Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 50 in total

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  1. Dhabaan GN, AbuBakar S, Cerqueira GM, Al-Haroni M, Pang SP, Hassan H
    Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 2015 Dec 14;60(3):1370-6.
    PMID: 26666943 DOI: 10.1128/AAC.01696-15
    Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a notorious multidrug-resistant pathogen, and development of novel control measures is of the utmost importance. Understanding the factors that play a role in drug resistance may contribute to the identification of novel therapeutic targets. Pili are essential for A. baumannii adherence to and biofilm formation on abiotic surfaces as well as virulence. In the present study, we found that biofilm formation was significantly induced in an imipenem-resistant (Imp(r)) strain treated with a subinhibitory concentration of antibiotic compared to that in an untreated control and an imipenem-susceptible (Imp(s)) isolate. Using microarray and quantitative PCR analyses, we observed that several genes responsible for the synthesis of type IV pili were significantly upregulated in the Imp(r) but not in the Imp(s) isolate. Notably, this finding is corroborated by an increase in the motility of the Imp(r) strain. Our results suggest that the ability to overproduce colonization factors in response to imipenem treatment confers biological advantage to A. baumannii and may contribute to clinical success.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics*
  2. Gunell M, Webber MA, Kotilainen P, Lilly AJ, Caddick JM, Jalava J, et al.
    Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 2009 Sep;53(9):3832-6.
    PMID: 19596880 DOI: 10.1128/AAC.00121-09
    Nontyphoidal Salmonella enterica strains with a nonclassical quinolone resistance phenotype were isolated from patients returning from Thailand or Malaysia to Finland. A total of 10 isolates of seven serovars were studied in detail, all of which had reduced susceptibility (MIC > or = 0.125 microg/ml) to ciprofloxacin but were either susceptible or showed only low-level resistance (MIC < or = 32 microg/ml) to nalidixic acid. Phenotypic characterization included susceptibility testing by the agar dilution method and investigation of efflux activity. Genotypic characterization included the screening of mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDR) of gyrA, gyrB, parC, and parE by PCR and denaturing high-pressure liquid chromatography and the amplification of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, qnrD, aac(6')-Ib-cr, and qepA by PCR. PMQR was confirmed by plasmid analysis, Southern hybridization, and plasmid transfer. No mutations in the QRDRs of gyrA, gyrB, parC, or parE were detected with the exception of a Thr57-Ser substitution within ParC seen in all but the S. enterica serovar Typhimurium strains. The qnrA and qnrS genes were the only PMQR determinants detected. Plasmids carrying qnr alleles were transferable in vitro, and the resistance phenotype was reproducible in Escherichia coli DH5alpha transformants. These data demonstrate the emergence of a highly mobile qnr genotype that, in the absence of mutation within topoisomerase genes, confers the nontypical quinolone resistance phenotype in S. enterica isolates. The qnr resistance mechanism enables bacteria to survive elevated quinolone concentrations, and therefore, strains carrying qnr alleles may be able to expand during fluoroquinolone treatment. This is of concern since nonclassical quinolone resistance is plasmid mediated and therefore mobilizable.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics
  3. Learn-Han L, Yoke-Kqueen C, Salleh NA, Sukardi S, Jiun-Horng S, Chai-Hoon K, et al.
    Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 2008 Oct;94(3):377-87.
    PMID: 18548329 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-008-9254-y
    Forty-eight strains of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Agona and 33 strains of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Weltevreden were characterized by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting using 3 different arbitrary primer, Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus-Polymerase Chain Reaction (ERIC-PCR) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. By using RAPD, 81 strains (44 strains of S. Agona and 33 strains of S. Weltevreden) can be clustered into 14 groups and 6 single isolates whereas ERIC-PCR produced 7 clusters and 3 single isolates. Thirteen antimicrobial agents were used and all the isolates were resistant to erythromycin and showed Multiple Antimicrobial Resistance indexes, ranging from 0.08 to 0.62. Poultry still remain as the common reservoir for multi-drug-resistant Salmonella. On the other hand, vegetables contaminated with S. Weltevreden showed a gain in antimicrobial resistance. Besides that, consistent antibiograms were observed from S. Weltevreden isolated at Kajang wet market on 2000/08/02.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics
  4. Ngoi ST, Thong KL
    Biomed Res Int, 2014;2014:718084.
