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[Plasmid profiles of aminoglycoside-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa]
1Department of Surgery 1, Gunma University, School of Medicine.
Abstract:
Three-hundred and eighty-five strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated from Gunma University Hospital from 1984 to 1987. Out of these strains, thirty strains (7.8%) were resistant to GM. We investigated antibiograms, serotyping, phage typing, and plasmid profiles of these strains. The following results were obtained. 1) Only one kind of GM-resistant (GMr) plasmid was obtained in 1984. Two kinds of GMr plasmids were found in 1985, and three kinds of GMr plasmids in 1987, respectively. 2) A strain of I-serotype and Hh8-phage type containing the plasmid I (GM-SM-SA-PIPC, Tra-, 22.6Kb or 22.5 Kb) was suspected to cause the nosocomial infection mainly in Departments of Internal Medicine, and a strain of non-serotypable and Hh8-phage type containing the plasmid IV (GM-SM-SA-CP-Hg, Tra+, IncP-2) was suspected to cause the nosocomial infection mainly in Surgical Departments. 3) Plasmid profiles adding to serotyping and phagetyping contribute to the epidemiological analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.
Insights
Gentamicin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains increased over three years, with distinct plasmid types linked to hospital-acquired infections in internal medicine and surgical departments. Plasmid profiling aids in tracking these infections.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant opportunistic pathogen.
- Nosocomial infections caused by antibiotic-resistant strains pose a major healthcare challenge.
- Gentamicin resistance in P. aeruginosa has been observed in hospital settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics of gentamicin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from Gunma University Hospital.
- To analyze the evolution of gentamicin resistance plasmids over time.
- To determine the association between specific P. aeruginosa strains, their resistance profiles, and their role in nosocomial infections.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and identification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (antibiograms).
- Serotyping and phage typing for strain characterization.
- Plasmid profiling to analyze genetic elements associated with resistance.
Main Results:
- Thirty out of 385 P. aeruginosa strains (7.8%) exhibited gentamicin resistance.
- The number and types of gentamicin-resistant plasmids increased from 1984 to 1987.
- Specific plasmid types were associated with nosocomial infections in different hospital departments (Internal Medicine vs. Surgical).
- Plasmid I (GM-SM-SA-PIPC) and Plasmid IV (GM-SM-SA-CP-Hg) were identified in strains linked to specific infection sites.
Conclusions:
- Plasmid profiles, combined with serotyping and phage typing, are valuable tools for the epidemiological analysis of P. aeruginosa infections.
- The emergence of diverse gentamicin-resistant P. aeruginosa strains highlights the need for continuous surveillance.
- Understanding the genetic basis of resistance and its epidemiological spread is crucial for infection control.