Antibiotic-resistance genes in E. coli strains in GCC countries: A meta-analysis

Biofilm-producing and carbapenems-resistant Escherichia coli nosocomial uropathogens: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

This cross-sectional study aims to determine the incidence and potential risk factors associated with biofilm-producing uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) nosocomial strains from a tertiary care hospital and to examine the prospective correlation between biofilm generation and antibiotic resistance phenotypes and genotypes.

METHODS

A total of 130 UPEC nosocomial isolates were identified, their biofilm formation was quantified using a modified microtiter plate assay, and their antibiotic susceptibilities were assessed utilizing the disc diffusion method. Isolates were then subjected to PCR assays targeting blaKPC, blaVIM, blaIMP, and blaOXA48 genes.

RESULTS

Over half of the isolates (n = 76, 58.5%) were biofilm producers. Among 17 carbapenem-resistant isolates, 6 (42.9%) isolates harbored the blaOXA48 gene, and only 1 (9.1%) isolate was positive for the blaVIM gene. Prior antibiotic therapy (aOR 15.782, p 0.000) and diabetes mellitus DM (aOR 11.222, p 0.016) were the significant risk factors associated with biofilm production, as determined by logistic regression analysis of the data. In addition, gentamicin resistance was the only statistically significant antibiotic resistance pattern associated with biofilm production (aOR 9.113, p 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study emphasize the significance of implementing proper infection control measures to avoid the horizontal spread of biofilm formation and associated antimicrobial resistance patterns among UPEC nosocomial strains.

Genomic Characterization of International High-Risk Clone ST410 Escherichia coli Co-Harboring ESBL-Encoding Genes and blaNDM-5 on IncFIA/IncFIB/IncFII/IncQ1 Multireplicon Plasmid and Carrying a Chromosome-Borne blaCMY-2 from Egypt

The accelerated dispersion of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli due to the production of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) or AmpC enzymes has been noted in Egypt, presenting a serious treatment challenge. In this study, we investigate the prevalence of ESBLs and AmpC enzymes among 48 E. coli isolates collected from patients with urinary tract infections admitted to a teaching hospital in Alexandria. Phenotypic and genotypic methods of detection are conducted. Isolates producing both enzymes are tested for the mobilization of their genes by a broth mating experiment. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is performed for isolate EC13655. The results indicate that 80% of the isolates are MDR, among which 52% and 13% were ESBL and AmpC producers, respectively. Conjugation experiments fail to show the mobilization of blaCMY-2 in EC13655, which was chosen for WGS. In silico analysis reveals that the isolate belongs to a ST410-H24Rx high-risk clone. It coharbors the ESBL-encoding genes blaCTX-M-15, blaTEM-1, and blaOXA-1 on an IncFIA/IncFIB/IncFII/IncQ1 multireplicon plasmid. The chromosomal location of blaCMY-2 is detected with a flanking upstream copy of ISEcp1. This chromosomal integration of blaCMY-2 establishes the stable maintenance of the gene and thus, necessitates an imperative local surveillance to reduce further spread of such strains in different clinical settings.