Intra- and inter-generic plasmid-mediated spread of cephalosporin and aminoglycoside resistance amongst Klebsiella aerogenes K41 and other enterobacteria

Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2001 Feb;17(2):123-9. doi: 10.1016/s0924-8579(00)00324-1.

Abstract

Klebsiella aerogenes K41, resistant to third generation cephalosporins and aminoglycosides, was isolated from clinical samples of 153 in-patients. Blood cultures accounted for 24 (15.7%) of isolates. The MIC(90) of ceftazidime for the isolates of 84 patients was >512 mg/l and was reduced to 2.0 by 4 mg/l of clavulanic acid, but only to 64 by 4 mg/l of sulbactam. Isolates of K. aerogenes K41 produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) SHV-5 and TEM-1, identified by isoelectric focusing. Plasmid profiles showed that co-dissemination of cephalosporin and aminoglycoside resistance, plus ESBL production, coincided with the acquisition of a 116-kb plasmid. This plasmid was transferable in vitro from K. aerogenes K41 to other serotypes and genera of the Enterobacteriaceae.

MeSH terms

  • Aminoglycosides
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacteremia / drug therapy
  • Bacteremia / microbiology
  • Cephalosporin Resistance*
  • Cephalosporins / pharmacology
  • Conjugation, Genetic
  • Drug Resistance, Microbial
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple
  • Enterobacter aerogenes / drug effects*
  • Enterobacter aerogenes / genetics
  • Enterobacter aerogenes / isolation & purification
  • Enterobacteriaceae / drug effects*
  • Enterobacteriaceae / genetics
  • Enterobacteriaceae / isolation & purification
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / drug therapy
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Penicillin Resistance
  • Plasmids*
  • beta-Lactamases / metabolism

Substances

  • Aminoglycosides
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Cephalosporins
  • beta-lactamase SHV-5
  • beta-Lactamases
  • beta-lactamase TEM-1