    PMID: 25371903 DOI: 10.1155/2014/718084
    The increased Salmonella resistance to quinolones and fluoroquinolones is a public health concern in the Southeast Asian region. The objective of this study is to develop a high resolution melt curve (HRM) assay to rapidly screen for mutations in quinolone-resistant determining region (QRDR) of gyrase and topoisomerase IV genes. DNA sequencing was performed on 62 Salmonella strains to identify mutations in the QRDR of gyrA, gyrB, parC, and parE genes. Mutations were detected in QRDR of gyrA (n = 52; S83F, S83Y, S83I, D87G, D87Y, and D87N) and parE (n = 1; M438I). Salmonella strains with mutations within QRDR of gyrA are generally more resistant to nalidixic acid (MIC 16 > 256 μg/mL). Mutations were uncommon within the QRDR of gyrB, parC, and parE genes. In the HRM assay, mutants can be distinguished from the wild-type strains based on the transition of melt curves, which is more prominent when the profiles are displayed in difference plot. In conclusion, HRM analysis allows for rapid screening for mutations at the QRDRs of gyrase and topoisomerase IV genes in Salmonella. This assay markedly reduced the sequencing effort involved in mutational studies of quinolone-resistance genes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics*
  5. Mobasseri G, Thong KL, Rajasekaram G, Teh CSJ
    Braz J Microbiol, 2020 Mar;51(1):189-195.
    PMID: 31838661 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-019-00208-w
    Multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae associated with nosocomial infections have caused serious problems in antibiotic management with limited therapeutic choices. This study aimed to determine the genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of K. pneumoniae strains isolated from a tertiary hospital in Malaysia. Ninety-seven clinical K. pneumoniae strains were analyzed for antimicrobial susceptibility, all of which were sensitive to amikacin and colistin (except one strain), while 31.9 % and 27.8 % were MDR and ESBL producers, respectively. PCR and DNA sequencing of the amplicons indicated that the majority of MDR strains (26/27) were positive for blaTEM, followed by blaSHV (24/27), blaCTX-M-1 group (23/27), blaCTX-M-9 group (2/27), and mcr-1 (1/27). Thirty-seven strains were hypervirulent and PCR detection of virulence genes showed 38.1 %, 22.7 %, and 16.5 % of the strains were positive for K1, wabG, and uge genes, respectively. Genotyping by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) showed that these strains were genetically diverse and heterogeneous. Sequence types, ST23, ST22, and ST412 were the predominant genotypes. This is the first report of colistin-resistant K. pneumoniae among clinical strains associated with mcr-1 plasmid in Malaysia. The findings in this study have contributed to the effort in combating the increase in antimicrobial resistance by providing better understanding of genotypic characteristics and resistance mechanisms of the organisms.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics
  6. Yap PS, Cheng WH, Chang SK, Lim SE, Lai KS
    Cells, 2022 Sep 26;11(19).
    PMID: 36230959 DOI: 10.3390/cells11192995
    There has been a resurgence in the clinical use of polymyxin antibiotics such as colistin due to the limited treatment options for infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE). However, this last-resort antibiotic is currently confronted with challenges which include the emergence of chromosomal and plasmid-borne colistin resistance. Colistin resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae is commonly caused by the mutations in the chromosomal gene mgrB. MgrB spans the inner membrane and negatively regulates PhoP phosphorylation, which is essential for bacterial outer membrane lipid biosynthesis. The present review intends to draw attention to the role of mgrB chromosomal mutations in membrane permeability in K. pneumoniae that confer colistin resistance. With growing concern regarding the global emergence of colistin resistance, deciphering physical changes of the resistant membrane mediated by mgrB inactivation may provide new insights for the discovery of novel antimicrobials that are highly effective at membrane penetration, in addition to finding out how this can help in alleviating the resistance situation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics
  7. Lau HJ, Lim CH, Foo SC, Tan HS
    Curr Genet, 2021 Jun;67(3):421-429.
