A TEM-2beta-lactamase encoded on an active Tn1-like transposon in the genome of a clinical isolate of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.
A constitutively expressed beta-lactamase gene from a clinical isolate of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, J675Ia, has been cloned. Its DNA sequence is almost identical to that of bla(TEM2) (one nucleotide change) and the expressed enzyme is a Bush type 2a penicillinase with an amino acid sequence identical to that of TEM-2. The bla(TEM) gene was present within a novel Tn1/Tn3-type transposon in the genome of isolate J675Ia and the transposon was able to mobilize bla(TEM) on to the broad host-range conjugative plasmid, R388. When transferred to an Escherichia coli recipient, R388::Tn conferred high-level ampicillin resistance. This represents the first identification of a TEM beta-lactamase in S. maltophilia and the first evidence that this important clinical pathogen is able to act as a reservoir for mobile beta-lactamase genes in the hospital environment.
Avison
M B
MB
Bristol Centre for Antimicrobial Research and Evaluation (BCARE), Department of Pathology and Microbiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK. Matthewb.Avison@bris.ac.uk
von Heldreich
C J
CJ
Higgins
C S
CS
Bennett
P M
PM
Walsh
T R
TR
D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D016680:Genome, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D020615:Stenotrophomonas maltophilia / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000235:genetics*
D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D001618:beta-Lactamases; C056342:beta-lactamase TEM-2