Strains of Burkholderia cenocepacia genomovar IIIA possessing the cblA gene that are distinct from ET12.

Three strains of Burkholderia cenocepacia genomovar IIIA that were polymerase chain reaction positive for cblA, bcrA, and the epidemic strain marker, but were distinct from representatives of ET12 by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, are described. One of these strains was shown to express cable pili by electron microscopy.

Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates producing VEB-type extended-spectrum beta-lactamases in the United Kingdom.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of VEB enzymes among Pseudomonas spp. referred to the UK's national reference laboratory and with phenotypic evidence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production.

Methods: Antibiograms were analysed for Pseudomonas spp.

Arrival of Klebsiella pneumoniae producing KPC carbapenemase in the United Kingdom.

Background: KPC-type carbapenemases are increasingly prevalent in parts of the USA and Israel and are an emerging concern in South America, Europe and China. We investigated the UK's first two KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates.

Methods: The isolates were referred to the UK's national reference laboratory for confirmation of carbapenem resistance.

UK epidemic Escherichia coli strains A-E, with CTX-M-15 beta-lactamase, all belong to the international O25:H4-ST131 clone.

Objectives: Uropathogenic and invasive Escherichia coli O25:H4-ST131 isolates producing CTX-M-15 extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) enzymes have recently been shown to be disseminated across the globe. In the UK, many CTX-M-15 ESBL-producing E. coli strains have been previously defined as belonging to the epidemic strains A-E, as determined by PFGE.

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in paediatric wards: a nested case-control study.

Aim: A high rate (48.6%) of extended spectrum beta-lactamase production among Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-KP) clinical isolates in the paediatric wards of our hospital prompted the introduction of enhanced infection control measures, and after the implementation of these measures, we instituted a prospective surveillance programme, with a nested case-control study to determine the risk factors for rectal colonisation by ESBL-KP.

Methods: Over a 1-year period, rectal swabs from patients and samples from the environment and the hands of health-care workers were cultured.

Evaluation of a multiplex PCR for detection of serotypes K1, K2 and K5 in Klebsiella sp. and comparison of isolates within these serotypes.

A multiplex PCR using targets within the serotype-specific region of the capsular polysaccharide synthesis gene cluster of serotypes K1, K2 and K5 was evaluated using the 77 reference serotype strains of Klebsiella, and a panel of clinical isolates subjected previously to conventional serotyping. The PCR was highly specific for these serotypes, which are those most associated with virulence in humans and horses. PCR confirmed that isolates of the K5 serotype had cross-reacted with antiserum for other serotypes, particularly for K7.

Revised approach for identification of isolates within the Burkholderia cepacia complex and description of clinical isolates not assigned to any of the known genomovars.

One hundred thirty-eight clinical isolates of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) were identified using a modified strategy that involved PCR detection of the cblA gene for the ET12 lineage simultaneously with detection of the Bcc recA PCR product; recA sequence cluster analysis also was part of the strategy. Four strains could not be assigned to any of the known genomovars.

Genetically similar isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype K1 causing liver abscesses in three continents.

The magA gene was sought in hypermucoviscous isolates of Klebsiella spp., the Klebsiella K serotype reference strains and in isolates of the K1 serotype of Klebsiella pneumoniae from the UK, Hong Kong, Israel, Taiwan and Australia. Only K1 isolates were PCR positive for magA; this gene was found in all such isolates tested.

Wide geographic spread of diverse acquired AmpC beta-lactamases among Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. in the UK and Ireland.

Objectives: To determine the distribution of acquired AmpC beta-lactamases in 173 isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. submitted to the UK's national reference laboratory for antibiotic resistance.

Methods: MICs were determined and interpreted according to BSAC guidelines.

Molecular epidemiology of multiresistant Escherichia coli isolates from community-onset urinary tract infections in Cornwall, England.

Objectives: To study the clonality of gentamicin-resistant, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-negative and ESBL-producing Escherichia coli isolated from community-onset urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Cornwall.