    PMID: 33585980 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-021-01156-5
    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria is a global health crisis due to the rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria and the lengthy development of new antimicrobials. In light of this, artificial intelligence in the form of machine learning has been viewed as a potential counter to delay the spread of AMR. With the aid of AI, there are possibilities to predict and identify AMR in bacteria efficiently. Furthermore, a combination of machine learning algorithms and lab testing can help to accelerate the process of discovering new antimicrobials. To date, many machine learning algorithms for antimicrobial-resistance discovery had been created and vigorously validated. Most of these algorithms produced accurate results and outperformed the traditional methods which relied on sequence comparison within a database. This mini-review will provide an updated overview of antimicrobial design workflow using the latest machine-learning antimicrobial discovery algorithms in the last 5 years. With this review, we hope to improve upon the current AMR identification and antimicrobial development techniques by introducing the use of AI into the mix, including how the algorithms could be made more effective.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics*
  8. Ngoi ST, Thong KL
    Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 2013 Dec;77(4):304-11.
    PMID: 24139970 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2013.09.004
    Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) is the most common causative agent of non-typhoidal salmonellosis in Malaysia. We aimed to characterize S. Enteritidis isolated from humans and animals by analyzing their antimicrobial resistance profiles and genotypes. A total of 111 strains were characterized using multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Both typing methods revealed that genetically similar S. Enteritidis strains had persisted among human and animal populations within the period of study (2003-2008). Only 39% of the strains were multi-drug resistant (i.e., resistant to 3 or more classes of antimicrobial agents), with a majority (73%) of these in low-risk phase (multiple antibiotic resistant index <0.20). Limited genetic diversity among clinical and zoonotic S. Enteritidis suggested that animals are possible sources of human salmonellosis. The degree of multi-drug resistance among the strains was generally low during the study period.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics
  9. Wen X, Mi J, Wang Y, Ma B, Zou Y, Liao X, et al.
    Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 2019 May 30;173:96-102.
    PMID: 30769208 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.02.023
    Livestock farms are commonly regarded as the main sources of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), emerging pollutants with potential implications for human health, in the environment. This study investigated the occurrence and contamination profiles of nine ARGs of three types from swine manure to receiving environments (soil and water) in Guangdong Province, southern China. All ARGs occurred in 100% of swine manure samples. Moreover, the absolute concentration of total ARGs varied from 3.01 × 108 to 7.18 × 1014 copies/g, which was significantly higher than that in wastewater and manured soil (p  0.05). However, the number of ARGs (ermB, qnrS, acc(6')-Ib, tetM, tetO and tetQ) decreased but were not eliminated by wastewater treatment components (p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics*
  10. Dada AC, Ahmad A, Usup G, Heng LY
    Environ Monit Assess, 2013 Feb;185(2):1583-99.
