Occurrence of genes encoding aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes in Escherichia coli isolates from chicken meat.

1. The aim of the experiment was to determine the occurrence of genes encoding aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (AMEs) in Escherichia coli isolates recovered from chicken meat.2. Antibiotic sensitivity was tested using the disc diffusion test. AMEs and virulence profile were determined by PCR/sequencing.3. Out of 195 meat samples collected, 185 (95%) isolates were identified as E. coli. Disc diffusion showed a resistance value of 22% (n = 42) for at least one of the antibiotic aminoglycosides (AGs) tested (tobramycin, gentamycin, amikacin and kanamycin). PCR screening showed the presence of three classes of AMEs, namely, aac(3)-II (12%), aac(6')-Ib (7%) and aac(2')-Ia (5%). Eight of the 42 isolates were positive for the stx1 and sxt2 genes and were defined as Shiga toxin-producing E coli., while the eae gene was positive in one strain. Among the 42 isolates, group A was the predominant phylogenetic identified (76%), followed by group D (21%). One isolate belonged to subgroup B23.4. The results suggested that chicken meat could be an important reservoir of AMEs, and pose a potential risk by dissemination of resistance to humans through the food chain.

Genetic basis of enzymatic resistance of E. coli to aminoglycosides.

PURPOSE: Over the past years, an increase in resistance to aminoglycosides has been observed among Enterobacteriaceae rods. This resistance development reduces therapeutic options for infections caused by multidrug-resistance organisms. Because of the changing epidemiology of extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) and resistance to aminoglycosides, we investigated the prevalence of the aac(3)-Ia, aac(6')-Ib, ant(4')-IIa, ant(2")-Ia, and aph(3")-Ib genes encoding aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (AMEs) in ESBL-producing Escherichia coli as well as ESBL-non-producing isolates. To understand bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics, we estimated resistance phenotypes and the presence of genes responsible for this resistance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 44 E.coli strains originated from patients hospitalized at University Hospital of Bialystok. MIC values were obtained for gentamicin, amikacin, netilmicin, and tobramycin. Isolates were tested for the presence of the aac(3)-Ia, aac(6')-Ib, ant(4')-IIa, ant(2")-Ia, and aph(3")-Ib genes with the use of the PCR technique. RESULTS: Resistance to aminoglycosides was found in 79.5% of the isolates. The highest percentages of resistance were observed for tobramycin (70,5%) and gentamicin (59%), followed by netilmicin (43.2%) and amikacin (11.4%). PCR assays revealed the presence of aac(6')-Ib among 26 (59.2%) strains, aph(3")-Ib among 16 (36.2%), aac(3)-Ia among 7 (15.9%), and ant(2")-Ia among 2 (4.6%) strains. CONCLUSIONS: The enzymatic resistance against aminoglycosides in northeastern Poland among clinical isolates of E. coli is predominantly caused by aac(6')-Ib and aph(3")-Ib. Amikacin may be used for therapy of infections caused by ESBL-producing E. coli, because of the low rates of resistance.