Characterization of the molecular mechanisms of quinolone resistance in Yersinia enterocolitica O:3 clinical isolates.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the roles of mutations in the gyrA and parC genes and the overexpression of efflux pump(s) as mechanisms of resistance to quinolones. Forty-five Yersinia enterocolitica O:3 clinical isolates (41 nalidixic acid-resistant, three nalidixic acid-susceptible and one nalidixic acid-resistant strain obtained in vitro) were analysed.


RESULTS
All the nalidixic acid-resistant strains showed mutations in the gyrA gene and none in the parC gene. The presence of the inhibitor produced decreases in the MIC values of nalidixic acid by two to six serial dilution steps in 37 of the 41 nalidixic acid-resistant strains. Meanwhile, the MIC value of ciprofloxacin was affected in two strains whose values diminished three serial dilution steps. The nalidixic acid-resistant mutant obtained in vitro was also affected by the inhibitor decreasing the MIC value of nalidixic acid three serial dilutions steps whereas the MICs for the nalidixic acid-susceptible strains were not affected.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that the high level of resistance to nalidixic acid is likely due to an overexpression of an efflux pump plus a mutation in the gyrA gene, whereas decreased susceptibility to ciprofloxacin is only associated with the presence of a mutation in the gyrA gene.
Capilla
S
S
Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain.
Ruiz
J
J
Goñi
P
P
Castillo
J
J
Rubio
M C
MC
Jiménez de Anta
M T
MT
Gómez-Lus
R
R
Vila
J
J
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D027081:DNA Gyrase / Q000235:genetics; D027101:DNA Topoisomerase IV / Q000235:genetics; D004151:Dipeptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D009268:Nalidixic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D015363:Quinolones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013030:Spain; D015009:Yersinia Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D015008:Yersinia enterocolitica / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D004151:Dipeptides; D015363:Quinolones; C474925:phenylalanylarginine-naphthylamide; D009268:Nalidixic Acid; D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D027101:DNA Topoisomerase IV; D027081:DNA Gyrase