Nosocomial spread of the integron-located veb-1-like cassette encoding an extended-pectrum beta-lactamase in Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Thailand

Clin Infect Dis. 2002 Mar 1;34(5):603-11. doi: 10.1086/338786. Epub 2002 Jan 23.

Abstract

The beta-lactamase gene content and epidemiology of ceftazidime-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates (24% of the total number of P. aeruginosa isolates) were investigated at a University Hospital in Thailand during a 4-month period in 1999. Of 33 nonrepetitive clinical isolates, 31 produced a VEB-1-like clavulanic acid-inhibited extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL). These isolates belonged to different pulsed-field gel electrophoresis types and subtypes. In 1 case, the bla(VEB-1)-like gene was plasmid located. The bla(VEB-1)-like genes were present as a gene cassette on class 1 integrons that varied in size and structure. In most cases, the veb-1 cassette was associated with an arr-2 cassette (rifampin resistance), aminoglycoside resistance gene cassettes, and an oxa-10-like cassette encoding a narrow-spectrum oxacillinase-type beta-lactamase. The present study indicates that ESBLs may be endemic in P. aeruginosa and illustrates that integrons are efficient means for their spread.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ceftazidime / pharmacology
  • Cephalosporins / pharmacology
  • Cross Infection / genetics
  • Cross Infection / microbiology*
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / genetics
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field
  • Gene Frequency
  • Humans
  • Integrases / genetics*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Pseudomonas Infections / epidemiology
  • Pseudomonas Infections / genetics
  • Pseudomonas Infections / microbiology
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / enzymology*
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / genetics
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / isolation & purification
  • Thailand / epidemiology
  • Transduction, Genetic
  • beta-Lactamases / genetics*

Substances

  • Cephalosporins
  • Ceftazidime
  • Integrases
  • beta-Lactamases