Methods: Isolates were identified by API, susceptibilities were determined by local disc testing, and MICs were determined at the reference laboratory, both interpreted using BSAC guidelines. bla(CTX-M) genes were sought by PCR, and isolates were compared by PFGE.

Occurrence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clones at multiple hospitals in London and Southeast England.

From late 2003 to the end of 2005, the Health Protection Agency's national reference laboratories received approximately 1,600 referrals of Acinetobacter spp., including 419 and 58 examples, respectively, of two carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii lineages, designated OXA-23 clones 1 and 2. Representatives of these clones were obtained from 40 and 8 hospitals, respectively, in London or elsewhere in Southeast England.

Identification of Acinetobacter baumannii by detection of the blaOXA-51-like carbapenemase gene intrinsic to this species.

bla(OXA-51-like) was sought in clinical isolates of Acinetobacter species in a multiplex PCR, which also detects bla(OXA-23-like) and class 1 integrase genes. All isolates that gave a band for bla(OXA-51-like) identified as A. baumannii.

Comparison of Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from the United Kingdom and the United States that were associated with repatriated casualties of the Iraq conflict.

Acinetobacter isolates associated with casualties from the Iraq conflict from the United States were compared with those from the United Kingdom by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and integron analysis. Representatives of the main outbreak strain associated with casualties from both countries were indistinguishable in DNA profile. Two further outbreak strains were common to both sets of isolates.

The role of ISAba1 in expression of OXA carbapenemase genes in Acinetobacter baumannii.

ISAba1 was found in all widespread clones of Acinetobacter baumannii in the United Kingdom. All isolates studied had a blaOXA-51-like carbapenemase gene; some also had blaOXA-23-like and/or blaOXA-58-like. Among isolates with blaOXA-51-like as sole carbapenemase gene, only those with ISAba1 adjacent to blaOXA-51-like were carbapenem resistant.

Seroepidemiology of Klebsiella pneumoniae in an Australian Tertiary Hospital and its implications for vaccine development.

The aim of this study was to determine the diversity of Klebsiella pneumoniae capsular serotypes in an Australian setting. Consecutive (n = 293) nonrepetitive isolates of K. pneumoniae from a large teaching hospital laboratory were analyzed.

Detection and typing of integrons in epidemic strains of Acinetobacter baumannii found in the United Kingdom.

Integrons were sought in Acinetobacter isolates from hospitals in the United Kingdom by integrase gene PCR. Isolates were compared by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and most belonged to a small number of outbreak strains or clones of A. baumannii, which are highly successful in the United Kingdom.

Molecular comparison of isolates of Burkholderia multivorans from patients with cystic fibrosis in the United Kingdom.

Burkholderia multivorans strains from 47 cystic fibrosis (CF) patients in 28 hospitals were compared by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and flagellin (fliC) PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. A considerable degree of genetic variation was evident, with each patient harboring a strain with a unique PFGE profile. Four sizes of fliC amplicons were produced, and these amplicons gave 13 RFLP types with restriction enzyme MspI.

Harmonization of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis protocols for epidemiological typing of strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a single approach developed by consensus in 10 European laboratories and its application for tracing the spread of related strains.

Pulsed-fieldgel electrophoresis (PFGE) is the most common genotypic method used in reference and clinical laboratories for typing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Many different protocols have been developed in laboratories that have extensive experience with the technique and have established national databases. However, the comparabilities of the different European PFGE protocols for MRSA and of the various national MRSA clones themselves had not been addressed until now.

Linezolid-resistant enterococci: report of the first isolates in the United Kingdom.

Linezolid, the first oxazolidinone antibacterial agent to be developed for clinical use, was licensed in the UK in early 2001. We report the first three examples of resistant enterococci (two isolates of Enterococcus faecium and one Enterococcus faecalis) isolated in the UK, which were obtained from patients who had received linezolid. The linezolid MICs for the resistant isolates were 64 mg/L.