Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing bacteria are not detected in supragingival plaque samples from human fecal carriers of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae

• Published in: Journal of oral microbiology 2014-01, Vol.6 (1), p.24026-7
• Main Authors: Søraas, Arne, Olsen, Ingar, Sundsfjord, Arnfinn, Handal, Trude, Bjørang, Ola, Jenum, Pål Arne
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibiotics; Antimicrobial agents; Bacteria; Bacteriology; Basale medisinske, odontologiske og veterinærmedisinske fag: 710; Basic medical, dental and veterinary science disciplines: 710; CTX-M; E coli; Enterobacteriaceae; Escherichia coli; extended-spectrum β-lactamase; Full text; Health care; Hospitalization; Infections; Medical disciplines: 700; Medical microbiology: 715; Medisinsk mikrobiologi: 715; Medisinske Fag: 700; Mortality; Older people; oral carriage; Original; Rahnella aquatilis; Studies; Urinary tract diseases; Urogenital system; VDP
• ISSN: 2000-2297; 2000-2297
• DOI: 10.3402/jom.v6.24026

The prevalence of infections caused by Cefotaximase-Munich (CTX-M)-type extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) has rapidly increased during the past 15 years. Enterobacteriaceae are commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract and long-term intestinal carriage is considered important for the spread of ESBL and as a source of clinical infections. Oral biofilm such as supragingival plaque is known to contain numerous antibiotic resistance determinants and may also represent a poorly investigated site for ESBL carriage and further spread. To investigate possible carriage of ESBL-producing bacteria in supragingival plaque of known fecal carriers of these bacteria. We screened for the presence of aerobic and anaerobic ESBL-producing bacteria and bla CTX-M in supragingival plaque samples from healthy human adults with culture-verified fecal carriage of CTX-M-producing Escherichia coli. The presence or absence of Enterobacteriaceae and ESBL-producing bacteria in plaque samples was evaluated using culture-based methods and consensus CTX-M PCR. Oral samples were obtained from 17 participants with known previous carriage of ESBL-producing E. coli. No ESBL-producing bacteria or ESBL genes were detected using culture-based and molecular methods. One colony of Rahnella aquatilis harboring the class A ESBL gene bla RAHN-1/2 was identified in an oral sample from one of the participants. This pilot study supports the notion that the presence of CTX-M-producing bacteria is uncommon in oral plaque of healthy human adult fecal carriers. Due to the limited number of persons tested, a low prevalence of oral ESBL-carriage in healthy adults or carriage in selected groups of patients cannot be excluded. To our knowledge, this is the first description of an R. aquatilis with the RAHN-1/2 gene in the oral cavity.