[Class 1 integron-associated promoters for gene cassette transcription].

In the present paper nucleotide sequences of inner parts of class 1 integrons (natural vectors of cloning and expression of bacterial genes) were determined for the Acinetobacter strains isolated in the Russian medical centres. The similar compositions of inserted gene cassettes are known among the strains disseminated worldwide as minimum as 10 years. Promoter regions directed gene cassettes transcription appeared to be stable parts of integron sequences and mutational shift toward more strengthened type was not revealed.

[ISAba1 insertion sequence in genome of epidemically relevant Acinetobacter strains].

AIM: To detect presence of insertion sequence ISAba1 in genome of strains of Acinetobacter baumanii group isolated in hospitals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Amplification by polymerase chain reaction with oligonucleotide primers specific for ISAba1 region with promoter sequence was performed. RESULTS: Insertion element ISAba1 was detected in A. baumanii strains isolated from cases of nosocomial pneumonia in 5 clinics in different regions of Russian Federation. CONCLUSION: Summing the results of several studies, the mentioned IS element can be considered as epidemiologically relevant (but insufficient) marker of drug-resistant hospital strains of Acinetobacter.

[Emergence of the integron-positive multi-drug resistant strain of Acinetobacter baumanii in Russian hospitals].

AIM: To detect the integron-positive strains among nosocomial Acinetobacter spp. and to determine their relationship on the genotype level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Amplification by polymerase chain reaction using primers specific to sequences of the class 1 and 2 intergrons on the genomic DNA template followed by restriction fragments length polymorphism analysis as well as RAPD-genotyping of the integron-positive strains were performed. RESULTS: Fact of spreading of Acinetobacter baumanii strain containing class 1 integron in medical centers was established. The composition of the integron's gene cassettes was analogous to worldwide (including epidemic) types. CONCLUSION: Molecular genetic analysis of the mobilized structures (integrons) under the standardization of used approaches are suitable for the surveillance for circulation of epidemic strains of nosocomial pathogens.

[Genetic variety of Acinetobacter baumannii in an intensive care unit for burn patients].

The genetic structure of A. baumannii hospital isolates, formed in the course of 2002 - 2004 in an intensive care unit for burn patients (St. Petersburg) was studied. The prolonged circulation of only some clonal strains was shown, 35% of the isolates belonged to dominating strains. Phenotypically, all cultures were characterized by resistance to the preparations of the cephalosporin row and gentamicin. The presence of class 1 integron with variable segment sized 2.5 kbp was found in the genotype of four isolates with the use the polymerase chain reaction. The restriction analysis revealed its similarity with integron, detected earlier (in 1989 - 2001 ) in A. baumannii in European hospitals abroad.

[Integrons of bacteria isolated from aquatic environment].

Bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas, isolated from the water of the lakes Shira and Itkul (Republic of Khakassia, Russia) were shown to contain integrons of class 1 with gene cassettes, contained in the variable segment (sized 1 and 1.3 kb), were shown. Out of three detected integrons only one integron (in P. aeruginosa) included the sulfanilamide resistance gene contained in the 3'-conservative segment. The resistance of bacteria to kanamycin and ceftazidime was not seemingly linked with the presence of integrons. On the whole, the study revealed the presence of a significant proportion (27%) of integron-positive strains among aquatic bacteria with pronounced resistance to antibiotics.

[Terminology of a computer network: notes of a non-epidemiologist].

In the development of discussion on epidemiological terms containing definitions "epidemic" and "epidemiological" variants of these terms as used in electronic documents placed on Internet sites are considered. Both most common combinations and contradictions in the use of some terminological constructions are presented.

[The effect of silver sulfadiazine on Acinetobacter baumannii strains isolated in burn units].

The genotype structure and silver sulfadiazine (SDS) resistance of a number of Acinetobacter baumanii strains that circulated for a prolonged period of time in burn UCUs were studied. The most resistant strain (SDS MIC 50 mcg/ml) contained a class 1 integron with the gene of sulfonamides resistance (sul1) in its genome. Possible reasons for selection of the multiple resistance among Acinetobacter spp. in burn units are discussed.

[PCR genotyping of Acinetobacter hospital isolates]. / PTSR-genotipirovanie gospital'nykh izoliatov Acinetobacter.

A total of 13 Acinetobacter baumannii-13TU isolates obtained from patients of the Perm regional clinical hospital during the period of 1 year, were genotyped in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with universal primers. Acinetobacter cultures could not be distinguished by phenotypic tests and antibiogram and were resistant to B-lactams and gentamicin. According to the results of amplification the obtained isolates could be subdivided into two groups (with 6 and 7 respectively). The detection of "epidemic" strains, including those capable of prolonged (for more than 5 months) persistence in hospital environment, may be indicative of the growing role of Acinetobacter as the causative agent in nosocomial infection.

[Intracellular accumulation of monomer precursors of polyphosphates and polyhydroxyalkanoates from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Escherichia coli]. / Vnutrikletochnoe kontsentrirovanie monomernykh predshestvennikov polifosfatov i poligidroksialkanoatov Acinetobacter calcoaceticus i Escherichia coli.

The formation of polyhydroxyalkanoates granules in anaerobically grown Escherichia coli cells was found to be preceded by the intracellular accumulation of carbonic acids (predominantly, acetic acid), amounting to 9% of the cytosol. The intracellular concentration of acidic metabolites increased after the lyophilization of the bacterial biomass and decreased after its long-term storage (3.5-13.5 years). The decrease in the concentration of acidic metabolites is likely due to the dehydration of dimeric carbonic acids in the viscoelastic cytosol of resting bacterial cells. The hydrophobic obligately aerobic cells of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus IEGM 549 are able to utilize a wide range of growth substrates (from acetate and citrate to hydrophobic hydrocarbons), which is considerably wider than the range of the growth substrates of E. coli (predominantly, carbohydrates). The minimal essential and optimal concentrations of orthophosphates in the growth medium of A. calcoaceticus were found to be tens of times lower than in the case of E. coli. The intracellular content of orthophosphates in A. calcoaceticus cells reached 35-77% of the total phosphorus content (Ptotal), providing for the intense synthesis of polyphosphates. The Ptotal of the A. calcoaceticus cells grown in media with different proportions between the concentrations of acetate and phosphorus varied from 0.7 to 3.3%, averaging 2%. This value of Ptotal is about two times higher than that observed for fermenting E. coli cells. Lowering the cultivation temperature of A. calcoaceticus from 37-32 to 4 degrees C augmented the accumulation of orthophosphates in the cytoplasm, presumably owing to a decreased requirement of growth processes for orthophosphate. In this case, if the concentration of phosphates in the cultivation medium was low, they were completely depleted.