Characterization of class 1 integrons and gene cassettes in clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae from Taiwan.
We surveyed the prevalence and contents of class 1 integrons in clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates collected from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, during 2 periods (1993 and 2004). Class 1 integrons were present in 78 isolates (34.2%) from 1993 (n = 228) and 129 (32.9%) from 2004 (n = 392) and contained varied gene cassette number, type, and array. We found 2 atypical sul3-associated class 1 integrons and identified 26 different gene cassettes, including an aac(6')-Ib-cr cassette here firstly described in K. pneumoniae from Taiwan. The continuing evolution of class 1 integrons is threatening to undermine the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy for K. pneumoniae.
Chang
Chung-Yu
CY
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.
Fang
Yu-Ti
YT
Tsai
Shih-Meng
SM
Chang
Lin-Li
LL
Yu
Wen-Liang
WL
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D032023:Integrons; D007710:Klebsiella Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D013624:Taiwan
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004269:DNA, Bacterial