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Pseudomonas aeruginosa R factors determining gentamicin plus carbenicillin resistance from patients with urinary
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
|January 1, 1975
Abstract:
R factors determining multiple resistance including both gentamicin and carbenicillin have been identified in high incidence among hospital isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The factors are readily transmitted to other P. aeruginosa but not to Escherichia coli strains K-12 or C, or to Proteus mirabilis. R factor-containing isolates are predominantly immunotype 7 isolated from urinary sources.
Insights
Multiple drug resistance factors, including gentamicin and carbenicillin resistance, are common in hospital Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These R factors spread easily between P. aeruginosa but not to other bacteria like E. coli.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial genetics
- Antimicrobial resistance
Background:
- Hospital-acquired infections often involve multidrug-resistant bacteria.
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant opportunistic pathogen in healthcare settings.
- R factors are plasmids conferring antibiotic resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize R factors responsible for multiple drug resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- To investigate the transmissibility of these R factors between bacterial species.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of R factors from clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates.
- Conjugation experiments to assess R factor transfer to recipient strains (P. aeruginosa, E. coli, P. mirabilis).
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing to confirm resistance phenotypes.
Main Results:
- High incidence of R factors conferring resistance to gentamicin and carbenicillin identified in hospital P. aeruginosa.
- Efficient transmission of R factors observed among P. aeruginosa strains.
- No significant transmission of R factors to E. coli or P. mirabilis strains.
- R factor-harboring isolates were predominantly immunotype 7 and sourced from urinary tract infections.
Conclusions:
- Specific R factors contribute significantly to multidrug resistance in hospital-acquired P. aeruginosa.
- The transmissibility of these R factors is largely restricted to the P. aeruginosa species.
- Understanding R factor epidemiology is crucial for controlling infections caused by resistant P. aeruginosa.