    PMID: 22592782 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-012-2653-6
    We report the first study on the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant enterococci in coastal bathing waters in Malaysia. One hundred and sixty-five enterococci isolates recovered from two popular recreational beaches in Malaysia were speciated and screened for antibiotic resistance to a total of eight antibiotics. Prevalence of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium was highest in both beaches. E. faecalis/E. faecium ratio was 0.384:1 and 0.375:1, respectively, for isolates from Port Dickson (PD) and Bagan Lalang (BL). Analysis of Fisher's exact test showed that association of prevalence of E. faecalis and E. faecium with considered locations was not statistically significant (p < 0.05). Chi-square test revealed significant differences (χ(2) = 82.630, df = 20, p < 0.001) in the frequency of occurrence of enterococci isolates from the considered sites. Resistance was highest to nalidixic acid (94.84 %) and least for chloramphenicol (8.38 %). One-way ANOVA using Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison test showed that resistance to ampicillin was higher in PD beach isolates than BL isolates and the difference was extremely statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Frequency of occurrence of multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) isolates were higher for PD beach water (64.29 %) as compared to BL beach water (13.51 %), while MAR indices ranged between 0.198 and 0.48. The results suggest that samples from Port Dickson may contain MAR bacteria and that this could be due to high-risk faecal contamination from sewage discharge pipes that drain into the sea water.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics*
  11. Dada AC, Ahmad A, Usup G, Heng LY, Hamid R
    Environ Monit Assess, 2013 Sep;185(9):7427-43.
    PMID: 23417753 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-013-3110-x
    We report the first study on the occurrence of high-level aminoglycoside-resistant (HLAR) Enterococci in coastal bathing waters and beach sand in Malaysia. None of the encountered isolates were resistant to high levels of gentamicin (500 μg/mL). However, high-level resistance to kanamycin (2,000 μg/mL) was observed in 14.2 % of tested isolates, the highest proportions observed being among beach sand isolates. High-level resistance to kanamycin was higher among Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium than Enterococcus spp. Chi-square analysis showed no significant association between responses to tested antibiotics and the species allocation or source of isolation of all tested Enterococci. The species classification of encountered Enterococci resistance to vancomycin was highest among Enterococcus spp. (5.89 %) followed by E. faecium (4.785) and least among E. faecalis. A total of 160 isolates were also tested for virulence characteristics. On the whole, caseinase production was profoundly highest (15.01 %) while the least prevalent virulence characteristic observed among tested beach Enterococci was haemolysis of rabbit blood (3.65 %). A strong association was observed between the source of isolation and responses for each of caseinase (C = 0.47, V = 0.53) and slime (C = 0.50, V = 0.58) assays. Analysis of obtained spearman's coefficient showed a strong correlation between caseinase and each of the slime production (p = 0.04), gelatinase (p = 0.0035) and haemolytic activity on horse blood (p = 0.004), respectively. Suggestively, these are the main virulent characteristics of the studied beach Enterococci. Our findings suggest that recreational beaches may contribute to the dissemination of Enterococci with HLAR and virulence characteristics.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics*
  12. Shahimi S, Elias A, Abd Mutalib S, Salami M, Fauzi F, Mohd Zaini NA, et al.
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2021 Aug;28(32):44002-44013.
    PMID: 33846919 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-13665-4
    A total of 24 strains of Vibrio alginolyticus were isolated from cockles (Anadara granosa) and identified for VibA and gyrB genes. All V. alginolyticus isolates were then tested against nine different antibiotics. In this study, the highest percentage of antibiotic resistance was obtained against penicillin (37.50%), followed by ampicillin, vancomycin (12.50%) and erythromycin (8.33%). All of V. alginolyticus isolates were susceptible against streptomycin, kanamycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol and sulfamethoxazole. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay has confirmed the presence of four antibiotic resistance genes of penicillin (pbp2a), ampicillin (blaOXA), erythromycin (ermB) and vancomycin (vanB). Out of 24 V. alginolyticus isolates, 2 isolates possessed the tdh-related hemolysin (trh) (strains VA15 and VA16) and none for the thermostable direct hemolysin (tdh) gene. Both strains of the tdh-related hemolysin (trh) were susceptible to all antibiotics tested. The multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index ranging between 0.2 and 0.3 with 5 antibiograms (A1-A5) was observed. Combination of enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR) and antibiotic resistance indicated 18 genome types which showed genetic heterogeneity of those V. alginolyticus isolates. The results demonstrated the presence of V. alginolyticus strain found in cockles can be a potential risk to consumers and can contribute to the deterioration of human health in the study area. Thus, it is essential for local authority to provide the preventive measures in ensuring the cockles are safe for consumption.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics
  13. Ara B, Urmi UL, Haque TA, Nahar S, Rumnaz A, Ali T, et al.
    Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol, 2021 Apr;14(4):513-522.
