Detection of novel nucleotide substitutions resulting amino acid substitutions in TEM type beta-lactamase gene isolated from a clinically isolated extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) productive Escherichia coli]

We screened Escherichia coli (E. coli) from specimens submitted to the Showa University hospital clinical laboratory that showed an advanced resistance to third generation cephems (Cefotaxime or Ceftazidime), as candidate extended spectrum beta-lactamases(ESBLs) producing strains. Among the candidates, two strains showed the characteristics of class A ESBLs in their susceptibility to Cefmetazole, a second generation cephem, and their resistance was inhibited by the addition of clavulanic acid. Further, we detected the TEM-type gene in one of the two E. coli strains. By determining the nucleotide sequence of the whole coding region of the TEM gene, two nucleotide substitutions with amino acid substitutions 82Val-->Ile, and 182Ala-->Val were identified.