Dissemination amongst humans and food products of animal origin of a Salmonella typhimurium clone expressing an integron-borne OXA-30 β-lactamase

Abstract

Objectives: Characterization of the molecular basis for β-lactam resistance and evaluation of the clonal relatedness among nine isolates of multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhimurium recovered from seven clinical human samples and two pork end products. Methods: The isolates were examined for susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. The relationships between resistance genes, class 1 integrons, plasmids and isolates were screened by molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length analysis. Results: A bla-OXA-30 gene, located in a class 1 integron, was detected in all isolates. This integron was present on a conjugative plasmid in all but one isolate. By pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, it was determined that all strains share the same chromosomal type. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the spread of an OXA-30-producing S. typhimurium in Portugal, suggesting dissemination of a resistant clone through the food chain. © The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 2004; all rights reserved.