High-level of resistance to β-lactam and presence of β-lactamases encoding genes in Ochrobactrum sp. and Achromobacter sp. isolated from soil.

OBJECTIVES

Bacteria belonging to the genera Ochrobactrum and Achromobacter are bacteria considered opportunistic, causing infections mainly in immunocompromised patients. β-lactamases are the main cause of resistance to β-lactam antibiotics. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial resistance profile and the presence of β-lactamases encoding genes in Ochrobactrum sp. and Achromobacter sp. isolated from Brazilian soils.

METHODS

Soil samples from the five regions of Brazil were collected for the isolation of bacteria, which were identified molecularly and then, the minimum inhibitory concentration and detection of β-lactamases encoding genes were performed.

RESULTS

High-level of resistance to β-lactam antibiotics and different β-lactamases encoding genes were found (bla, bla, bla and bla), including the first report of the presence of bla in bacteria belonging to the genera Ochrobactrum and Achromobacter.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that the bacteria from this study, belonging to genera Ochrobactrum and Achromobacter isolated from soil, harbor different β-lactamases encoding genes and can act as a reservoir of these genes.