    PMID: 33691556 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2021.1901577
    Background: Currently, colistin-resistant pathogens emerged has become a global health concern. This study assessed the distribution of mcr-1 to mcr-5 variants with the phenotypic colistin-resistance in bacterial isolates from urinary tract infection (UTI) patients in Bangladesh.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2017 and March 2018 to enroll uncomplicated UTI patients, and 142 urine samples were analyzed. Uropathogens were identified using the API-20E biochemical panel and 16s rRNA gene sequencing. Polymerase chain reactions detected the mcr gene variants in the UTI isolates. The phenotypic colistin-susceptibility was determined by the Kirby-Bauer disc-diffusion method and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) measurement.Results: The combined carriage of mcr-1 and mcr-2 genes in 11.4% (14/123) of urinary tract pathogens. The mcr-positive pathogens include five Escherichia coli, three Klebsiella pneumoniae, three Pseudomonas putida, two Enterobacter cloacae, and one Enterobacter hormaechei. The mcr-positive variant showed significantly higher phenotypic colistin resistance with MIC between >16 µg/mL and >128 µg/mL (pdrug may lead to a lack of treatment options for the infectious diseases and spread of infection to the unaffected cohorts.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics
  14. Angers-Loustau A, Petrillo M, Bengtsson-Palme J, Berendonk T, Blais B, Chan KG, et al.
    F1000Res, 2018;7.
    PMID: 30026930 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.14509.2
    Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies are expected to play a crucial role in the surveillance of infectious diseases, with their unprecedented capabilities for the characterisation of genetic information underlying the virulence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) properties of microorganisms.  In the implementation of any novel technology for regulatory purposes, important considerations such as harmonisation, validation and quality assurance need to be addressed.  NGS technologies pose unique challenges in these regards, in part due to their reliance on bioinformatics for the processing and proper interpretation of the data produced.  Well-designed benchmark resources are thus needed to evaluate, validate and ensure continued quality control over the bioinformatics component of the process.  This concept was explored as part of a workshop on "Next-generation sequencing technologies and antimicrobial resistance" held October 4-5 2017.   Challenges involved in the development of such a benchmark resource, with a specific focus on identifying the molecular determinants of AMR, were identified. For each of the challenges, sets of unsolved questions that will need to be tackled for them to be properly addressed were compiled. These take into consideration the requirement for monitoring of AMR bacteria in humans, animals, food and the environment, which is aligned with the principles of a "One Health" approach.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics*
  15. Al-Maleki AR, Vellasamy KM, Mariappan V, Venkatraman G, Tay ST, Vadivelu J
    Genomics, 2020 01;112(1):501-512.
    PMID: 30980902 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2019.04.002
    Differences in expression of potential virulence and survival genes were associated with B. pseudomallei colony morphology variants. Microarray was used to investigate B. pseudomallei transcriptome alterations among the wild type and small colony variant (SCV) pre- and post-exposed to A549 cells. SCV pre- and post-exposed have lower metabolic requirements and consume lesser energy than the wild type pre- and post-exposed to A549. However, both the wild type and SCV limit their metabolic activities post- infection of A549 cells and this is indicated by the down-regulation of genes implicated in the metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrate, lipid, and other amino acids. Many well-known virulence and survival factors, including T3SS, fimbriae, capsular polysaccharides and stress response were up-regulated in both the wild type and SCV pre- and post-exposed to A549 cells. Microarray analysis demonstrated essential differences in bacterial response associated with virulence and survival pre- and post-exposed to A549 cells.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics
  16. Chong CE, Lim BS, Nathan S, Mohamed R
    In Silico Biol. (Gedrukt), 2006;6(4):341-6.
