oqxAB Genes Research Articles

Dissemination of Escherichia coli carrying plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes from swine farms to surroundings

Different samples were collected from three swine farms in China to investigate the spread of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli. A total of 130 E. coli isolates were obtained from feces, air, river water, silt, and soil samples and characterized. The susceptibility of the E. coli isolates to 19 antibiotics was tested. The results revealed that the resistance rates of the E. coli isolates against 9 antibiotics were high. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and nalidixic acid were mainly in the ranges of 2–64, 8–64, and 8–64 μg/ml. The plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes qnr, aac(6′)-Ib-cr, qepA, and oqxAB were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the similarity of E. coli from different samples was identified by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The detection rates of the qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, aac(6′)-Ib-cr, qepA, and oqxAB genes in the E. coli isolates from three swine farms were in the range of 10.87–23.08%, 13.04–20.51%, 40.00–43.48%, 30.43–38.46%, 6.52–12.82%, and 7.69–17.39%, respectively. The PFGE result showed that 49% (49/100) of isolates originating from air, river water, soil, and silt samples had ≥85% similarity to fecal-obtained isolates, and 40.82% (20/49) of them shared the same PMQR genes with fecal-obtained isolates. This indicated that E. coli carrying PMQR genes and originating from feces in swine farms could spread to the external environment, which could be a potential threat to the public environment and human health.

Characterization of Acquired Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Environmental Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Isolates from Brazil.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an opportunist pathogen that has intrinsic resistance to the majority of antibiotics and has a high ability to adapt in different environments; however, there are few reports of acquired resistance genes in S. maltophilia. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial resistance profile, the presence of mutations in the quinolone-resistance determining region, the presence of acquired resistance genes, and the different plasmid families in S. maltophilia isolated from Brazilian soils. A total of 16 isolates were obtained from a variety of agricultural soils with different cultures of Brazil and they were nonsusceptible to most of the antibiotics tested. No mutations were detected in the gyrA gene and only one (Ser-80-Ile) was detected in the parC gene. A diversity of acquired resistance genes was found, including the qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, oqxA, oqxB, blaSHV, blaCTX-M-Gp1, blaPER, blaOXA-1-like, blaOXA-48-like, and sul1. All isolates presented ColE-like plasmids and only one presented IncL/M. These results show, for the first time, the presence of qnrA and oqxAB genes and the presence of qnrB and qnrS genes for the second time in the world in S. maltophilia.

Co-occurrence of biofilm formation and quinolone resistance in Salmonella enterica serotype typhimurium carrying an IncHI2-type oqxAB-positive plasmid

The objective of this study was to investigate the co-occurrence of biofilms and quinolone resistance in Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium mediated by IncHI2-type oqxAB-positive plasmids. Among the 40 Salmonella strains, we found that 27 isolates formed biofilms and displayed identical multidrug-resistance profiles to ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, ampicillin and streptomycin, based on biofilm formation assays and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. In particular, a single S. Typhimurium isolate named SC523 produced the thickest biofilms and exhibited the highest-level resistance (MIC = 8 μg/mL) to ciprofloxacin compared to those of the other isolates. The detection of known plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes and point mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) by PCR assay showed that oqxAB genes were present in 27 biofilm-positive isolates. Conjugation experiments, S1-pulse-field gel electrophoresis and biofilm formation assays demonstrated that the conjugative plasmid that encoded biofilms and quinolone resistance in Salmonella SC523 could be transferred to a recipient with a frequency of 4.7 × 10−3 per recipient cell. The results of PCR-based replicon typing (PBRT) showed that the IncHI2-type plasmids accounted for 100% of the biofilm-oqxAB-positive isolates and transconjugants. The sequence analysis of Salmonella SC523 confirmed that the oqxAB cassette and fourteen DNA transfer genes in the IncHI2-type oqxAB-positive conjugative plasmid were genetically responsible for the phenotypic quinolone resistance and biofilm formation. The conclusion is that the IncHI2-type plasmid in S. Typhimurium isolate from chicken farm was identified and sequenced, which contained oqxAB and tra/trh and encoded quinolone resistance and biofilms, and could be transferred to recipients through conjugation. Notably, the prevalence of IncHI2-type biofilm-oqxAB-positive plasmids in animal-origin Salmonella poses a threat to public health, as these Salmonella from poultry farms show a decreased susceptibility to quinolones and could spread to humans.

