Novel resistance-nodulation-cell division efflux system AdeDE in Acinetobacter genomic DNA group 3.

Resistance-nodulation-cell division type efflux pump AdeDE was identified in acinetobacters belonging to genomic DNA group 3. Inactivation of adeE showed that it may be responsible for reduced susceptibility to amikacin, ceftazidime, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, ethidium bromide, meropenem, rifampin, and tetracycline. However, unlike what was found for other similar efflux systems, the open reading frame for the outer membrane component was not found downstream of the adeDE gene cluster.

Significance of genomic DNA group delineation in comparative studies of antimicrobial susceptibility of Acinetobacter spp.

There were significant differences in antimicrobial susceptibilities in isolates of genomic DNA groups 2 (Acinetobacter baumannii), 3, and 13TU collected from the same sources, e.g., patients in intensive care units and general wards, and in isolates of the same group collected from different sources.

Epidemiology of rifampin ADP-ribosyltransferase (arr-2) and metallo-beta-lactamase (blaIMP-4) gene cassettes in class 1 integrons in Acinetobacter strains isolated from blood cultures in 1997 to 2000.

We characterized two new gene cassettes in an Acinetobacter isolate: one harbored the metallo-beta-lactamase (IMP-4) gene bla(IMP-4), the other harbored the rifampin ADP-ribosyltransferase (ARR-2) gene arr-2, and both arrayed with the aminoglycoside acetyltransferase [AAC(6')-Ib(7)] gene cassette aacA4 in two separate class 1 integrons. The epidemiology of these gene cassettes in isolates from blood cultures obtained from 1997 to 2000 was studied. Isolates bearing either the bla(IMP-4) or the arr-2 gene cassette or both represented 17.

Health belief and health practice in contact lens wear--a dichotomy?

Purpose: To establish if the hygiene practice of contact lens wearers (CLWs) can be influenced by "health belief."

Methods: A nested case-control study based on questionnaires was conducted in Hong Kong over a 17-month period between 45 CLW patients with microbial keratitis and 135 matched asymptomatic CLW volunteer controls.

Results: There was no significant difference between keratitis patients and controls (volunteers) in the perceived benefits of optometrists' instructions generally.