Widespread Transfer of Resistance Genes between Bacterial Species in an Intensive Care Unit: Implications for Hospital Epidemiology

• Published in: Journal of Clinical Microbiology Vol. 43; no. 9; pp. 4862 - 4864
• Main Authors: Naiemi, Nashwan Al, Duim, Birgitta, Savelkoul, Paul H. M, Spanjaard, Lodewijk, de Jonge, Evert, Bart, Aldert, Vandenbroucke-Grauls, Christina M, de Jong, Menno D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Society for Microbiology 01.09.2005
• Subjects: Acinetobacter baumannii - drug effects; Acinetobacter baumannii - genetics; Acinetobacter Infections - epidemiology; Acinetobacter Infections - microbiology; Aminoglycosides - pharmacology; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Bacteriology; beta-Lactamases - genetics; beta-Lactamases - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Conjugation, Genetic; Cross Infection - epidemiology; Cross Infection - microbiology; Disease Outbreaks; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial - genetics; Enterobacter cloacae - drug effects; Enterobacter cloacae - genetics; Enterobacteriaceae Infections - epidemiology; Enterobacteriaceae Infections - microbiology; Epidemiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Transfer, Horizontal; Hospitals; Humans; Infectious diseases; Intensive Care Units; Medical sciences; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Microbiology; Miscellaneous; Plasmids; Resistance; Bacteria; Microbiology; Epidemiology; Genetic transfer
• ISSN: 0095-1137; 1098-660X
• DOI: 10.1128/jcm.43.9.4862-4864.2005

A transferable plasmid encoding SHV-12 extended-spectrum {szligbeta}-lactamase, TEM-116, and aminoglycoside resistance was responsible for two sequential clonal outbreaks of Enterobacter cloacae and Acinetobacter baumannii bacteria. A similar plasmid was present among isolates of four different bacterial species. Recognition of plasmid transfer is crucial for control of outbreaks of multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogens.