title: Molecular epidemiology of beta-lactamase-producing enterococci.
abstract: Plasmids from the first six reported beta-lactamase-producing (Bla+) enterococci were compared for genetic relatedness. Bla+ enterococcal plasmids from strains isolated in Houston, Tex.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Connecticut; and Pittsburgh, Pa., had heterogeneous HaeIII and MspI-ClaI restriction endonuclease digestion patterns. A staphylococcal beta-lactamase probe hybridized to all six Bla+ enterococcal plasmids, but hybridization was detected on different HaeIII and MspI-ClaI fragments of the six plasmids. An enterococcal gentamicin resistance (Gmr) probe hybridized to a common 3.9-kilobase HaeIII fragment from the five Gmr plasmids. The Houston plasmid was cross-hybridized to the other five strains, and moderate to extensive homology was demonstrated. Bla+ enterococcal plasmids from a broad geographic range are heterogeneous with respect to size and restriction endonuclease digestion patterns but contain homologous genetic material, including Bla+ and Gmr determinants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wanger
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Zscheck
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Zervos
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D003227:Conjugation, Genetic; D003237:Connecticut; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010414:Pennsylvania; D015143:Philadelphia; D010957:Plasmids; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000235:genetics; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D013781:Texas; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D001618:beta-Lactamases