Unravelling mechanisms of nitrofurantoin resistance and epidemiological characteristics among Escherichia coli clinical isolates

The aim of this study was to investigate mechanisms of nitrofurantoin resistance and epidemiological characteristics in Escherichia coli clinical isolates. From a total of 1444 E. coli clinical isolates collected from our hospital in 2015, 18 (1.2%) nitrofurantoin-resistant E. coli isolates were identified with nitrofurantoin minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 128 µg/mL to ≥512 µg/mL. The prevalence of the nfsA gene in nitrofurantoin-resistant, -intermediate and -susceptible isolates was 88.9%, 88.9% and 100%, respectively, and the prevalence of the nfsB gene was 66.7%, 61.1% and 100%, respectively. Eight nitrofurantoin-resistant isolates and two nitrofurantoin-intermediate isolates possessed oqxAB genes. In nitrofurantoin-resistant isolates, mutations in NfsA (the majority of mutated sites were I117T and G187D, accounting for 38.9%) and/or NfsB were detected, whereas only NfsA mutations were found in intermediate isolates and no sequence changes were detected in susceptible isolates. A ≥4-fold decrease in MIC was observed in eight nitrofurantoin-resistant isolates following addition of the efflux pump inhibitor carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP). The mean expression level of oqxB in nitrofurantoin-resistant isolates increased ca. 7-fold compared with intermediate isolates. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) categorised the 18 nitrofurantoin-resistant isolates into 11 different sequence types. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis revealed that homology among the nitrofurantoin-resistant isolates was low and sporadic. In conclusion, mutations in nfsA and nfsB were the main mechanisms leading to nitrofurantoin resistance, and overexpression of the oqxAB gene might help to further increase the MIC of nitrofurantoin.

Identification and prevalence of RND family multidrug efflux pump oqxAB genes in Enterococci isolates from swine manure in China.

The resistance/nodulation/cell division (RND) family multidrug efflux pump, OqxAB, has been identified as one of the leading mechanisms of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance and has become increasingly prevalent among Enterobacteriaceae in recent years. However, oqxAB genes have not yet been reported in Enterococcus isolates. The aim of the present study was to identify the oqxAB genes and investigate their prevalence among Enterococcus from swine manure in China. The oqxAB genes were screened in 87 Enterococcus isolates by PCR. The transferability of the oqxAB genes in Enterococcus was determined by conjugation experiments. The genetic environment of oqxAB genes was investigated by cloning experiments, PCR mapping and sequencing. A high prevalence (86.2 %) of olaquindox resistance was observed in Enterococcus and 98.9 % isolates exhibited multidrug-resistance phenotypes. The occurrence of oqxA and oqxB in Enterococcus was also high (79.3 and 65.5 %, respectively). Sequence analysis of the cloned fragment indicated that the oqxAB cassette was linked to an incomplete Tn5 transposon containing aph(3')-IIa and flanked by IS26 [IS26-oqxAB-IS26-aph(3')-IIa]. The oqxAB-aph(3')-IIa-positive transconjugant or transformant showed resistance or reduced susceptibility to enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, olaquindox, mequindox, florfenicol, neomycin and kanamycin. This is the first time that the oqxAB genes have been identified in Enterococcus faecalis from swine manure. The genetic linkage of oqxAB-aph(3')-IIa in Enterococcus has not been described before. The high prevalence of oqxAB genes in Enterococcus suggests that it may constitute a reservoir for oqxAB genes and pose a potential threat to public health.

Plasmid-Mediated Quinolone Resistance in Gram-Negative Pathogens Isolated from Cancer Patients in Egypt.

Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are the drugs of choice for prophylaxis of bacterial infections in immunocompromised cancer patients. This study aimed to investigate FQ resistance and the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants in 239 Gram-negative isolates collected at a tertiary care cancer hospital in Cairo, Egypt. Disc diffusion and broth microdilution tests showed that 70.7% of the isolates were nonsusceptible to ciprofloxacin (MIC50 = 64 μg/ml). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed that 53.6% of the isolates carried at least one PMQR determinant, of which 23.4% were susceptible to ciprofloxacin. The most prevalent gene, aac(6')-Ib-cr, was identified in 36.8% of the isolates, while qnr genes were harbored by 31.0% (qnrS, 24.3%; qnrB, 7.1%, and qnrA, 0.4%). The oqxAB genes were only detected in Klebsiella sp. isolates (92.5%). PMQR determinants were more likely detectable among isolates recovered from pediatric patients than adults (59.3% vs. 43.8%) and were significantly associated with ceftriaxone and gentamicin resistance. A combined genetic analysis using random amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-PCR showed that most of the qnr-positive isolates were not clonal. Findings of the current study raised concerns about the efficacy of prophylactic use of FQs in cancer patients in our region. It also demonstrates the possible role of PMQR-positive ciprofloxacin-susceptible isolates in the dissemination of resistance to other antimicrobial agents and the urgent need to reconsider the existing FQ breakpoints defined by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute.

Prevalence and molecular characterization of oqxAB in clinical Escherichia coli isolates from companion animals and humans in Henan Province, China

BackgroundThe plasmid-encoded multidrug efflux pump oqxAB confers bacterial resistance primarily to olaquindox, quinolones, and chloramphenicol. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of oqxAB among Escherichia coli isolates from dogs, cats, and humans in Henan, China and the susceptibilities of E. coli isolates to common antibiotics.MethodsFrom 2012 to 2014, a total of 600 samples which included 400 rectal samples and 200 clinical human specimens were tested for the presence of E. coli. All isolates were screened for oqxAB genes by PCR and sequencing. The MICs of 11 antimicrobial agents were determined by the broth microdilution method. A total of 30 representative oqxAB-positive isolates were subjected to ERIC-PCR and MLST. Additionally, conjugation experiments and southern hybridizations were performed.ResultsOf 270 isolates, 58.5% (62/106) of the isolates from dogs, 56.25% (36/64) of the isolates from cats, and 42.0% (42/100) of the isolates from humans were positive for the oqxAB. Olaquindox resistance was found for 85.7%-100% of oqxAB-positive isolates. Of oqxAB-positive isolates from dogs, cats, and humans, ciprofloxacin resistance was inspected for 85.8%, 59.1%, and 93.8%, respectively. Several oqxAB-positive isolates were demonstrated by ERIC-PCR and MLST, and have high similarity. Phylogenetic analysis showed that oqxAB-positive isolates could be divided into 7 major clusters. OqxAB-positive conjugants were obtained, southern hybridization verified that the oqxAB gene complex was primarily located on plasmids.ConclusionIn conclusion, oqxAB-positive isolates were widespread in animals and humans in Henan, China. Carriage of oqxAB on plasmids of E. coli isolates may facilitate the emergence of multidrug resistant and its transmission via horizontal transfer, and might pose a potential threat to public health.

Characteristics of Escherichia coli isolated from broiler chickens with colibacillosis in commercial farms from a common hatchery

To investigate the epidemiologic aspects of colibacillosis in broiler chickens, 83 Escherichia coli isolates obtained from the pericarditis and perihepatitis lesions in broiler chickens from 4 commercial farms, 5 isolates recovered from 5 samples of yolk sac contents that were pooled from 25 emaciated chicks, and 4 fecal isolates obtained from a hatchery that supplied chicks to the 4 commercial farms mentioned above were genetically and bacteriologically characterized. Using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), a total of 92 isolates were classified into 33 pulsotypes. Identical pulsotypes were observed in isolates obtained from hatchery samples and the affected broiler chickens on multiple farms at various sampling times. Seventeen representative isolates with no common origin belonging to 6 pulsotypes and an additional 27 isolates with the other pulsotypes were used for further experiments. Isolates with identical pulsotypes exhibited common traits for virulence-associated genes, lipopolysaccharide core types, and phylogenetic groups. Nine of the isolates were serologically typed as O125 with various types of H antigens and 3 were typed as O25:H4. In the 27 isolates resistant to ceftiofur (CTF), which is a third generation cephalosporin, the blaCTX-M-2, blaCMY-2, blaCTX-M-14, blaCTX-M-65 genes were found in 15, 8, 3, and 1 isolate(s), respectively, and another isolate resistant to CTF had both the blaCTX-M-2 and the blaCMY-2 genes. In the 16 isolates with the blaCTX-M-2 gene, the chromosomal location of the gene was identified in 12 isolates. The plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes, oqxAB and aac(6')-Ib-cr, were found in 2 and 3 isolates, respectively. Conjugation experiments revealed that the blaCTX-M-2 (4 isolates), blaCTX-M-14 (3 isolates), blaSHV-12 (1 isolate), and oqxAB (2 isolates) genes were transferred. Our data suggest that E. coli strains with identical pulsotypes had been caused the incidences of colibacillosis and that the antimicrobial resistance genes on conjugative plasmids and those integrated into the chromosome may be spread among avian pathogenic E. coli strains in multiple farms.

