Detection of clonally related Escherichia coli isolates producing different CMY β-lactamases from a cystic fibrosis patient.

Objectives: This study reports details on Escherichia coli isolates recovered from a cystic fibrosis (CF) patient in order to understand how this pathogen adapts to and resists broad-spectrum antipseudomonal therapy in this context.

Methods: Five E. coli isolates were obtained from various clinical samples (airways, urine or dialysis catheter) over a 7 month period covering a double-lung transplantation.

Occurrence of ST23 complex phylogroup A Escherichia coli isolates producing extended-spectrum AmpC beta-lactamase in a French hospital.

Extended-spectrum AmpC beta-lactamase (ESAC) Escherichia coli producers were investigated over a 5-year period. Eleven isolates presenting a strong ampC promoter and different strategic AmpC mutations, including two newly described modifications (A292V and an L-A-A insertion at 295), were characterized. All the isolates belonged to phylogenetic group A and to the ST23 complex.

Most Escherichia coli strains overproducing chromosomal AmpC beta-lactamase belong to phylogenetic group A.

Objectives: To determine the phylogenetic group and the production of different virulence factors (VFs) of a collection of Escherichia coli strains overproducing their chromosomal AmpC cephalosporinase.

Methods: Fifty-five E. coli strains, isolated over a 12 year period, and previously identified as AmpC overproducers by increased MICs of third-generation cephalosporins without extended-spectrum beta-lactamase production (negative double-disc synergy test), were phylogrouped by multiplex PCR.

Detection of an IS21 insertion sequence in the mexR gene of Pseudomonas aeruginosa increasing beta-lactam resistance.

To understand the regulation of the MexAB OprM efflux system in a clinical strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa presenting a decreased susceptibility to ticarcillin and aztreonam, the mexR repressor gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and was shown to be disrupted by an insertion sequence of more than 2 kb, with characteristic direct and inverted repeat sequences. Sequencing revealed a 2131-bp IS21 insertion sequence. A reverse transcription PCR method was used to quantify mexA transcripts and showed an increased transcription rate of mexA in this strain, compared with a PAO1 control strain.

AmpC cephalosporinase hyperproduction in Acinetobacter baumannii clinical strains.

Objective: To compare the genetic environments of ampC genes in different Acinetobacter baumannii isolates showing different levels of beta-lactam resistance.

Methods: The patterns of beta-lactam resistance and beta-lactamase production were investigated for 42 A. baumannii clinical strains.