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Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
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Aminoglycoside resistance among isolates of nosocomial Enterobacteriaceae

P L Botha, G Elisha, K Pratt

    South African Medical Journal = Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif Vir Geneeskunde
    |September 19, 1981
    PubMed

    Insights

    Gentamicin resistance in hospital bacteria is often due to aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes. Many of these resistant Enterobacteriaceae strains showed evidence of plasmid-mediated resistance.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Molecular biology
    • Genetics

    Background:

    • Gentamicin is a crucial antibiotic for treating serious Gram-negative infections.
    • The emergence of gentamicin-resistant bacteria poses a significant threat to public health.
    • Enterobacteriaceae are common causes of hospital-acquired infections.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the mechanisms of gentamicin resistance in hospital-acquired Enterobacteriaceae.
    • To identify the prevalence of aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes in these resistant isolates.
    • To determine the potential role of plasmids in the dissemination of resistance.

    Main Methods:

    • Isolation and identification of Enterobacteriaceae from clinical samples.
    • Phenotypic testing for gentamicin resistance.
    • Enzyme assays to detect aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes.
    • Conjugation experiments to assess plasmid-mediated resistance.

    Main Results:

    • Fifty-seven gentamicin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates were identified.
    • Fifty-one (89.5%) of these isolates produced aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes.
    • Thirty-four (66.7%) of the enzyme-producing strains exhibited plasmid-mediated resistance, confirmed by conjugation.

    Conclusions:

    • Aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes are prevalent in gentamicin-resistant hospital Enterobacteriaceae.
    • Plasmids play a significant role in the spread of gentamicin resistance among these bacteria.
    • Understanding these resistance mechanisms is vital for effective antibiotic stewardship and infection control.

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