Dissemination of resistance plasmids among gentamicin-resistant enterobacteria from hospital patients. Issue 6294 (19th September 1981)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Knight, S; Casewell, M
• Is Part Of: BMJ. Volume 283:Issue 6294(1981)
• Page Start: 755
• Page End: 756
• Publication Date: 1981-09-19
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.283.6294.755
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1447

Abstract

Abstract : Out of 184 patients who were infected or colonised with gentamicin-resistant enterobacteria, 17 (9%) harboured more than one strain. Single antibiotic-resistance plasmids were common to more than one of the different organisms isolated from nine patients, strongly suggestive of in-vivo conjugation. An "epidemic" plasmid with a molecular weight of approximately 110 megadaltons was found in 11 distinct strains isolated from four patients. Seven of the organisms harbouring this plasmid were Klebsiella aerogenes. Spread of multiple-resistance plasmids among endemic gentamicin-resistant enterobacteria is not uncommon, and these organisms provide a reservoir of plasmids that may ultimately spread to more pathogenic genera.