99 isolates of Klebsiella pneumonia).Conjugation experiments and southern blot hybridization were employed to definitude the location of the genes in ZJ96 isolate of Klebsiella pneumonia which had positive qnrA and CTX-M genes.Shot gun sequencing was performed for analyzing the complete nucleotide sequence of pKP96,a plasmid containing qnrA and CTX-M-24 genes in ZJ96 isolate.Results qnrA was detected in 5 out of 263(1.9%)Escherichia coli isolates and 8 out of 99(8.1%)Klebsiella pneumonia isolates.pKP96,a conjugative plasmid including qnrA gene and CTX-M-24 gene presented in ZJ96 isolate.The sequence of the plasmid pKP96 displayed the qnrA,CTX-M-24,aac(6')-Ib-cr,tetA and int Ⅰ 1 genes.Conclusion The plasmid-mediated genes,such as qnrA and CTX-M,may facilitate the prevalence of multi-drug resistant strains.

Mechanism of the different levels of ciprofloxacin resistance in qnrA-containing transconjugants / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To investigate the mechanism of the different levels of ciprofloxacin resistance in qnrA-containing transconjugants.Methods E. coli J53AzR as the recipient,4 qnrA-containing transconiugants were constructed by conjugation from 4 qnrA-carrying clinical isolates.MICs of the transconjugants were measured by E test.aac(6')-Ib-cr was detected by PCR,and qnrA mRNA expression level was determined by real-time RT-PCR.The promoter sequences of qnrA were amplified by PCR from qnrA-bearing plasmids and cloned into plasmid pKK232-8,then transformed into HB101.All promoter fragments were sequenced.Resuits The MICs of ciprofloxacin against 4 transconjugants demonstrated a 10-fold difference from 0.094 μg/ml to 1.000 μg/m1.Of 4 qnrA-bearing plasmids in E.coli J53,ciprofloxacin MICs of pHS4 and pHS5 were 0.094 μg/ml and 0.125 μg/ml,respectively;pHS3,which contained the aac(6')-Ib-cr gene as well,MIC was 0.25μg/ml;and pHS5,which had a high expression level of qnrA and the aac(6')-Ib-cr gene,MIC was 1.00μg/ml.The relative expression levels of qnrA mRNA in J53 pHS6 was 32.5,much higher than the other 3 transconjugants(from 1.0 to 2.5).The promoter in plasmid pHS6 was 12-fold stronger than that in the other 3 plasmids.Compared with pHS3,there was 7 bp(GTTAGCA)deletion between the transcription initiation site and the start of qnrA in pHS6.Conclusion Co-existence of qnrA and aac(6')-Ib-cr in a single plasmid and high level of qnrA expression can account for the different levels of ciprofloxacin resistance in transconjugants.

Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance in clinical isolates of gram-negative bacilli / 中国感染与化疗杂志

Objective To investigate the importance of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance in the development of quinolone resistance in clinical isolates of gram-negative bacteria.Methods A total of 541 consecutive clinical isolates of gram-negative ba- cilli resistant or intermediate to ciprofloxacin were screened for the qnrA gene by PCR.Conjugation experiments were carried out with azide-resistant E.coli J53 as a recipient.The aac(6')-Ib-cr gene was detected.The mutations in the quinolone-resist- ance-determining region (QRDR) of the gyrA and parC genes were identified in qnrA positive strains.Results qnrA was identi- fied in 7 of the 541 strains.Among the qnrA positive strains,5 were Enterobacter cloacae.No qnrA was detected in nonfer- menters.Quinolone resistance was transferred in 4 of 7 qnrA positive strains.Transconjugants had 12-to 125-fold increases in MIC of ciprofloxacin relative to that of the recipient.Seven strains contained qnrA with a nucleotide sequence identical to that originally reported.Two transconjugants with higher ciprofloxacin MICs contained aac(6')-Ib-cr gene.Mutations occurred in the QRDR of the gyrA and parC genes in 5 PCR-positive clinical strains.Conclusions Transferable plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance associated with qnrA is highly prevalent in clinical strains of Enterobacter spp.aac(6')-Ib-cr gene and mutations in the quinolone targets may co-exist with qnrA,which may contribute to the further increase of resistance to quinolones.