Identification and characterization of integron-mediated antibiotic resistance among Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli isolates.
A total of 50 isolates of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), including 29 O157:H7 and 21 non-O157 STEC strains, were analyzed for antimicrobial susceptibilities and the presence of class 1 integrons. Seventy-eight (n = 39) percent of the isolates exhibited resistance to two or more antimicrobial classes. Multiple resistance to streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline was most often observed. Class 1 integrons were identified among nine STEC isolates, including serotypes O157:H7, O111:H11, O111:H8, O111:NM, O103:H2, O45:H2, O26:H11, and O5:NM. The majority of the amplified integron fragments were 1 kb in size with the exception of one E. coli O111:H8 isolate which possessed a 2-kb amplicon. DNA sequence analysis revealed that the integrons identified within the O111:H11, O111:NM, O45:H2, and O26:H11 isolates contained the aadA gene encoding resistance to streptomycin and spectinomycin. Integrons identified among the O157:H7 and O103:H2 isolates also possessed a similar aadA gene. However, DNA sequencing revealed only 86 and 88% homology, respectively. The 2-kb integron of the E. coli O111:H8 isolate contained three genes, dfrXII, aadA2, and a gene of unknown function, orfF, which were 86, 100, and 100% homologous, respectively, to previously reported gene cassettes identified in integrons found in Citrobacter freundii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Furthermore, integrons identified among the O157:H7 and O111:NM strains were transferable via conjugation to another strain of E. coli O157:H7 and to several strains of Hafnia alvei. To our knowledge, this is the first report of integrons and antibiotic resistance gene cassettes in STEC, in particular E. coli O157:H7.
Division of Animal and Food Microbiology, Office of Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Veterinary Medicine, 8401 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, MD 20708, USA. szhao@cvm.fda.gov
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White
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Ayers
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Friedman
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English
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Wagner
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Gaines
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Meng
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002417:Cattle; D003227:Conjugation, Genetic; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial / Q000235:genetics; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics*; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D019426:Integrases / Q000235:genetics*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D022603:Shiga Toxins / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D022603:Shiga Toxins; D019426:Integrases