Occurrence of conjugative IncF-type plasmids harboring the blaCTX-M-15 gene in Enterobacteriaceae isolates from newborns in Tunisia

Pediatr Res. 2015 Jan;77(1-1):107-10. doi: 10.1038/pr.2014.153. Epub 2014 Oct 8.

Abstract

Background: CTX-M-15 is the dominant type of extended-spectrum β-lactamase in clinical isolates. This enzyme constitutes the most widespread enzymes in Tunisia. In this study, we were interested to understand the causes of the evolutionary success of CTX-M-15 in a Tunisian university hospital.

Methods: A total of of 72 cefotaxime-resistant Enterobacteriaceae were isolated from newborn patients at the hospital Taher sfar Mahdia in Tunisia and characterized their genetic support by means of molecular techniques.

Results: Isolates were clustered into various clonal groups, although most isolates belonged to sequence types ST39 (Klebsiella pneumoniae) and ST131 (Escherichia coli). F replicons (FIA, FIB, and FII) were the most frequently detected replicon types in our collection (91.66%).

Conclusion: This is the first report of QnrB- and CTX-M-15-encoding large IncF-type conjugative plasmids in Tunisia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Academic Medical Centers
  • Cefotaxime / administration & dosage
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial*
  • Enterobacteriaceae*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Escherichia coli Infections / microbiology
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Genetic Variation
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Klebsiella Infections / microbiology
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae / genetics*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Molecular Epidemiology
  • Plasmids / genetics*
  • Tunisia
  • beta-Lactamases / genetics*

Substances

  • beta-lactamase CTX-M-15
  • beta-Lactamases
  • Cefotaxime