Genotypic characterization of gentamicin and cephalosporin 1 resistant Escherichia coli 2 isolates from blood cultures in a Norwegian university hospital 2011-2015
Journal article, Peer reviewed
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Date
2017-11-29Metadata
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Fladberg, O. A., Jorgensen, S. B., & Aamot, H. V. (2017). Genotypic characterization of gentamicin and cephalosporin resistant Escherichia coli isolates from blood cultures in a Norwegian university hospital 2011-2015. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control, 6, 121. doi:10.1186/s13756-017-0280-2 http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13756-017-0280-2Abstract
Background: Cephalosporin resistance in clinical E. coli isolates is increasing internationally. The increase has been caused by virulent and often multidrug-resistant clones, especially the extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing E. coli clone O25b-ST131. Methods: In Norway, recommended empirical treatment of sepsis consists of gentamicin and penicillin combined, or a broad-spectrum cephalosporin. To investigate if increased gentamicin and cephalosporins resistance rates in our hospital could be caused by specific clones, we conducted a retrospective study on E. coli blood culture isolates from 2011 through 2015. All E. coli isolates non-susceptible to gentamicin and/or third-generation cephalosporins were genotyped using multiple-locus variable-number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) and compared with antibiotic susceptible isolates. The frequency of the most common genes causing ESBL production (blaCTX-M, blaampC) was examined by Real-Time PCR. Results: A total of 158 cephalosporin and/or gentamicin resistant and 97 control isolates were differentiated into 126 unique MLVA types. Of these, 31% of the isolates belonged to a major MLVA cluster consisting of 41% of the gentamicin resistant and 35% of the cephalosporin resistant isolates. The majority (65/80 isolates) of this MLVA cluster contained MLVA types associated with the E. coli O25b-ST131 clone. Genes encoding CTX-M enzyme phylogroups 1 and 9 occurred in 65% and 19% of cephalosporin resistant isolates, respectively, whereas blaampC-CIT was identified in 3%. Conclusion: No local E. coli bacteraemia clone was identified. Antibiotic resistance was dispersed over a variety of genotypes. However, association with the international E. coli O25b-ST131 clone was frequent and may be an important driver behind increased resistance rates. Monitoring and preventing dissemination of these resistant clones are important for continued optimal treatment.