High Prevalence of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Wild Fish from the Mediterranean Sea in Algeria.

We investigated the prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae among wild fish from the coast of Bejaia (Algeria) in the Mediterranean Sea. From March 2012 to August 2013, gut and gill samples of wild fish were screened for the presence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Strains were characterized with regard to antibiotic resistance, β-lactamase content, plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance, aminoglycoside resistance genes, and clonality (repetitive sequence-based polymerase chain reaction profiles and multilocus sequence typing). Virulence traits were performed for Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. Of the 300 fish studied, 64 (21.3%) isolates were screened as positive for ESBL producing by the double-disc method. The isolates corresponded to E. coli, K. pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Morganella morganii, Citrobacter freundii, and Proteus vulgaris. A predominance of blaCTX-M gene was observed with a prevalence of 60.5% (n = 46). Furthermore, our study describes the association of important coresistance and virulence factors in E. coli and K. pneumoniae. Twelve of the ESBL producers carried genes of the qnr family and oqxAB gene and six carried the aac(6')-Ib-cr gene. Our results highlight for the first time the diffusion of multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates carrying resistance and virulence genes in fish from the Mediterranean Sea in Algeria.

Quinolone Resistance Detection by PCR-RFLP and Multiplex-PCR among Extended- Spectrum β- Lactamase Producing Enterobacteriaceae

Quinolone resistance limits the therapeutic potential for the Extended-Spectrum β- lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae. The aim of this study was to investigate the most common mechanisms of quinolones resistance in ESBL- producing Enterobacteriaceae using both phenotypic and genotypic methods. Out of 1766 clinical isolates collected between October 2012 and September 2013, 219 Enterobacteriaceae clinical isolates were ESBL producers, nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin resistant were identified by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDITOF/ MS) and the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values of ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid wasdetected before and after addition of phenylalanine-arginine β-naphthylamide (PaβN) efflux pump inhibitor. Thirty three isolates were selected for screening of the plasmid-mediated fluoroquinolone resistance (PMQR) genes; (qnr, aac(6’)-Ib-cr and qepA) and the efflux pump genes (oqxAB genes) by multiplex PCR. Whereas GyrA and ParC genes mutations were detected by PCR-RFLP assay. The PaβN changed the MIC values of 28 isolates. The GyrA gene mutation was detected in 24/33 (72.7%), while the par C gene mutation was detected in 3/33 (9.1%). Qnr-genes were detected in 13/33 (39.4%), aac(6')-Ib gene was detected in 24/33 (72.7%). qepA gene was detected in only one Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate. Finally the oqxA gene was detected in 16/33 (48.5%) of the studied isolates. The present study indicated that the PaβN was an effective phenotypic screening method for quinolones resistance efflux pump; moreover PCR-RFLP offered simple and rapid method for detection of ciprofloxacin-resistance that could be useful for clinical diagnosis and epidemiological studies.

Impact of plasmid-borne oqxAB on the development of fluoroquinolone resistance and bacterial fitness in Escherichia coli.

