Korean J Infect Dis.  1998 Jun;30(3):284-288.

Plasmid-Mediated Resistance to Extended-Spectrum beta-lactams in Enterobacter cloacae: Report of 4 cases

• Lim J
• Park YJ
• Oh EJ
• Kim BK
• Shim SI

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Enterobacter species are frequent nosocomial pathogens and the proportion of beta-lactam resistant strains are on the increase. Extended spectrum beta-lactamases(ESBLs) were mainly investigated in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli in Korea. Recently, we experienced 4 strains of multidrug(including cephamycin)-resistant Enterobacter cloacae and characterized the ESBL types.
METHODS
Multidrug-resistant E. cloacae strains were tested for ESBL production by double-disk synergy test and conjugation. The presence of TEM, SHV or IMP gene was determined by polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTS
Of the four strains that revealed positive reaction in double-disk synergy test, ceftazidime- resistance was transferred in two and cefoxitin-resistance was transferred in four strains by conjugation. In the polymerase chain reaction, three out of four strains had both TEM and SHV genes and one strain had only TEM gene. Two ceftazidime transconjugants had both TEM and SHV genes.
CONCLUSION
We should be aware of ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae and the possible institutional spread of resistance genes.

Keyword

ESBL; Enterobacter cloacae; Multidrug resistance; Plasmid

MeSH Terms

beta-Lactams*
Ceftazidime
Cloaca
Drug Resistance, Multiple
Enterobacter cloacae*
Enterobacter*
Enterobacteriaceae
Escherichia coli
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Korea
Plasmids
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Ceftazidime
beta-Lactams