Analysis of genetic determinants involved in multiresistance in clinical strains isolated from renal transplantation recipients in Guangzhou, China

In the present study, we examined the antibiotic sensitivity of 19 bacterial strains [5 coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, 2 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), 2 Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium), 5 Escherichia coli (E. coli), 3 Cedecea sp., 1 Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), and 1 Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia)], which were isolated from renal transplantation patients using the Kirby-Bauer method. We also investigated the production of β-lactamase and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL), and the presence of the integrase gene (intI1) and resistance gene cassette. Among the 19 strains tested, all displayed severe multiresistance, and 12 strains produced β-lactamase, in which 6 strains were ESBL positive. Eleven strains were revealed to possess the class 1 integron; however, neither class 2 nor 3 was detected. Additionally, 3 drug resistance genes, aadA2, dfrA17, and aadA5, were found in some strains. The results indicate that the horizontal transfer of the β-lactamase gene and/or the class 1 integron may contribute significantly to the spread of multiresistant bacteria among renal transplantation patients.