To investigate the impact of plasmid-borne oqxAB genes on the development of fluoroquinolone resistance, mutations and bacterial fitness in Escherichia coli . MICs and mutation prevention concentrations were compared among E. coli strain TOP10 and two corresponding transformants harbouring the OqxAB-encoding plasmids. Mutants were selected by serial passages with the 0.5-fold MIC of ciprofloxacin, and were randomly selected to determine mutations. Bacterial fitness was evaluated by competition assays in vitro and in vivo . The oqxAB -carrying plasmids contributed to a 4-8-fold increase in the ciprofloxacin MIC and increased the ciprofloxacin mutation prevention concentration by 8-16-fold. The MIC of ciprofloxacin for the two transformants increased faster than that of E. coli TOP10 by serial passaging. Novel mutations in gyrB (A468P or F458V) were first observed. Mutations in gyrA were distributed at codons 87 and 83 in the two transformants, whereas mutation A119E in gyrA dominated in the TOP10 mutants. Although the two oqxAB -bearing plasmids caused a decrease in fitness in vitro , their fitness increased when combined with more than one chromosomal mutation, and clear biological benefits were observed in vivo . The mutations in gyrB were associated with a fitness cost, which could be compensated for by additional mutations. The novel mutation gyrA ΔS83 significantly reduced biological fitness both in vitro and in vivo , and was thus quickly replaced by more beneficial mutations in the population. The possession of plasmid-borne oqxAB may facilitate the evolution of fluoroquinolone resistance, and the fitness cost of OqxAB-encoding plasmids could be compensated by additional chromosomal mutations.

Impact of enrofloxacin and florfenicol therapy on the spread of OqxAB gene and intestinal microbiota in chickens

Horizontal transfer of plasmid-encoded multidrug-resistant determinants is a major health problem and has attracted much public attention. We studied the dissemination of the efflux pump gene oqxAB located on transferable plasmid pHXY0908 between Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli in the gut of chickens. After an inoculation with Salmonella Typhimurium harboring oqxAB-bearing plasmid pHXY0908, chickens were treated with enrofloxacin and florfenicol. Inoculated, but non-treated chickens were included as a control group. Our results revealed that commensal E. coli isolates from the gut of chickens acquired the oqxAB-bearing plasmid in both treated and non-treated groups. Additionally, in the florfenicol treatment group, the average isolation rate of oqxAB-positive E. coli was significantly higher than that in the non-treated group. PFGE analysis showed that oqxAB-positive E. coli strains belonged to different patterns with one predominating. Moreover, multilocus sequence typing analysis revealed that E. coli ST533 was closely associated with the spread of oqxAB gene. qPCR analysis indicated that antibiotic administration provided selective advantages for sustaining a significantly high level of oqxAB gene from the DNA extracted from the feces. There was also a fluctuation in the intestinal microbiota with antibiotic therapy. In conclusion, the present study indicates that the oqxAB gene could be readily spread within the intestinal microflora. This could be enhanced by administrated with clinical doses of florfenicol and enrofloxacin, resulting in the enlargement of resistance gene reservoirs. In addition, ST533 E. coli isolates were found to contribute to transfer of the oqxAB gene.

Investigation of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes in quinolone-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. isolates from bloodstream infections

One of the treatment options of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. infections which are the most common opportunistic pathogens of gram-negative sepsis is quinolones. Resistance to quinolones which act by disrupting DNA synthesis has been increasing. Horizontal transfer of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes play an important role in the spread of resistance. The data about the prevalence of PMQR genes in our country is quite limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of known PMQR genes namely qnrA, qnrB, qnrC, qnrS, qnrD, aac(6')-Ib-cr, qepA and oqxAB amongst quinolone-resistant E. coli and Klebsiella spp. strains isolated from blood cultures. One hundred twenty seven E.coli and 66 Klebsiella isolates detected as nalidixic acid- and/or ciprofloxacin-resistant by phenotypical methods, from 193 blood samples of 187 patients admitted to Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology, Bacteriology Unit of Patient Service Laboratory between January 2012 to August 2013 were included in the study. The presence of PMQR genes were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and for the detection of aac(6')-Ib-cr variants PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used. The positive bands were sequenced using the same primers, and aligned with formerly defined resistance gene sequences, and confirmed. In the study, 56.7% (72/127) of E.coli and 19.7% (13/66) of Klebsiella spp. isolates, with a total of 44% (85/193) of all the isolates were found to be phenotypically resistant to quinolones. Of the 13 resistant Klebsiella isolates, 11 were K.pneumoniae, and two were K.oxytoca. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing isolates showed higher resistance (50/80, 62.5%) to quinolones than the negative ones (35/113, 30.9%). The prevalence of quinolone resistance genes among resistant E. coli and Klebsiella spp. isolates was determined as qnrA, 1.4% and 15.4%; qnrB, 4.2% and 61.5%; qnrS, 1.4% and 7.7%; qepA, 1.4% (only E.coli); aac(6')-1b-cr, 38.9% and 92.3%; and oqxAB, 1.4% and 84.6%, respectively. qnrC and qnrD genes were not detected. Carriage of multiple resistance genes were observed more frequently among resistant Klebsiella isolates than E.coli strains. As a result, in this study investigating the contribution of transferrable genes to quinolone resistance, prevalence of PMQR genes in quinolone-resistant and blood isolates of E.coli and Klebsiella in our university hospital serving the region were found to be higher than the current data reported from the other studies in our country. Furthermore, this study presented the initial data for the first time in our country on the prevalence of qnrD which was undetected, and the frequency of oqxAB gene in clinical samples. However, location of oqxAB gene needs to be confirmed by conjugation or hybridization methods.

