AI Article Synopsis

  • The Enterobacter cloacae complex is increasingly recognized as a nosocomial pathogen, but its traditional identification methods are unreliable.
  • Multilocus sequence analysis and comparative genomic hybridization show that this complex is divided into two distinct genetic clades, with one clade being more homogeneous and containing the most commonly found species in hospitals.
  • The study suggests that some existing classifications of (sub)species within this complex need to be revised, and new genetic markers can aid in more accurate identification.

Article Abstract

Background: Isolates of the Enterobacter cloacae complex have been increasingly isolated as nosocomial pathogens, but phenotypic identification of the E. cloacae complex is unreliable and irreproducible. Identification of species based on currently available genotyping tools is already superior to phenotypic identification, but the taxonomy of isolates belonging to this complex is cumbersome.

Methodology/principal Findings: This study shows that multilocus sequence analysis and comparative genomic hybridization based on a mixed genome array is a powerful method for studying species assignment within the E. cloacae complex. The E. cloacae complex is shown to be evolutionarily divided into two clades that are genetically distinct from each other. The younger first clade is genetically more homogenous, contains the Enterobacter hormaechei species and is the most frequently cultured Enterobacter species in hospitals. The second and older clade consists of several (sub)species that are genetically more heterogeneous. Genetic markers were identified that could discriminate between the two clades and cluster 1.

Conclusions/significance: Based on genomic differences it is concluded that some previously defined (clonal and heterogenic) (sub)species of the E. cloacae complex have to be redefined because of disagreements with known or proposed nomenclature. However, further improved identification of the redefined species will be possible based on novel markers presented here.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2515634PMC
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0003018PLOS

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

cloacae complex
24
enterobacter cloacae
8
phenotypic identification
8
complex
7
cloacae
6
species
5
genomic diversity
4
enterobacter
4
diversity enterobacter
4
complex background
4

Similar Publications

Genes encoding OXA-48-like carbapenem-hydrolyzing enzymes are often located on plasmids and are abundant among carbapenemase-producing (CPE) worldwide. After a large plasmid-mediated outbreak in 2011, routine screening of patients at risk of CPE carriage on admission and every 7 days during hospitalization was implemented in a large hospital in the Netherlands. The objective of this study was to investigate the dynamics of the hospitals' 2011 outbreak-associated plasmid among CPE collected from 2011 to 2021.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Neglected class A carbapenemases: Systematic review of IMI/NmcA and FRI from a One Health perspective.

Sci Total Environ

January 2025

Laboratoire de Bactériologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; UMR MIVEGEC, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, Montpellier, France.

Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales are pathogens classified as a critical priority by the World Health Organization and a burden on human health worldwide. IMI, NmcA, and FRI are under-detected class A carbapenemases that have been reported in the human, animal and environmental compartments, particularly these last 5 years. Bacteria producing these carbapenemases have been mostly identified in digestive carriage screenings, but they are also involved in severe infections, such as bacteremia.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Carbapenem-resistant complex (CR-ECC), which is rapidly increasing as the cause of nosocomial infections, has limited treatment options. The aim of this study is to investigate the microbiological and clinical traits and molecular epidemiology of isolates of CR-ECC and provide guidance for antibiotic selection in clinical practice. Clinical CR-ECC isolates (ertapenem MIC ≥ 2 mg/L) were collected from 2021 to 2022.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A fucose-binding superlectin from Enterobacter cloacae with high Lewis and ABO blood group antigen specificity.

J Biol Chem

December 2024

Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, D-66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Standort Hannover-Braunschweig; Department of Chemistry, PharmaScienceHub (PSH), Saarland University, D-66123 Saarbrücken, Germany.

Bacteria frequently employ carbohydrate-binding proteins, so-called lectins, to colonize and persist in a host. Thus, bacterial lectins are attractive targets for the development of new antiinfectives. To find new potential targets for antiinfectives against pathogenic bacteria, we searched for homologs of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lectins and identified homologs of LecA in Enterobacter species.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The Enterobacter cloacae complex, a prominent bacterium responsible worldwide for most bloodstream infections in the hospital environment, has shown broad-spectrum antibiotic resistance, including carbapenems. Therefore, bacteriophages have again attracted the attention of the science and medical community as an alternative to control Multidrug resistant bacteria. In this study, water samples from Río Abajo River, in Panama City, Panama, were collected, for phage isolation, purification, characterization and propagation against the E.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!