Title:Correlation Between qacE and qacE∆1 Efflux Pump Genes, Antibiotic and Disinfectant Resistant Among Clinical Isolates of E.coli
Volume: 11
Issue: 2
Author(s): Maryam Shafaati, Mohammadali Boroumand, Jamileh Nowroozi, Pouya Amiri and Hossein Kazemian
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Disinfectant, DDDMAC, efflux pump, QAC.
Abstract: Introduction: Antiseptics and disinfectants have been used widely in hospitals and
other health care settings to control the growth of microorganisms. However, some disinfectant
resistant strains were reported. The objectives of our study were to evaluate correlation between
the efflux pump genes, drugs and disinfectant resistant among clinical isolates of E.coli.
Methods: A total of 102 of E. coli strains were isolated from urine sample of hospitalized patients.
The antibiotic susceptibility was carried out by disc diffusion method. Didecyl di-methyl
ammonium chloride (DDDMAC) was used as Quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) disinfectant
which was used in Heart Center Hospital. PCR reaction was carried out for detection of
qacE and qac∆E efflux pump genes.
Result: Almost all the strains had higher resistance to ampicillin, ciproflaxacin, cotrimaxazole
and cephalothin. Totally 49% (n: 50) of strains were produced ESBL. Almost all the strains
have MIC value between 0.00195 to 0.0078 mg/l for DDDMAC. Correlation between presence
of qacE and qac∆E genes and antibiotic resistance was perceived. Presence of qacE and qac∆E
genes among strains that have high disinfectant MIC value were 96.9% and 93.7% respectively.
In addition, 98% of ESBL producing strains harbored qacE gene and 94% of ESBL producing
strains harbored qac∆E gene.
Conclusion: Our study indicated that there was a strong correlation between presence of qacE
and qac∆E genes with resistance to some antibiotics and growth in media which contain high
concentration of disinfectant. In conclusion, other mechanisms also play important role in resistant
to antimicrobial agents but the role of efflux pumps in resistant to antimicrobial agents
should not be neglected.
