Sensitivity surveillance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates for several antibacterial agents in Chubu area (2013-2014).

We investigated the susceptibility to antibacterial agents of 186 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from medical facilities in Gifu, Aichi, Toyama, and Fukui prefectures from October 2013 to February 2014. MIC₅₀/₉₀ of piperacillin (PIPC), tazobactam/piperacillin (TAZ/PIPC), ceftazidime (CAZ), cefepime (CFPM), imipenem (IPM), meropenem (MEPM), doripenem (DRPM), aztreonam (AZT), ciprofloxacin (CPFX), levofloxacin (LVFX), amikacin (AMK) and colistin (CL) against P aeruginosa was 8/32, 4/32, 2/8, 2/16, 1/32, 0.5/8, 0.

[Sensitivity surveillance of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates for several antibacterial agents in Gifu and Aichi prefectures (2011-2012)].

We investigated the susceptibility to antibacterial agents, genotype of penicillin-binding protein (PBP) genes and macrolide resistant genes, and the serotypes against 270 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from medical facilities in Gifu and Aichi prefectures between October 2011 and April 2012. These results were compared with those against S. pneumoniae isolated in 2008-2009 and 2010-2011.

Crystal structure of IMP-2 metallo-β-lactamase from Acinetobacter spp.: comparison of active-site loop structures between IMP-1 and IMP-2.

IMP-2, a subclass B1 metallo-β-lactamase (MBL), is a Zn(II)-containing hydrolase. This hydrolase, involved in antibiotic resistance, catalyzes the hydrolysis of the C-N bond of the β-lactam ring in β-lactam antibiotics such as benzylpenicillin and imipenem. The crystal structure of IMP-2 MBL from Acinetobacter spp.

[Analysis of extended-spectrum CTX-M-14 beta-lactamase (ESBLs) producing Escherichia coli isolates in the same ward over the long term].

We bacteriologically and genetically analysed 30 cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli strains isolated from specimens from 19 neurology-ward inpatients at our hospital over the 3 years from April 2006 to March 2009, surveying and comparing subjects' backgrounds. Of the 30, 19 (63%) were urine, 6 (20%) sputum, and 3 (10%) blood. We tested extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBLs) production, found in all samples.

Additional effects of pranlukast in salmeterol/fluticasone combination therapy for the asthmatic distal airway in a randomized crossover study.

Background: Salmeterol/fluticasone combination (SFC) therapy is used to control inflammation in the distal airway of patients with well-controlled asthma, but the efficacy of this approach is unclear.

Objectives: The goal of the study was to evaluate the effect of pranlukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA), on distal airway inflammation and pulmonary resistance in patients with asthma that was well-controlled using SFC therapy alone.

Methods: The subjects were 32 patients with well-controlled asthma (age 61.

Change in the prevalence of extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in Japan by clonal spread.

Introduction: In the early 2000s, there was a rapid increase in extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli in hospital settings throughout Japan. The reasons for this rapid increase are unclear.

Methods: Between 2002 and 2003, 142 clinical isolates of E.

[A case of sepsis caused by Enterobacter cloacae producing both type SHV-12 and type CTX-M-14 ESBLs in a post bone-marrow transplantation patient].

Third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacter cloacae was isolated from the blood culture of a 31-year-old woman after bone-marrow transplantation. Since this strain was resistant to third-generation cephalosporins, the production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) was suspected. PCR and a sequence analysis confirmed two ESBL genes, bla(SHV-12) and bla(CTX-M-14).

Crystallographic investigation of the inhibition mode of a VIM-2 metallo-beta-lactamase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa by a mercaptocarboxylate inhibitor.

The VIM-2 metallo-beta-lactamase enzyme from Pseudomonas aeruginosa catalyzes the hydrolysis of most beta-lactam antibiotics including carbapenems, and there are currently no potent inhibitors of such enzymes. We found rac-2-omega-phenylpropyl-3-mercaptopropionic acid, phenylC3SH, to be a potent inhibitor of VIM-2. The structure of the VIM-2-phenylC3SH complex was determined by X-ray crystallography to 2.

Novel plasmid-mediated 16S rRNA m1A1408 methyltransferase, NpmA, found in a clinically isolated Escherichia coli strain resistant to structurally diverse aminoglycosides.

We have isolated a multiple-aminoglycoside-resistant Escherichia coli strain, strain ARS3, and have been the first to identify a novel plasmid-mediated 16S rRNA methyltransferase, NpmA. This new enzyme shared a relatively low level of identity (30%) to the chromosomally encoded 16S rRNA methyltransferase (KamA) of Streptomyces tenjimariensis, an actinomycete aminoglycoside producer. The introduction of a recombinant plasmid carrying npmA could confer on E.

Outbreak of CTX-M-3-type extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacter cloacae in a pediatric ward.