    PMID: 16922696
    Recent advances in DNA sequencing technology have enabled elucidation of whole genome information from a plethora of organisms. In parallel with this technology, various bioinformatics tools have driven the comparative analysis of the genome sequences between species and within isolates. While drawing meaningful conclusions from a large amount of raw material, computer-aided identification of suitable targets for further experimental analysis and characterization, has also led to the prediction of non-human homologous essential genes in bacteria as promising candidates for novel drug discovery. Here, we present a comparative genomic analysis to identify essential genes in Burkholderia pseudomallei. Our in silico prediction has identified 312 essential genes which could also be potential drug candidates. These genes encode essential proteins to support the survival of B. pseudomallei including outer-inner membrane and surface structures, regulators, proteins involved in pathogenenicity, adaptation, chaperones as well as degradation of small and macromolecules, energy metabolism, information transfer, central/intermediate/miscellaneous metabolism pathways and some conserved hypothetical proteins of unknown function. Therefore, our in silico approach has enabled rapid screening and identification of potential drug targets for further characterization in the laboratory.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics
  17. Kumari N, Subramaniam G, Navaratnam P, Sekaran SD
    Indian J Med Microbiol, 2008 5 1;26(2):148-50.
    PMID: 18445951
    Genes encoding the quinolones resistance determining regions (QRDRs) in Streptococcus pneumoniae were detected by PCR and the sequence analysis was carried out to identify point mutations within these regions. The study was carried out to observe mutation patterns among S. pneumoniae strains in Malaysia. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of 100 isolates was determined against various antibiotics, out of which 56 strains were categorised to have reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin (>or=2 microg/mL). These strains were subjected to PCR amplification for presence of the gyrA, parC , gyrB and parE genes. Eight representative strains with various susceptibilities to fluoroquinolones were sequenced. Two out of the eight isolates that were sequenced were shown to have a point mutation in the gyrA gene at position Ser81. The detection of mutation at codon Ser81 of the gyrA gene suggested the potential of developing fluoroquinolone resistance among S. pneumoniae isolates in Malaysia. However, further experimental work is required to confirm the involvement of this mutation in the development of fluoroquinolone resistance in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics*
  18. Lean SS, Yeo CC, Suhaili Z, Thong KL
    Int J Antimicrob Agents, 2015 Feb;45(2):178-82.
    PMID: 25481460 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2014.10.015
    Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen owing to its increasing resistance to most, if not all, antibiotics in clinical use. We recently reported the occurrence of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) A. baumannii isolates in a Malaysian tertiary hospital. The genome of one of these XDR isolates (A. baumannii AC12) was completely sequenced and comparative genome analyses were performed to elucidate the genetic basis of its antimicrobial resistance. The A. baumannii AC12 genome consists of a 3.8 Mbp circular chromosome and an 8731 bp cryptic plasmid, pAC12. It belongs to the ST195 lineage and is most closely related to A. baumannii BJAB0715 as well as other strains of the international clone III (IC-III) group. Two antibiotic resistance islands (RIs), designated AC12-RI1 and AC12-RI2, were found in the AC12 chromosome along with a 7 kb Tn1548::armA island conferring resistance to aminoglycosides and macrolides. The 22.8 kb AC12-RI1 interrupts the comM gene and harbours the carbapenem resistance gene blaOXA-23 flanked by ISAba1 within a Tn2006-like structure. AC12-RI1 also harbours resistance determinants for aminoglycosides, tetracyclines and sulphonamides. The 10.3 kb IS26-flanked AC12-RI2 is a derivative of AbGRI2-1, containing aphA1b and blaTEM genes (conferring aminoglycoside and β-lactam resistance, respectively). The presence of numerous genes mediating resistance to various antibiotics in novel RI structures as well as other genes encoding drug transporters and efflux pumps in A. baumannii AC12 most likely contributed to its XDR characteristics.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics*
  19. Veldman K, Kant A, Dierikx C, van Essen-Zandbergen A, Wit B, Mevius D
    Int J Food Microbiol, 2014 May 2;177:72-7.
