Multiplex PCR for Simultaneous Detection of Aminoglycoside Resistance Genes in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae

The purpose of this study was to develop a multiplex PCR for the detection of aac(6')-Ib, aph(3')-Ia, and ant(2")-Ia; the genes that encode the most clinically relevant aminoglycoside modifying enzymes (AMEs) in Gram-negative bacteria. Clinical isolates of 80 E. coli and 23 K. pneumoniae from tertiary university hospital were tested by multiplex PCR. The most prevalent AME gene was aac(6')-Ib which was found in 22.3% of the isolates. Of the total 80 E. coli isolates, 1 isolate was found to contain both aph(3')-Ia and ant(2")-Ia simultaneouly. Of the total 23 K. pneumoniae isolates, 2 isolates were found to contain both aac(6')-Ib and aph(3')-Ia, and 1 isolate was found to contain both aac(6')-Ib and ant(2")-Ia simultaneously. Annual (2005~2009) analysis of isolates that contain the AME genes were of no correlation. The sensitivity and specificity of multiplex PCR in detecting AME genes was 94.4% (34 of 36 cases) and 100%, respectively. We suggest the multiplex PCR method we developed could be highly sensitive and specific in detecting the AME genes of E. coli and K. pneumoniae. This study could be the first published investigation in which the multiplex PCR method detects aac(6')-Ib, aph(3')-Ia, and ant(2")-Ia genes.