title: Transferability and genetic relatedness of high-level gentamicin resistance among enterococci.
abstract: Gentamicin resistance in six enterococcal species was investigated. Transfer of resistance was observed for the donors E. faecium UC 79, E. avium CC 54, and E. gallinarum B 51, but not for E. raffinosus UC 78 or E. casseliflavus UC 73. Except for E. casseliflavus UC 73, homology was observed between the E. faecalis aac6'-aph2" gene and DNA from other species. Whereas 2.6-kb HindIII fragments encoded resistance in E. faecalis UC 244, its transconjugant, and E. raffinosus UC 78, 3.4-kb fragments encoded resistance in E. faecium UC 79, E. gallinarum B 51, and their transconjugants. A 3.4-kb fragment encoded resistance in E. avium CC 54, but 2.6-kb fragments encoded resistance in the transconjugants. Although many similarities were found among the strains, the heterogeneity in gentamicin resistance exhibited by some isolates indicates diversity among these determinants.
authors.affiliation: Division of Microbiology and Serology, Jewish Hospital, Washington University Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri 63110.
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Sahm
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Gilmore
mesh_terms: D015139:Blotting, Southern; D003227:Conjugation, Genetic; D015342:DNA Probes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics*; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D016984:Enterococcus faecium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D005839:Gentamicins