Characterization of plasmids encoding bla ESBL and surrounding genes in Spanish clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae

• Published in: Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy Vol. 63; no. 1; pp. 60 - 66
• Main Authors: Diestra, Karol, Juan, Carlos, Curiao, Tânia, Moyá, Bartolomé, Miró, Elisenda, Oteo, Jesús, Coque, Teresa M., Pérez-Vázquez, María, Campos, José, Cantón, Rafael, Oliver, Antonio, Navarro, Ferran
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.01.2009; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Bacteria; E coli; Epidemiology; Genetics; Spain; incompatibility group; mechanisms of resistance; ESBL-producing; antimicrobial resistance surveillance
• ISSN: 0305-7453; 1460-2091
• DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkn453

Objectives The aim of the study was to characterize plasmids that harbour bla ESBL genes and their genetic environment in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae clones circulating in Spain. Methods The incompatibility group of plasmids within 58 strains harbouring bla CTX-M (n = 45) and bla SHV (n = 15) genes was determined by rep-typing-PCR and hybridization. The bla ESBL genetic environment was determined by PCR and sequencing. Results The bla CTX-M-9 genes (n = 14) were linked to In60 located in IncI1 (50%) or IncHI2 plasmids (28%). All bla CTX-M-14 genes (n = 13) were flanked by ISEcp1 and IS903 and 12 were associated with IncK plasmids. One of two bla CTX-M-10 genes was present in an IncK plasmid, but both genes were linked to a phage-related element. Five of seven bla CTX-M-1 (71%), all three bla CTX-M-32 and one of two bla CTX-M-3 genes were linked to IncN plasmids. The other bla CTX-M-3 gene was linked to IncA/C and the remaining two bla CTX-M-1 genes to IncFII plasmids. Three bla CTX-M-15 genes were associated with IncF (repFIA) and one with IncFII plasmids. All these genes from bla CTX-M group-1 showed the ISEcp1 upstream truncated by different insertion sequences. Forty-three percent of bla SHV-12 genes (n = 14) were located in IncI1 plasmids, all flanked by the IS26 and DEOR region. The only detected bla SHV-5 gene was located in an IncFII plasmid and flanked by recF and DEOR regions. Conclusions A diversity of the plasmid incompatibility groups that harbour bla ESBL genes was observed, except for the bla CTX-M-14 gene. Moreover, a high variability was confirmed in the genetic environment of these genes as a result of insertion and deletion events.