Coliform bacteria isolated from recreational lakes carry class 1 and class 2 integrons and virulence-associated genes.

AIMS: To characterize the integron-harbouring Gram-negative bacteria in recreational lakes, with focus on the genetic content of integrons, antimicrobial resistance profiles and virulence-associated genes. METHODS AND RESULTS: The presence and structure of integrons in coliform bacteria isolated from the water of four recreational lakes located in Poznan, Poland, was determined by PCR method. Antimicrobial resistance testing was done by disc diffusion method. Virulence-associated genes in integron-bearing Escherichia coli isolates were detected by PCR. A total of 155 integron-bearing strains of coliform bacteria were cultured. Sequence analysis showed the presence of dfrA7, aadA1, dfrA1-aadA1, dfrA17-aadA5 and dfrA12-orfF-aadA2 gene cassette arrays in class 1 integrons and dfrA1-sat2-aadA1 in class 2 integrons. Higher frequency of integron-positive bacteria and higher antimicrobial resistance ranges were noted in colder months (January and November) compared with spring and summer months. The integron-harbouring E. coli carried up to nine virulence-associated genes, with the highest frequency of kpsMT (84.6%) and traT (783%), coding for group 2 capsule and determining human serum resistance respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Integron-bearing multidrug resistant coliform bacteria carrying virulence genes are present in waters of recreational lakes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study presents antimicrobial resistance and virulence-associated genes in integron-bearing coliform bacteria present in the waters of recreational lakes, which showed that multidrug resistant bacteria with virulence traits might pose a threat to public health. Moreover, the presence of genes typical for enterotoxigenic and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli is a concern.

Integron-bearing Gram-negative bacteria in lake waters.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to determine the occurrence of integron-bearing Gram-negative bacteria in the water of four lakes located in Wielkopolski National Park, Poland. Altogether, 17 isolates harbouring class 1 or class 2 integrons were found. The integron-bearing bacteria were identified as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pasteurella multocida and Aeromonas hydrophila. The variable regions of the class 1 integrons contained aadA1 and dfrA1-aadA1 gene cassettes, whereas class 2 integrons carried dfrA1-sat2-aadA1 gene cassette array. The isolates were resistant to 3-20 antimicrobials. One of them produced SHV-type extended-spectrum ß-lactamase. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Integrons play a major role in the spread of antibiotic resistance among bacteria. They are frequently found in clinical bacterial strains, but are also detected in environmental isolates in sites affected by anthropogenic pressure. Little is known, however, about the presence and characteristics of integrons in bacteria living in water environments in areas of nature preservation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study focused on detection and characterization of integrons in bacteria living in water ecosystems in a national park.

Virulence factors of clinical isolates of Aeromonas caviae.

The mechanism of pathogenicity of 13 Aeromonas caviae strains isolated from fecal specimens of children with diarrhea was examined. Isolates possessed several virulence agents. Six of 13 isolates produced cholera-like toxin, all strains exhibited adhesive ability and secreted catecholate siderophores. Six isolates were able to grow in heat-inactivated serum. Production of hemolysins was not detected. The isolates had relatively high values of LD50 in a mouse model, which suggests that there is no linkage between pathogenicity to mice and the diarrheagenic ability of the isolates.