Abstract
BackgroundEscherichia coli O25b-B2-ST131 are considered virulent extra-intestinal pathogens causing serious clinical complications such as urinary tract infection and bacteraemia. Our main objectives in this study were to characterise the multi-drug resistant (MDR) isolates of this lineage in Kuwait, and to demonstrate whether reduced susceptibility is spread clonally.ResultsA subset of 83 (10%) non-duplicate and non-selective E. coli O25b-B2-ST131 out of 832 MDR E. coli was identified and collected. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of the isolates were determined and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was used for typing.The majority (95.2%) of the 83 E. coli O25b-B2-ST131 harboured at least one bla gene with blaCTX-M-15 being the most prevalent. blaCTX-M-2 was present in one isolate. Also one isolate harboured blaCTX-M-56, qnrB1 and blaCMY-2 genes and carried IncF1 plasmids of about 97 kb and160 kb. qnrB and qnrS were found in 8 other blaCTX-M-15 containing isolates. The blaNDM, blaIMP, blaVIM and qnrA were not detected, however, the blaOXA-48 was present in two (2.4%).ConclusionsThe majority of isolates harbouring qnr genes demonstrated relatedness (≥85%) by PFGE. However, the diversity in PFGE profiles for the other MDR isolates reflected the changes in population genetics of E. coli O25b-B2-ST131. We identified for the first time the appearance of blaCTX-M-2 in the Middle East and blaCTX-M-56 outside the Latin American countries. The isolate harbouring blaCTX-M-56 also contained qnrB1 and blaCMY-2 genes and carried IncF1 plasmids. The appearance of a highly virulent E. coli O25b-ST131 that is resistant to penicillins, most cephalosproins, β-lactamase inhibitors as well as fluoroquinolones is a cause for concern.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12866-014-0214-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Escherichia coli O25b-B2-ST131 are considered virulent extra-intestinal pathogens causing serious clinical complications such as urinary tract infection and bacteraemia
Escherichia coli belonging to the phylogenic group B2, serotype O25b:H4 and Multi-Locus Sequence Type (ST) 131 (E. coli O25b-B2-ST131), producing extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) is regarded as a major pandemic clone in community and hospitals causing serious clinical infections such as urinary tract infections and bacteraemia [1]
We aimed to address this issue by systematically characterising the multi-drug resistant (MDR) isolates of E. coli O25b-B2-ST131 recovered from patients in order to use these findings as a source for future reference studies and surveillances
Summary
Escherichia coli O25b-B2-ST131 are considered virulent extra-intestinal pathogens causing serious clinical complications such as urinary tract infection and bacteraemia. Escherichia coli belonging to the phylogenic group B2, serotype O25b:H4 and Multi-Locus Sequence Type (ST) 131 (E. coli O25b-B2-ST131), producing extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) is regarded as a major pandemic clone in community and hospitals causing serious clinical infections such as urinary tract infections and bacteraemia [1]. CTX-M-15 producing strains often co-produce both OXA-1 as well as variants of an aminoglycosidemodifying enzyme that is responsible for reduced susceptibility both to the aminoglycosides and to some fluoroquinolones expressed by aac(6’)-Ib-cr genes [5,6]. The NDM-like enzymes have been identified in different regions [16] including in clinical K. pneumoniae isolates from Kuwait [17] and Oman [18] in the Middle East
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