Diversity of structures carrying the aac(6`)-aph(2") gene in clinical Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium strains isolated in Tunisia
- Klibi, N. 3
- Ben Slama, K. 3
- Masmoudi, A. 2
- Gharbi, S. 3
- Ruiz-Larrea, F. 1
- Fendri, C. 2
- Boudabous, A. 3
- Torres, C. 1
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1
Universidad de La Rioja
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2
Hôpital La Rabta
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3
Université de Tunis El Manar
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ISSN: 0305-7453
Year of publication: 2006
Volume: 18
Issue: 4
Pages: 353-359
Type: Article
More publications in: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
Abstract
The diversity of structures carrying the aac(6′)-aph(2″) gene was studied in 46 high-level gentamicin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium clinical strains recovered in a Tunisian hospital during the period 2000-2003. The inclusion of the aac(6′)-aph(2″) gene within the Tn4001 composite element or in its truncated forms (lacking the IS256 at the right, the left or at both sides of the aac(6′)-aph(2″) gene) was investigated by PCR and sequencing. The aac(6′)-aph(2″) gene was included in the composite Tn4001 element in 19 of 34 high-level gentamicin-resistant E. faecalis strains (56%) and in 1 of 12 E. faecium strains (12%). A truncated form of Tn4001 lacking IS256 at the left-hand (in 10 E. faecalis and 8 E. faecium), at the right-hand (3 E. faecalis and 2 E. faecium) or at both sides of the aac(6′)-aph(2″) gene (in 2 E. faecalis and 1 E. faecium) was also detected in 26 of our enterococci. The transference by conjugation of the aac(6′)-aph(2″) gene, associated with other resistance genes, was demonstrated in seven of the high-level gentamicin-resistant E. faecalis strains. © E.S.I.F.T. srl.