Molecular epidemiology of β-lactamase-producing enterococci

J. Evans Patterson, A. Wagner, K. K. Zscheck, M. J. Zervos, B. E. Murray

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Plasmids from the first six reported β-lactamase-producing (Bla+) enterococci were compared for genetic relatedness. Bla+ enterococcal plasmids from strains isolated in Houston, Tex.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Connecticut; and Pittsburgh, Pa., had heterogeneous HaeIII and MspI-ClaI restriction endonuclease digestion patterns. A staphylococcal β-lactamase probe hybridized to all six Bla+ enterococcal plasmids, but hybridization was detected on different HaeIII and MspI-ClaI fragments of the six plasmids. An enterococcal gentamicin resistance (Gm(r)) probe hybridized to a common 3.9-kilobase HaeIII fragment from the five Gm(r) plasmids. The Houston plasmid was cross-hybridized to the other five strains, and moderate to extensive homology was demonstrated. Bla+ enterococcal plasmids from a broad geographic range are heterogeneous with respect to size and restriction endonuclease digestion patterns but contain homologous genetic material, including Bla+ and Gm(r) determinants.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)302-305
Number of pages4
JournalAntimicrobial agents and chemotherapy
Volume34
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1990
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Molecular epidemiology of β-lactamase-producing enterococci'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this