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Wildlife has recently been pinpointed as one of the drivers of dissemination of genes conferring resistances to clinically important antimicrobials. The presence of both extended-spectrum beta-lactamase- (ESBL) and carbapenemase-encoding genes has notably been reported in wild birds, that can act as sentinels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) contamination but also as long-distance spreaders in case of migratory birds. Here, 424 wild birds brought to a rescue center in France were sampled over a 6-month period. These birds encompassed 62 different sedentary or migratory species. A further 16 wild mammals present in the center were also investigated. No carbapenemase-producer was found, but we identified a surprisingly high proportion (24.1%) of ESBL-positive isolates. A total of 144 non-duplicate isolates were collected, including Escherichia coli (n = 88), Enterobacter cloacae (n = 51), and Citrobacter freundii (n = 5), of which 123 carried the bla CTX–M–9 gene. PFGE, phylogroup, and MLST revealed the presence of a limited number of ESBL-positive clones circulating in these animals, all presenting multiple associated resistances. Next-generation sequencing on a subset of isolates, followed by Southern blot hybridization, showed the wide dissemination of an IncHI2/ST1 plasmid carrying the bla CTX–M–9, bla SHV–12 and mcr-9 genes. In all, our results undoubtedly reflect cross transmissions of ESC-resistance (ESC-R) Enterobacteriaceae within the rescue center – similarly to nosocomial spreads observed at hospital, rather than the true bacterial flora of birds. We also showed that the spread of ESC-R in this rescue center did not only rely on clonal but also on a highly successful plasmidic transmission. Since most animals are intended to get back to nature after a few days or weeks, this is obviously an issue with regard to ESBL dissemination in natural environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports the identification of OXA-48-producing Enterobacter cloacae isolates recovered from patients who had been transferred from a Morocco hospital to two hospitals in two different French cities in August 2010. It notes the high prevalence of OXA-48 producers in Turkey, Belgium and North Africa. It describes the patients, a female traffic accident victim who had E. cloacae isolate 501 recovered from urine and rectal swabs, and a male stroke patient who had multidrug-resistant E. cloacae isolate BOU from rectal screening.

The article discusses the nosocomial dissemination of extended-spectrum Β-lactamases (ESBL)- and qnr-positive Enterobacter (E) cloacae during a 12-month period and restricted to the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) of the Bicêtre Hospital in France. Identification of Β-lactamase genes and qnr genes was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-specific primers and sequencing. Qnr resistance determinants provide the first resistance step for further in vivo selection of high-level resistance to fluoroquinolones.