Epidemiology of burn wound bacterial infections at a Meknes hospital, Morocco.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of burn wound infection in the ward of Burns and Plastic Surgery at Mohammed V Hospital, Meknes, Morocco, and to determine the pathogenic bacterial species responsible for this infection as well as the susceptibility of these isolates to various antibiotics. Over the 1-year study period, 126 patients were admitted. The main sources of burns were flames (52.38%) and hot water (28.57%); 71% had burns with 11% to 40% burn surface and 48.41% had burns between 11% and 20% total burn surface. The mean ± SD duration of hospitalization was 22.15 ± 13.84 days after injury. Eighty-six patients were found to have at least one positive culture requiring treatment and were thus included in this study. The predominant bacteria isolated were Staphylococcus aureus (33.85%), followed by Pseudomonas spp. (18.46%), Acinetobacter baumannii (15.38%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (13.85%), Escherichia coli (8.46%) and Proteus mirabilis (4.42%). Disc-diffusion susceptibility testing indicated a high prevalence of resistance to various antimicrobial agents. Among the Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacteriaceae strains isolated, 86.36% were methicillin resistant and 48.64% were extended-spectrum ß-lactamase producers respectively.

Occurrence of genes encoding aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes in Escherichia coli isolates from chicken meat.

1. The aim of the experiment was to determine the occurrence of genes encoding aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (AMEs) in Escherichia coli isolates recovered from chicken meat.2. Antibiotic sensitivity was tested using the disc diffusion test. AMEs and virulence profile were determined by PCR/sequencing.3. Out of 195 meat samples collected, 185 (95%) isolates were identified as E. coli. Disc diffusion showed a resistance value of 22% (n = 42) for at least one of the antibiotic aminoglycosides (AGs) tested (tobramycin, gentamycin, amikacin and kanamycin). PCR screening showed the presence of three classes of AMEs, namely, aac(3)-II (12%), aac(6')-Ib (7%) and aac(2')-Ia (5%). Eight of the 42 isolates were positive for the stx1 and sxt2 genes and were defined as Shiga toxin-producing E coli., while the eae gene was positive in one strain. Among the 42 isolates, group A was the predominant phylogenetic identified (76%), followed by group D (21%). One isolate belonged to subgroup B23.4. The results suggested that chicken meat could be an important reservoir of AMEs, and pose a potential risk by dissemination of resistance to humans through the food chain.

Prevalence and characterization of extended spectrum ß-lactamases in Klebsiella-Enterobacter-Serratia group bacteria, in Algeria.

OBJECTIVES: The authors had for aim to assess the local epidemiology, antibiotic resistance, and molecular typing of expanded spectrum betalactamase producing Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Serratia (ESBL KES). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and seven strains of the KES group were isolated in the microbiology laboratory of the Annaba Ibn Rochd hospital in 2009. The antibiotic resistance (diffusion method and MIC) was tested and ESBL detection was performed as recommended by the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI). The characterization of genes for resistance to ß-lactams (CTX-M-1, TEM, and SHV) and AmpC cephalosporinase (DHA-1) was performed by polymerase chain reaction. The epidemiological relationship among identified strains was analyzed by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). Genetic transfers were performed by conjugation using sodium azide resistant Escherichia coli K(12)J(5) as recipient strain. RESULTS: The overall incidence of ESBL KES was 31.4% (65/207) distributed as follows: 17.4% of Klebsiella spp., 7.2% Enterobacter spp., and 6.8% Serratia marcescens. The ß-lactamase CTX-M 1 types were predominant (88%), followed by TEM (36.5%), and SHV (31.1%). Twenty-three strains expressed at least two bla genes. DHA-1 type cephalosporinase was found in 4 E. cloacae associated with CTX-M-1. Several epidemic clones were determined. Conjugation experiments showed that bla(CTX-M), bla(TEM), and bla(SHV) were carried by conjugative plasmids of high molecular weight (≥125kb). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a high frequency of ESBL KES with a predominance of CTX-M-1. This high rate of ESBLs could be due to a clonal spread and the emergence of new epidemic clones.