Characterization of sulphonamide resistance genes and class 1 integron gene cassettes in Enterobacteriaceae, Central African Republic (CAR).
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to characterize genes encoding sulphonamide resistance and gene cassettes associated with class 1 integrons in trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole resistant Enterobacteriaceae recovered from Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR).


METHODS
We studied 78 clinical Enterobacteriaceae isolates, including 16 extended-spectrum beta-lactamases producers, 10 Salmonella and 9 Shigella, resistant to trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole as assessed by the disc diffusion method. PCR was used to test for sul1 and sul2 genes. Class 1 integron resistance gene cassettes were characterized by directly sequencing PCR products obtained with primers recognising 5' and 3' conserved regions.


RESULTS
The sul1 gene was found in 67 isolates, the sul2 gene in 72 isolates and both genes in 62 isolates, while the int1 gene was found in 74 isolates. The most prevalent dfr genes were dfrA7 (49%), dfrA1 (17%) and dfrA2d (13%).


CONCLUSIONS
These results illustrate the wide distribution of sulphonamide and trimethoprim resistance genes among Enterobacteriaceae in Bangui (CAR).
Frank
Thierry
T
Institut Pasteur de Bangui, Bangui, Central African Republic.
Gautier
Valérie
V
Talarmin
Antoine
A
Bercion
Raymond
R
Arlet
Guillaume
G
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002488:Central African Republic; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics*; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D005798:Genes, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D032023:Integrons / Q000235:genetics*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012475:Salmonella / Q000187:drug effects; D012760:Shigella / Q000187:drug effects; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D013449:Sulfonamides