Comparison of beta-lactamase genes in clinical and food bacterial isolates in India.
BACKGROUND
The present study aimed to determine the occurrence of human disease-causing enteric bacteria on raw vegetables, fruits, meats, and milk products sold in Indian markets. The study further aimed to analyze antibiotic resistance rates and the presence of blaCTX-M, blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaAmpC.


METHODS
Twenty-three food-borne and 23 clinical isolates were compared for antibiotic resistance rates and the presence of blaCTX-M, blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaAmpC. Swabs were taken from unwashed and washed food items, as well as from some chopped food specimens, and inoculated on appropriate culture medium. Bacterial isolates were identified, antibiotic susceptibility was performed, and bla genes were detected by PCR.


RESULTS
Thirty-eight bacterial isolates were obtained from the food specimens, of which 36 (94.7%) were Gram-negative and two (5.3%) were Gram-positive bacterial species. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most prevalent (52.6%; 20/38) bacterial species isolated, followed by Citrobacter koseri (18.4%; 7/38). In food isolates, the majority of the isolates were resistant to gentamicin (33.3%) followed by amikacin (11.1%). Resistance to a third-generation cephalosporin was noticed in only 5.6% isolates. However, in clinical isolates, maximal resistance was noticed against third-generation cephalosporins followed by ofloxacin in 91.3% and 86.9% isolates, respectively, and resistance to gentamicin and amikacin was noticed in 78.3% and 52.2% isolates, respectively. The presence of blaCTX-M, blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaAmpC in clinical isolates was noticed in 52.2%, 60.9%, 21.7%, and 43.5%, respectively. None of the isolates from food showed the presence of any of the above-cited genes.


CONCLUSIONS
Probably bla genes have not yet disseminated to raw-food vegetation in India.
Section of Bacteriology & Molecular Biology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, Aligarh Muslim University, Uttar Pradesh, India. shahidsahar@yahoo.co.in
Mohd
M
Shahid
Abida
A
Malik
Mohd
M
Adil
Noor
N
Jahan
Ritu
R
Malik
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002417:Cattle; D041041:Citrobacter koseri / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005638:Fruit / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D008460:Meat / Q000382:microbiology; D008892:Milk / Q000382:microbiology; D014675:Vegetables / Q000382:microbiology*; D018440:beta-Lactam Resistance / Q000235:genetics*; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000235:genetics*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001618:beta-Lactamases