High prevalence of class 1 integrons in clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from India.

INTRODUCTION: Class1 integrons are one of the prevalent mechanisms of antibiotic resistance gene transfer in Gram-negative organisms, but their prevalence and role in the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is unexplored. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of class 1 integrons in clinical isolates of MRSA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 143 MRSA isolates obtained from two different cities in India (Pune and Mumbai) were characterized by biochemical tests, and the antibiotic sensitivity was performed using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. The presence of class 1 integrons, sul1/qacE0Δ1 region of class 1 integron and mecA gene among these isolates was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: All 143 isolates were mecA positive and coagulase-positive. Overall, 71% of the MRSA isolates carried class 1 integrons; 58% (45/77) of the isolates obtained from Mumbai and 85% (56/66) of the isolates from Pune carried class 1 integrons. In all, 39% of these isolates carried sul1/qacEΔ1 region, thus confirming the association of class 1 integrons with antibiotic resistance genes. Along with ß-lactam antibiotics the MRSA isolates were resistant to several other antibiotics, with resistance to erythromycin, ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole being observed in 75%, 66% and 60% of the isolates, respectively. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of class 1 integrons in MRSA isolates from India. The study provides insights into the prevalence of a novel mechanism adapted by MRSA for the propagation of antibiotic resistance genes.

Ochrobactrum anthropi: an unusual pathogen: are we missing them?

With increasing incidence of immunocompromised patients, many unusual organisms are emerging as pathogens in these patients. Ochrobactrum anthropi is an emerging opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised patients. Here, we report two cases of neonates who presented with septicemia due to O. anthropi. Both were preterm and low birth weight babies admitted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of our Hospital. One baby manifested with respiratory distress and eventually died. The second baby responded well to treatment and was discharged. The clinical presentation of infections along with microbiological characteristics and clinical significance of the organism are described.

Neonatal outbreak of Salmonella worthington in a general hospital.

This is a report of an outbreak of Salmonella worthington in neonates at Sassoon General Hospitals, Pune, which occurred during August and September 2000. A total of 148 blood, 4 CSF and 6 stool specimens were received from neonates admitted to the hospital. Salmonella worthington could be isolated from 17 clinical specimens [15 blood (10.8%), 1 CSF (25%) and 1 stool (16.6%) sample]. Environmental swabs were also processed. An attempt was made to detect carriers in health care personnel. However, no source or carrier of Salmonella worthington in the hospital environment could be identified. Intensive cleaning measures and fumigation were undertaken. All these measures succeeded in aborting the outbreak.