Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 3, 2025
Screening Foodstuffs for Class 1 Integrons and Gene Cassettes
Published on: June 19, 2015
Rectal and Tracheal Carriage of Carbapenemase Genes and Class 1 and 2 Integrons in Patients in Neurosurgery Intensive
Ekaterina S Kuzina1, Tatiana S Novikova2, Evgeny I Astashkin2
1Department of Training and Improvement of Specialists, State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, Territory "Kvartal A", 142279 Obolensk, Russia.
Abstract:
The spread of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, which is associated with the distribution of beta-lactamase genes and class 1 and 2 integrons, is a global problem. In this study, in the Moscow neurosurgery intensive care unit (neuro-ICU), the high prevalence of the above-stated genes was found to be associated with intestinal and tracheal carriage. Seven-point prevalence surveys, which included 60 patients in the neuro-ICU, were conducted weekly in the period from Oct. to Nov. 2019. A total of 293 clinical samples were analyzed, including 146 rectal and 147 tracheal swabs; 344 Gram-negative bacteria isolates were collected. Beta-lactamase genes (n = 837) were detected in the isolates, including beta-lactamase blaTEM (n = 162), blaSHV (n = 145), cephalosporinase blaCTX-M (n = 228), carbapenemase blaNDM (n = 44), blaKPC (n = 25), blaOXA-48 (n = 126), blaOXA-51-like (n = 54), blaOXA-40-like (n = 43), blaOXA-23-like (n = 8), and blaVIM (n = 2), as well as class 1 (n = 189) and class 2 (n = 12) integrons. One extensively drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strain (sequence type ST39 and capsular type K23), simultaneously carried beta-lactamase genes, blaSHV-40 and blaTEM-1B, three carbapenemase genes, blaNDM, blaKPC, and blaOXA-48, the cephalosporinase gene blaCTX-M, and two class 1 integrons. Before this study, such heavily armed strains have not been reported, suggesting the ongoing evolution of antibiotic resistance.
Insights
Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria carrying beta-lactamase genes and integrons are a global concern. This study found high prevalence in a Moscow neuro-ICU, linked to patient intestinal and tracheal carriage, indicating evolving resistance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Genetics
Background:
- The global spread of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria poses a significant threat to public health.
- Beta-lactamase genes and integrons are key drivers of antibiotic resistance in these pathogens.
- Intestinal and tracheal carriage are important reservoirs for the dissemination of resistant bacteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of beta-lactamase genes and integrons in Gram-negative bacteria within a neurosurgery intensive care unit (neuro-ICU).
- To determine the association of these resistance genes with patient carriage (intestinal and tracheal).
- To identify novel extensively drug-resistant strains and understand the ongoing evolution of antibiotic resistance.
Main Methods:
- Conducted seven weekly prevalence surveys of 60 patients in a Moscow neuro-ICU from October to November 2019.
- Collected and analyzed 293 clinical samples, including 146 rectal and 147 tracheal swabs.
- Identified and quantified various beta-lactamase genes (blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCTX-M, blaNDM, blaKPC, blaOXA-48, etc.) and class 1 and 2 integrons in 344 Gram-negative bacterial isolates.
Main Results:
- Detected a high prevalence of beta-lactamase genes and integrons in Gram-negative bacteria from the neuro-ICU.
- Found a significant association between the carriage of these resistance genes and both intestinal and tracheal colonization in patients.
- Identified an extensively drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strain carrying multiple beta-lactamase and carbapenemase genes, alongside two class 1 integrons.
Conclusions:
- The neuro-ICU environment in Moscow harbors a high burden of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.
- Patient carriage plays a crucial role in the dissemination of beta-lactamase genes and integrons within this critical care setting.
- The emergence of highly resistant strains like the identified Klebsiella pneumoniae highlights the continuous evolution of antibiotic resistance, necessitating enhanced surveillance and control strategies.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies.
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:17Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...
01:25Endocarditis I: Introduction
01:17Endotracheal Intubation II: Nursing Management
1. Nursing Care of Patients Before Intubation
Before the endotracheal intubation procedure, nurses play an essential role in ensuring the process goes smoothly. The nurses must be familiar with intubation...
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...