Abstract
BackgroundChromosomally encoded AmpC β-lactamases may be acquired by transmissible plasmids which consequently can disseminate into bacteria lacking or poorly expressing a chromosomal blaAmpC gene. Nowadays, these plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamases are found in different bacterial species, namely Enterobacteriaceae, which typically do not express these types of β-lactamase such as Klebsiella spp. or Escherichia coli. This study was performed to characterize two E. coli isolates collected in two different Portuguese hospitals, both carrying a novel CMY-2-type β-lactamase-encoding gene.FindingsBoth isolates, INSRA1169 and INSRA3413, and their respective transformants, were non-susceptible to amoxicillin, amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid, cephalothin, cefoxitin, ceftazidime and cefotaxime, but susceptible to cefepime and imipenem, and presented evidence of synergy between cloxacilin and cefoxitin and/or ceftazidime. The genetic characterization of both isolates revealed the presence of blaCMY-46 and blaCMY-50 genes, respectively, and the following three resistance-encoding regions: a Citrobacter freundii chromosome-type structure encompassing a blc-sugE-blaCMY-2-type-ampR platform; a sul1-type class 1 integron with two antibiotic resistance gene cassettes (dfrA1 and aadA1); and a truncated mercury resistance operon.ConclusionsThis study describes two new blaCMY-2-type genes in E. coli isolates, located within a C. freundii-derived fragment, which may suggest their mobilization through mobile genetic elements. The presence of the three different resistance regions in these isolates, with diverse genetic determinants of resistance and mobile elements, may further contribute to the emergence and spread of these genes, both at a chromosomal or/and plasmid level.
Highlights
Encoded AmpC β-lactamases may be acquired by transmissible plasmids which can disseminate into bacteria lacking or poorly expressing a chromosomal blaAmpC gene
This study describes two new blaCMY-2-type genes in E. coli isolates, located within a C. freundii-derived fragment, which may suggest their mobilization through mobile genetic elements
AmpC β-lactamases, along with Class A β-lactamases, are a major group of clinically important enzymes [1,2]. They belong to class C according to the Ambler classification and to group 1 following the functional classification of Bush-Jacoby [3,4], whose prevalence is increasing worldwide [1]; these β-lactamases are associated with infections caused by pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae
Summary
Encoded AmpC β-lactamases may be acquired by transmissible plasmids which can disseminate into bacteria lacking or poorly expressing a chromosomal blaAmpC gene. Nowadays, these plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamases are found in different bacterial species, namely Enterobacteriaceae, which typically do not express these types of β-lactamase such as Klebsiella spp. or Escherichia coli. We performed the phenotypic and molecular characterization of two new CMY-2-types (designated CMY-46 and CMY-50), both encoded by probably chromosomal inducible ampC genes, produced by two clinical E. coli isolates. The genetic environment of blaCMY-46 and blaCMY-50 was investigated
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