Clonal relationship between human and avian ciprofloxacin-resistant Escherichia coli isolates in North-Eastern Algeria.

The objectives of this study were to determine rates, patterns, and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, and to assess connections between chicken commensal, human commensal, and pathogenic ciprofloxacin-resistant Escherichia coli isolates. All E. coli isolates collected from chickens, their farmers, and patients in the Constantine region (North-east Algeria) were analyzed for bla and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) gene contents, phylogroups, Rep-PCR profiles, and multilocus sequence types. A high prevalence of resistance to fluoroquinolones (51.4 % to ciprofloxacin) was recorded in avian isolates. Of these, 22.2 % carried the aac(6')-Ib-cr gene, whereas lower resistance levels to these antibiotics were recorded in chicken farmers' isolates. None of the commensal isolates harbored the qnr, qepA, or oqxAB genes. One human pathogenic isolate was ertapenem-resistant and harbored the bla OXA-48 gene, 84 showed an extended-spectrum β-lactamase phenotype, with bla CTX-M-15 gene prevalent in 87.2 % of them. Seventy isolates were resistant to fluoroquinolones, with aac(6')-Ib-cr present in 72.8 %, qnrB in 5.7 %, and qnrS in 10 %. Three Rep-PCR profiles were common to chicken commensal and human pathogenic isolates (phylogroups D and B1; ST21, ST48, and ST471 respectively); one was found in both chicken and chicken-farmer commensal strains (D; ST108), while another profile was identified in a chicken-farmer commensal strain and a human pathogenic one (B1; ST19). These findings suggest clonal and epidemiologic links between chicken and human ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli isolates and the important role that poultry may play in the epidemiology of human E. coli infections in the Constantine region.

Prevalence and characteristics of extended-spectrum β-lactamase genes in Escherichia coli isolated from piglets with post-weaning diarrhea in Heilongjiang province, China.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes in Escherichia coli isolated from post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) piglets in Heilongjiang province, China.Methods: Of 458 E. coli isolated from 589 fecal samples from PWD piglets, a total of 198 isolates were confirmed as ESBL producers by the double-disk synergy test (DDST). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing were performed to identify genes for ESBL, plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR), and integrons.Results: Of the 198 isolates, blaCTX−M and blaTEM were detected in 191 and 149 isolates, respectively. Sequencing revealed that 10 blaCTX−M subtypes were detected, and blaCTX−M−14 was the most prevalent, followed by blaCTX−M−55 and blaCTX−M−65. Of the 149 TEM-positive strains, four were blaTEM−52 and the rest were blaTEM−1. Among the 198 ESBL-positive isolates, 173 isolates were found to harbor at least one PMQR gene, with oqxAB, qnrS, qnrB, qepA, and aac(6′)-Ib-cr being detected alone or in combination in 125, 114, 26, 24, and 45 strains, respectively. One hundred and fifty-five ESBL-positive isolates were also positive for class I integron (int1), and eight different gene cassette arrays were confirmed in 110 isolates by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and DNA sequencing analyses, with predominance of dfrA17-aadA5, dfrA12-orfF-aadA2, and dfrA1-aadA1 arrays.Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the blaTEM−52 gene in pig E. coli isolates in China and this is also the first description of the coexistence of the qnrB, qnrS, aac(6′)-Ib-cr, qepA, and oqxAB genes in one E. coli strain.

