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Objectives: The contribution of integrons and efflux pumps to multidrug resistance in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was evaluated.
Materials and methods: Ninety-three S. maltophilia clinical isolates were studied. PCR and direct sequencing were used to detect the presence of integrons. Real-time PCR was performed to assess and quantify the expression of the Sme efflux pumps of S. maltophilia.
Results: Class 1 integrons were detected in 22% of clinical isolates and carried cassettes conferring resistance mainly to aminoglycosides and trimethoprim. The small multidrug resistance gene, smr, was found on class 1 integrons in six isolates. Thirty-one percent of the isolates overexpressed the smeDEF gene, as compared with a control strain, and 59% overexpressed the smeABC gene. Extrusion of ciprofloxacin and meropenem was specific to the SmeABC and SmeDEF pumps, respectively.
Conclusion: SmeABC and SmeDEF efflux pumps play important roles in resistance of S. maltophilia to ciprofloxacin and meropenem.
Keywords: Keywords: real-time PCR, class 1 integrons, plasmids
Journal Article. 2153 words.
Subjects: Medical Oncology ; Critical Care
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