Identification of plasmid-encoded cephalosporinase ACC-1 among several enterobacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella) issued from a tunisian hospital (Sfax, 1997-2000)

Because a multiresistant K. pneumoniae outbreak detected in an intensive care unit of a parisian hospital, combined to the production of the plasmid-encoded cephalosporinase ACC-1, a probable importation via a patient was suggested from another country (Tunisia). The investigation was conducted to examine 35 clinical strains of enterobacteria resistant to ceftazidime without synergy towards Augmentin(R). Other test of synergy with two inhibitors, BRL 42715, Ro 48-5545 was performed by diffusion method and deposit of 10 mug of inhibitor on disks containing ceftazidime, cefoxitin and cefotetan. Synergies were obtained suggesting a probable production of ACC-1 type among six isolates of K. pneumoniae (two), Proteus mirabilis (one) and Salmonella (three) issued from different units, The isoelectric focusing on gel revealed at least one band of beta-lactamase activity at 7.8 but also demonstrated the simultaneous production of several probable beta-lactamases including TEM-type, SHV-2 and ACC-1 among S. enterica ser. Livingstone. The PCR of the gene bla(acc-1) was positive. The sequencing (1160 pb) of two products showed high identity (99-100%) with the gene bla(acc-1) deposited in 1999. Finally the ACC-1 type reported in Tunisia was probably imported in France via a patient. Because a simultaneous synthesis of ESBL and ACC-1 type, its presence may be invisible and need more investigation. (C) 2002 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.