Mequindox resistance and in vitro efficacy in animal-derived Escherichia coli strains

This study investigated the in vitro efficacy of mequindox against enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), and characterized the oqxAB genes as the main mequindox resistance determinant in E. coli strains of animal origin. A total of 1123 E. coli isolates were collected from domestic animals in China from the 1970s to 2013, and mequindox susceptibility was tested by broth microdilution. The percentage of E. coli isolates with increased mequindox MICs of ≥64μg/ml showed a rising trend each year throughout the study period. Mequindox showed good bactericidal activity in vitro towards 20 EPEC strains, although it had a wide mutant selection window. All 1123 E. coli isolates were tested for the presence of the oqxAB genes, and the operon was detected in 322 isolates, which accounted for 94.4% (322/341) of isolates with increased MICs to mequindox (MIC≥64μg/ml). Of the isolates with mequindox MIC≤32μg/ml, 98.8% (773/782) were oqxAB negative. Polymerase chain reaction-based stability testing revealed that the IS26-oqxAB circular intermediate was present in 93.4% (309/331) of the oqxAB-positive strains, indicating that this IS26-flanked Tn6010 element was unstable and prone to excision via IS26-mediated recombination. Functional analysis of the oqxAB genes confirmed that this operon alone is sufficient to confer resistance or increased MICs to multiple antimicrobials, including mequindox. This is the first study to investigate the relationship between mequindox susceptibility and oqxAB genotype, and may provide the basis for establishing the resistance breakpoint for mequindox against E. coli.

Detection of the first QnrS gene positivity in aquatic Aeromonas spp. isolates in Turkey

Aeromonas spp. are oxidase positive, gram-negative, facultative anaerobic bacilli that are widely distributed in aquatic environments. A.hydrophila, A.sobria and A.bestiarum may cause severe infections in both human and cold-blooded animals. Environmental persistance of quinolones that are widely used in both human and veterinary medicine plays an important role in the selection of resistant mutants. Plasmid-mediated resistance is one of the main mechanisms involved in quinolone resistance, and qnr, qepA, aac(6')-Ib-cr, oqxAB genes are identified as resistance determinants. Determination of various types of qnr gene in different bacteria mainly in Enterobacteriaceae, suggests that they are widely distributed in nature. Recently, plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance was defined among Aeromonas species isolated from water. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of qnr genes among aquatic Aeromonas spp. in Turkey. A total of 45 Aeromonas strains isolated from water and fishes collected from three different geographical regions (Aegean, Mediterranean and Blacksea) in Turkey, were included in the study. The isolates were identified at species level by the use of 16S rDNA-RFLP (Restriction fragment length polymorphism) analysis and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR). Among the isolates, 20 were identified as A.sobria, 10 as A.hydrophila, nine as A.salmonicida, four as A.bestiarum and two as A.veronii. The plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinants, qnrA, qnrB, qnrC and qnrS genes, were investigated by M-PCR, and sequence analysis was performed for nine qnr-positive isolates. According to the sequence analysis of the genes, qnr genes were characterized in six A.sobria, in two A.bestiarum and in one A.hydrophila isolate (9/45; 20%). When the sequence was compared with GenBank database, this gene was found as qnrS2. All qnrS-positive Aeromonas spp. isolates were ciprofloxacin-susceptible, while five of them were resistant to nalidixic acid. This study is the first research about the plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance and the presence of qnrS2 genes among Aeromonas spp. isolated from fishes and water in Turkey. In conclusion, various resistance genes of aquatic bacteria may constitute a potential risk for the transmission of those genes to other bacteria as well as clinical isolates.

Characterization of plasmids carrying oqxAB in bla(CTX-M)-negative Escherichia coli isolates from food-producing animals.

