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Characterization of a new blaOXA-48-carrying plasmid in Enterobacteriaceae

Sibel Berger1, Corentine Alauzet, Nejla Aissa

  • 1Laboratoire de Bactériologie, CHU de Nancy, Nancy, France.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
|June 5, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified a new plasmid carrying the blaOXA-48 gene in Klebsiella pneumoniae. This plasmid was transferred between bacteria in patients, highlighting its potential spread.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • The blaOXA-48 gene confers resistance to carbapenem antibiotics.
  • Carbapenem resistance is a significant global health threat.
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae is a common cause of hospital-acquired infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize a novel IncL/M-type plasmid harboring the blaOXA-48 gene.
  • To investigate the transfer of this plasmid between Enterobacteriaceae in a clinical setting.

Main Methods:

  • Plasmid DNA extraction and characterization.
  • Bacterial conjugation experiments.
  • Whole-genome sequencing.

Main Results:

  • A new 160-kb IncL/M-type plasmid carrying blaOXA-48 was identified in Klebsiella pneumoniae from France.
  • Successful transfer of a 60-kb OXA-48-encoding plasmid from Klebsiella pneumoniae to other Enterobacteriaceae was observed in two patients.

Conclusions:

  • The identified plasmid represents a new vehicle for the dissemination of carbapenem resistance.
  • Interspecies plasmid transfer in patients can contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance.

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