    PMID: 24607424 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2014.02.014
    Since multidrug resistant bacteria are frequently reported from Southeast Asia, our study focused on the occurrence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in fresh imported herbs from Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia. Samples were collected from fresh culinary herbs imported from Southeast Asia in which ESBL-suspected isolates were obtained by selective culturing. Analysis included identification by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, susceptibility testing, XbaI-PFGE, microarray, PCR and sequencing of specific ESBL genes, PCR based replicon typing (PBRT) of plasmids and Southern blot hybridization. In addition, the quinolone resistance genotype was characterized by screening for plasmid mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes and mutations in the quinolone resistance determining region (QRDR) of gyrA and parC. The study encompassed fifty samples of ten batches of culinary herbs (5 samples per batch) comprising nine different herb variants. The herbs originated from Thailand (Water morning glory, Acacia and Betel leaf), Vietnam (Parsley, Asian pennywort, Houttuynia leaf and Mint) and Malaysia (Holy basil and Parsley). By selective culturing 21 cefotaxime resistant Enterobacteriaceae were retrieved. Array analysis revealed 18 isolates with ESBL genes and one isolate with solely non-ESBL beta-lactamase genes. Mutations in the ampC promoter region were determined in two isolates with PCR and sequencing. The isolates were identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=9), Escherichia coli (n=6), Enterobacter cloacae complex (n=5) and Enterobacter spp. (n=1). All isolates tested were multidrug resistant. Variants of CTX-M enzymes were predominantly found followed by SHV enzymes. PMQR genes (including aac(6')-1b-cr, qnrB and qnrS) were also frequently detected. In almost all cases ESBL and quinolone resistance genes were located on the same plasmid. Imported fresh culinary herbs from Southeast Asia are a potential source for contamination of food with multidrug resistant bacteria. Because these herbs are consumed without appropriate heating, transfer to human bacteria cannot be excluded.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics*
  20. Abatcha MG, Effarizah ME, Rusul G
    Int J Food Microbiol, 2019 Feb 02;290:180-183.
    PMID: 30342248 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2018.09.021
    Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi B (S. Paratyphi B) is a major foodborne pathogen distributed all over the world. However, little is known about the antibiotic resistance, genetic relatedness and virulence profile of S. Paratyphi B isolated from leafy vegetables and the processing environment in Malaysia. In this study, 6 S. Paratyphi B isolates were recovered from different vegetables and drain water of processing areas obtained from fresh food markets in Malaysia. The isolates were characterized by antibiogram, Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and virulence genes. Antibiotic susceptibility test showed that 3 of the isolates were resistant to the antibiotics. These include S. Paratyphi B SP251 isolate, which was resistant to chloramphenicol, ampicillin, sulfonamides and streptomycin; Isolate SP246 which was resistant to chloramphenicol, sulfonamides and streptomycin and Isolate SP235 showing resistance to nalidixic acid only. PFGE subtyped the 6 S. Paratyphi B isolates into 6 distinct XbaI-pulsotypes, with a wide range of genetic similarity (0.55 to 0.9). The isolates from different sources and fresh food markets location were genetically diverse. Thirteen (tolC, orgA, spaN, prgH, sipB, invA, pefA, sofB, msgA, cdtB, pagC, spiA and spvB) out of the 17 virulence genes tested were found in all of the S. Paratyphi B isolates. Another gene (lpfC), was found only in one isolate (SP051). None of the isolates possessed sifA, sitC and ironN genes. In summary, this study provides unique information on antibiotic resistance, genetic relatedness, and virulotyping of S. Paratyphi B isolated from leafy vegetables and processing environment.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics
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