Detection of plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamase inEscherichia coli.
Escherichia coli(E. coli) is a common opportunistic pathogen for nosocomial infection. The aim of the study was to examine the phenotype, genotype and epidemiology of plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamases inE. coli. In total, 96 clinical isolates of repeatedE. coliwere collected from different hospitals between August and October 2012. Using a cefoxitin disk diffusion method to identify the phenotype of AmpC β-lactamases inE. coli, the plasmid was extracted, and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to determine theampgene. The PCR products were purified and sequenced. Of the 96 isolates strains, 43 strains were cefoxitin-resistant. Twelve (12.5%) isolates were detected to produce AmpC β-lactamases with multiplex PCR, 11 strains carried DHA type ampC-resistant genes, and one strain carried ACC type ampC-resistant genes. In conclusion, the incidence of producing a plasmid-mediated AmpC enzyme ofE. colistrains was relatively high. Therefore, antibiotics such as imipenem, a carbapenem, potentially serve as the treatment of choice for the infection.
Department of Respiration, Xuzhou City Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China.
Xiangqun
X
Liu
Department of Respiration, Jining No.1 People's Hospital, Jining, Shandong, P.R. China.
Yongrui
Y
Liu
AmpC enzyme; Escherichia coli; plasmid