To study the characteristics of plasmids harboring oqxAB among bla(CTX-M)-negative Escherichia coli isolates and search for oqxAB-harboring plasmids similar to plasmids carrying oqxAB-bla(CTX-M) reported previously, conjugation experiment was performed for 115 randomly selected oqxAB-positive but bla(CTX-M)-negative E. coli isolates from diseased animals in Guangdong, China. S1 nuclease pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and southern blotting experiments were performed to investigate the location of oqxAB and other resistance genes. The EcoRI digestion profiles of the plasmids with oqxAB were also analyzed. The clonal relatedness of donor isolates was investigated by PFGE. In this study, 32 oqxAB transconjugants were successfully obtained and most transconjugants showed multidrug resistances. Eleven replicon combination types were found in these transconjugants. floR and oqxAB were found on the same plasmids in all nine transconjugants resistant to florfenicol. The sequences between floR and oqxAB were identical in most transconjugants and the two genes were both linked with tnp in insertion sequences. Nine F18:A-:B1 plasmids with only oqxAB shared identical EcoRI digestion profiles and the profiles were also identical with that of a plasmid carrying oqxAB-bla(CTX-M) found previously. Co-transfer of plasmids carrying oqxAB and fosA3, respectively, was also observed in one isolate. This study demonstrates the dissemination of oqxAB among bla(CTX-M)-negative E. coli isolates was mainly mediated by identical F18:A-:B1 plasmids. A novel arrangement of regions between floR and oqxAB might play an important role in the dissemination of floR-oqxAB. This is the first description of the genetic environment of the relationship between oqxAB and floR in E. coli.

Presence of qnr, aac(6')-Ib, qepA, oqxAB, and mutations in gyrase and topoisomerase in nalidixic acid-resistant Salmonella isolates recovered from retail chicken carcasses.

Four hundred sixty-two nalidixic acid- and/or ciprofloxacin-resistant Salmonella isolates were examined for presence of quinolone-resistance mechanisms. A total of 339 amino acid substitutions were identified in GyrA (204) and ParC (135). Ser83Phe/Asp87Gly (29.4%) were most commonly detected in GyrA in 136 isolates, and to a lesser extent of Asp87Asn (22.8%), Asp87Gly (19.1%), Ser83Phe/Asp87Asn (19.1%), and Ser83Tyr (5.1%). Ser80Arg (97.0%) was detected in ParC in 132 isolates. Simultaneous mutations in GyrA and ParC (n=109) were commonly detected to be Ser83Phe/Asp87Gly(GyrA)-Ser80Arg(ParC) (35.8%), Asp87Asn(GyrA)-Ser80Arg(ParC) (22.9%), and Ser83Phe/Asp87Asn(GyrA)-Ser80Arg(ParC) (21.1%). qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, aac(6')-Ib, qepA, and oqxAB were detected in 52 (11.3%), 64 (13.9%), 11(2.4%), 107 (23.2%), 6 (1.3%), and 194 (42.0%) of 462 isolates, respectively. Isolates carried more qnr, aac(6')-Ib, qepA, and oqxAB genes, and amino acid substitution in GyrA and ParC was more resistant to nalidixic acid and fluoroquinolones.

Co-spread of oqxAB and blaCTX-M-9G in non-Typhi Salmonella enterica isolates mediated by ST2-IncHI2 plasmids

In this study, 130 non-Typhi Salmonella enterica isolates from chickens were analysed for the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants as well as the co-existence of oqxAB and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes. The genes oqxAB, aac(6′)-Ib-cr, blaCTX-M-9G and blaTEM were present alone or in combination in 40 (30.8%), 40 (30.8%), 55 (42.3%) and 2 (1.5%) isolates, respectively. Most of the oqxAB–blaCTX-M-9G-positive isolates (17/28) carried transferable ST2-IncHI2 plasmids containing an oqxAB cassette and blaCTX-M-14 flanked by insertion sequences IS10 or ISEcp1 upstream and IS903 downstream. The oqxAB–blaCTX-M-9G-positive isolates from a local area showed similar pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns, whilst the isolates from different areas were genetically divergent, suggesting that both clonal expansion in local areas and horizontal transmission contributed to the spread of ST2-IncHI2 plasmids containing oqxAB and blaCTX-M-14. This is the first report on the prevalence of ST2-IncHI2 plasmids concomitantly carrying oqxAB and blaCTX-M-14 in Salmonella and also the first description of the genetic environment of oqxAB–blaCTX-M. The genetic linkage of oqxAB–blaCTX-M-9G in non-Typhi Salmonella likely facilitates the spread of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella and poses a threat for clinical treatment of salmonellosis.