title: Relationship between the resistance genes to quaternary ammonium compounds and antibiotic resistance in staphylococci isolated from surgical site infections.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aimed to investigate the prevalence of disinfectant resistance genes (qacA/qacB,qacC) and the aminoglycosides resistance genes [(aac(6')aph(2''),aph(3')-IIIa,ant(4')-Ia)] in both S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococcal strains (CoNS) isolated from surgical site infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  Totally, 130 staphylococcal strains isolated from surgical site infections between January 2012 and February 2013 were included in the study. The PCR technique was employed to verify any presence of methicillin resistance gene (mecA), aminoglycoside resistance genes [(aac(6')/aph (2''), aph(3)-III a ant (4')-1a)], and disinfectant resistance genes (qacA/qacB,qacC) in staphylococci.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MecA gene was determined in 58 (44.6%) of 130 staphylococcal isolates. A total of 28 (73.7%) of 38 S. aureus isolates were found to be positive for the mecA gene, and 4 (12.9%) of 31 isolates sensitive to amikacin were sensitive to methicillin. Eighteen (47.4%) of 38 amikacin-resistant S. aureus isolates were found to be positive for qacA/qacB genes and 11 (8.9%) of them were positive for qacC gene. Both mecA and qacA/qacB genes were found to be positive at the same time in 19 amikacin-resistant S. aureus strains. Seven (18.4%) S. aureus isolates were determined to be positive for qacA/qacB and qacC genes. Frequency of qacA/B genes was found to be 47.4% among amikacin-resistant S. aureus strains, while qacC gene was found to be 28.9% (p<0.05). The ratio of qacA/B and qacC genes in CoNS was found to be 37.9% and 20.7%, respectively (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quaternary ammonium resistance genes were found to be positive at a remarkable ratio in the staphylococcal isolates from surgical wounds. Especially, the high rates of aminoglycosides and methicillin-resistance gene was remarkable in S. aureus isolates. Quaternary ammonium resistance genes were found to be positive.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Mustafa Kemal University, Medical Faculty, Antakya-Hatay, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nizami
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Duran
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Mustafa Kemal University, Medical Faculty, Hatay, Turkey.
authors.forename: Muhyittin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Temiz
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Mustafa Kemal University, School of Health, Hatay, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gülay Gülbol
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Duran
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Mustafa Kemal University, Medical Faculty, Hatay, Turkey.
authors.forename: Naciye
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Eryılmaz
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Mustafa Kemal University, Medical Faculty, Hatay, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kemal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jenedi
mesh_terms: D000583:Amikacin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D005798:Genes, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D000583:Amikacin; D002710:Chlorhexidine