bla(OXA-51)-type beta-lactamase genes are ubiquitous and vary within a strain in Acinetobacter baumannii.
We investigated the spread of bla(OXA-51)-type beta-lactamase genes in 200 Acinetobacter spp. clinical strains isolated in Argentina from 1982 to 2005. bla(OXA-51)-type genes were present in all Acinetobacter baumannii isolates tested (n=194), whereas they were not detected in two Acinetobacter haemolyticus, two genomic species 10 or two Acinetobacter lwoffii isolates. The bla(OXA-51)-type alleles varied within a strain and were found in six different A. baumannii pulsed-field gel electrophoresis clones that were susceptible or resistant to imipenem, suggesting a controversial role in imipenem resistance. Our findings agree with previous reports showing that bla(OXA-51)-type genes are naturally harboured by A. baumannii isolates from various geographical origins and support the presence of a direct reservoir of beta-lactam resistance genes within the nosocomial environment.
Merkier
Andrea Karina
AK
Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, P-12, Capital Federal, Argentina.
Centrón
Daniela
D
D040981:Acinetobacter baumannii / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001118:Argentina; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D006801:Humans; D015378:Imipenem / Q000494:pharmacology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018440:beta-Lactam Resistance / Q000235:genetics*; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000235:genetics*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D015378:Imipenem; D001618:beta-Lactamases; C063912:carbapenemase