Abstract
Integrons play an important role in the dissemination of resistance genes among bacteria. Nearly 70% of highly resistant gram-negative bacteria isolated at a tertiary care hospital harbored an integron. Epidemiologic analysis suggests that horizontal gene transfer is an important mechanism of resistance spread and has a greater contribution than cross-transmission to levels of resistance in settings where highly resistant gram-negative bacteria are endemic.
MeSH terms
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
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Drug Resistance, Bacterial / genetics*
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Gene Transfer, Horizontal
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Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects*
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Gram-Negative Bacteria / genetics
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Gram-Negative Bacteria / isolation & purification
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Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / epidemiology*
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Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / microbiology
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Hospitals, Teaching / statistics & numerical data*
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Humans
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Integrases / genetics
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Integrons / genetics*
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Intensive Care Units
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Microbial Sensitivity Tests
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Netherlands / epidemiology
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Prevalence
Substances
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Anti-Bacterial Agents
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Integrases