Acinetobacter baumannii is able to gain and maintain a plasmid harbouring In35 found in Enterobacteriaceae isolates from Argentina

Curr Microbiol. 2012 Mar;64(3):211-3. doi: 10.1007/s00284-011-0052-9. Epub 2011 Nov 27.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the presence of bla (CTX-M-2) in our A. baumannii population and their putative role as an alternative mechanism of resistance to third-generation cephalosporins in this species. The bla (CTX-M-2) gene is widespread among the Enterobacteriaceae isolates from our country; however, it was not found in 76 isolates A. baumannii non-epidemiologically related clinical isolates resistant to third-generation cephalosporins isolated since 1982 in hospitals from Buenos Aires City. A plasmid isolated from Proteus mirabilis that possesses the complex class 1 integron In35::ISCR1::bla (CTX-M-2) was used to transform the natural competent A. baumannii clinical strain A118. PCR, plasmid extraction, DNA restriction, and susceptibility test confirmed that A118 could gain and maintain the plasmid possessing In35::ISCR1::bla (CTX-M-2), the genetic platform where the bla (CTX-M-2) gene is dispersing in Argentina.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acinetobacter baumannii / enzymology
  • Acinetobacter baumannii / genetics*
  • Acinetobacter baumannii / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Argentina
  • Cephalosporins / pharmacology
  • Gene Transfer, Horizontal*
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Plasmids*
  • Proteus mirabilis / genetics*
  • Proteus mirabilis / isolation & purification
  • Transformation, Bacterial
  • beta-Lactamases / genetics*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Cephalosporins
  • beta-lactamase CTX-2
  • beta-Lactamases