Vancomycin-resistant gram-positive cocci isolated from the saliva of wild songbirds.

We analyzed highly vancomycin-resistant Gram-positive bacteria isolated from the saliva of migratory songbirds captured, sampled, and released from a bird-banding station in western Kansas. Individual bacterial isolates were identified by partial 16S rRNA sequencing. Most of the bacteria in this study were shown to be Staphylococcus succinus with the majority being isolated from the American Robin. Some of these bacteria were shown to carry vanA, vanB, and vanC vancomycin-resistance genes and have the ability to form biofilms. One of the van gene-carrying isolates is also coagulase positive, which is normally considered a virulence factor. Other organisms isolated included Staphylococcus saprophyticus as well as Enterococcus gallinarum. Given the wide range of the American Robin and ease of horizontal gene transfer between Gram-positive cocci, we postulate that these organisms could serve as a reservoir of vancomycin-resistance genes capable of transferring to human pathogens.

Chlorhexidine resistance in a Gram-negative bacterium isolated from an aquatic source.

Aeromonas hydrophila is a Gram-negative bacterium of considerable importance in both clinical, especially nosocomial infections, and zoonotic respects, both aquatic and terrestrial infections. In addition to the ability to thrive in a wide range of conditions, A. hydrophila is resistant to numerous antibiotics and antimicrobials. In conjunction with Kansas State University and the Kansas Water Office, water samples from various locations within Kansas were screened for organisms resistant to chlorhexidine. Chlorhexidine is the active agent in many surgical scrubs, prescription mouthwashes, and other bactericidal and bacteriostatic substances. Aeromonas hydrophila capable of growth in therapeutic levels of chlorhexidine was detected in one of the water samples. The isolate was determined not to be harboring a plasmid, lending to a course of inquiry founded on the premise that the source of chlorhexidine resistance resides within the chromosome. Investigation into efflux pumps (EP) is underway with select resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND) pumps, especially the AheABC EP, being exculpated of responsibility for chlorhexidine resistance following testing with a select EP inhibitor. Inquiry into the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) EPs is underway with specific examination of the EmrB/QacA EPs, as chlorhexidine resistance in Staphylococcus aureus carrying the QacA gene has been observed.

Triclosan-resistant bacteria isolated from feedlot and residential soils.

Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent that is currently incorporated into hundreds of consumer and medical products. It can be either a bacteriostatic or bactericidal agent, depending on its formulation. It has activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as some viruses and protists. The purpose of this study was to determine whether triclosan-resistant bacteria could be isolated from the soil. Soils from cattle feedlots and residential lawns were collected and assayed for the presence of these organisms by plating samples on growth media containing triclosan. Organisms were subsequently identified by partial 16S rRNA sequencing analysis. All the organisms isolated in this study were Gram-negative rods, with members of genus Pseudomonas being particularly well represented. This result may not be surprising because Gram-negative organisms are generally more resistant to triclosan, and since Pseudomonas bacteria are known to have numerous efflux mechanisms for dealing with harmful substances.

Bacteria isolated from sewage influent resistant to ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol and tetracycline.

This study assessed the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in sewage influent. Resistance was measured by determining the lowest concentration of antibiotic, in micrograms per milliliter (microg mL(- 1)). To determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), which is used in diagnostic laboratories, we used the Etest, a plastic strip containing an antibiotic concentration gradient. In total, we sampled five sewage treatment plants of various sizes in Kansas and isolated bacteria resistant to three broad-spectrum antibiotics; ciprofloxacin (1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-4-oxo-7-piperazin-1-yl-quinoline-3-carboxylic acid), chloramphenicol 2,2-dichlor-N-[(aR, bR)-b-hydroxy-a-hydroxymethyl-4-nitrophenethyl] acetamide), and tetracycline (2-(amino-hydroxy-ethylidene)-4-dimethylamino-6,10,11,12a-tetrahydroxy-6-methyl-4,4a,5,5a-tetrahydrotetracene-1,3,12-trione). In total, 25 Gram-negative isolates were found to be resistant to at least one of the antibiotics tested. Some isolates were multi-drug resistant, regardless of the amount of influent the sewage treatment plant received. A Pseudomonas isolate from the smallest sewage treatment plant (approximately 2 million gallons treated per day) showed resistance to all three antibiotics, albeit at low levels (10 microg mL(- 1)). The largest number of bacteria (6 species) were isolated from the largest sewage treatment plant (45 million gallons per day). Regardless, the results of this study are in agreement with similar studies, antibiotic resistance can persist long after the antibiotics have been forgotten.