title: Heat resistance in extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli may favor environmental survival in a hospital setting.
abstract: Nosocomial infections caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli are a major concern worldwide. There is an urgent need to identify bacterial factors promoting survival and persistence of these organisms in the nosocomial environment. Here, we describe the presence of a gene cluster, containing the Clp ATPase ClpK, within a collection of Danish ESBL-producing E. coli isolates. The cluster conferred thermoprotection upon the isolates, and thus might facilitate survival on medical devices exposed to semi-high temperatures in a hospital setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology & Infection Control, Statens Serum Institut, Denmark.
authors.forename: Erik J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Boll
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology & Infection Control, Statens Serum Institut, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jakob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frimodt-Møller
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Bente
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Olesen
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology & Infection Control, Statens Serum Institut, Denmark.
authors.forename: Karen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Krogfelt
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology & Infection Control, Statens Serum Institut, Denmark. Electronic address: cas@ssi.dk.
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Struve
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology*; D003718:Denmark; D049071:Endopeptidase Clp / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006761:Hospitals; D006358:Hot Temperature; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005810:Multigene Family; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D049071:Endopeptidase Clp; D001618:beta-Lactamases
keywords: ESBL-producing Escherichia coli; Heat resistance; Nosocomial infection