A first resistant strain of Enterobacter cloacae was isolated from a blood specimen in a pediatric patient with immature teratoma-developed sepsis after combination chemotherapy. The strain produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), and the same ESBL-producing strains were detected in urine samples from other patients in the pediatric ward. All strains harbored genes for bla (CTX-M-3) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing analysis.

16S rRNA methylase-producing, gram-negative pathogens, Japan.

To investigate the exact isolation frequency of 16S rRNA methylase-producing, gram-negative pathogenic bacteria, we tested 87,626 clinical isolates from 169 hospitals. Twenty-six strains from 16 hospitals harbored 16S rRNA methylase genes, which suggests sparse but diffuse spread of pan-aminoglycoside-resistant microbes in Japan.

New plasmid-mediated fluoroquinolone efflux pump, QepA, found in an Escherichia coli clinical isolate.

Plasmid-mediated Qnr and AAC(6')-Ib-cr have been recognized as new molecular mechanisms affecting fluoroquinolone (FQ) resistance. C316, an Escherichia coli strain demonstrating resistance to various FQs, was isolated in Japan. Resistance to FQs was augmented in an E.

Mode of transposition and expression of 16S rRNA methyltransferase gene rmtC accompanied by ISEcp1.

A newly identified 16S rRNA methyltransferase gene, rmtC, was accompanied by an ISEcp1 element at its 5' end. This ISEcp1 element, which contained a transposase gene, tnpA, provided a promoter activity for expression of the adjacent rmtC; and this structure enabled the rmtC gene to be transposed onto another plasmid in Escherichia coli.

[One case with Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae endocarditis].

We report case of a 67-year-old alcoholic fisherman who developed infective endocarditis caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. The initial manifestations were fever and back pain of approximately three months' duration. Auscultation of the heart revealed a loud systolic murmur at the apex and a diastolic murmur over the aortic valve area.

[Development and evaluation of novel loop-mediated isothermal amplification for rapid detection of bla(IMP-1) and bla(VIM-2) genes].

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) amplifies a target gene with high specificity and rapidity under isothermal conditions. LAMP assays were developed for the rapid detection of metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) genes such as bla(IMP-1)) and bla(VIM-2). We initially designed specific primers to detect MBL genes for LAMP assays and evaluated the specificity and sensitivity of these assays.

PCR classification of CTX-M-type beta-lactamase genes identified in clinically isolated gram-negative bacilli in Japan.

Of 1,456 strains isolated from 2001 to 2003 demonstrating resistance to either oxyimino-cephalosporin, 317 strains, isolated in 57 of 132 clinical facilities, were found to harbor bla(CTX-M) genes by PCR. Fifty-seven, 161, and 99 strains harbored bla(CTX-M) genes belonging to the bla(CTX-M-1), bla(CTX-M-2), and bla(CTX-M-9) clusters, respectively.

Novel plasmid-mediated 16S rRNA methylase, RmtC, found in a proteus mirabilis isolate demonstrating extraordinary high-level resistance against various aminoglycosides.

Proteus mirabilis ARS68, which demonstrated a very high level of resistance to various aminoglycosides, was isolated in 2003 from an inpatient in Japan. The aminoglycoside resistance of this strain could not be transferred to recipient strains Escherichia coli CSH-2 and E. coli HB101 by a general conjugation experiment, but E.

Practical methods using boronic acid compounds for identification of class C beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli.

Detection of the resistance mediated by class C beta-lactamases remains a challenging issue, considering that transferable plasmid-mediated class C beta-lactamases are of worldwide concern. Methods for the identification of strains that produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) or metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs) have been developed and applied for routine use in clinical microbiology laboratories, but no practical methods for identification of plasmid-mediated class C producers have been established to date. We therefore developed three simple methods for clinical microbiology laboratories that allow identification of plasmid-mediated class C beta-lactamase-producing bacteria using a boronic acid derivative, 3-aminophenylboronic acid (APB), one of the specific inhibitors of class C beta-lactamases.

Metallo-beta-lactamase-producing gram-negative bacilli: laboratory-based surveillance in cooperation with 13 clinical laboratories in the Kinki region of Japan.

A total of 19,753 strains of gram-negative rods collected during two 6-month periods (October 2000 to March 2001 and November 2001 to April 2002) from 13 clinical laboratories in the Kinki region of Japan were investigated for the production of metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs). MBLs were detected in 96 (0.5%) of the 19,753 isolates by the broth microdilution method, the 2-mercaptopropionic acid inhibition test, and PCR and DNA sequencing analyses.

Nosocomial transmission of CTX-M-2 beta-lactamase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in a neurosurgery ward.

Three strains of cefotaxime (CTX)-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, FM0209680, FM0300106, and FM0301433, were isolated from transtracheal aspirate cultures of three patients with probable nosocomial infections in a neurosurgery ward in Japan. The CTX MICs for these isolates were greater than 128 microg/ml but were drastically reduced in the presence of 4 microg of clavulanic acid per ml. These strains were also resistant to ceftriaxone, cefpodoxime, and aztreonam but were susceptible to ceftazidime and imipenem.