Detection of amp C in Enterobacter cloacae in China

PCR amplification of 55 strains of Enterobacter cloacae indicated 51 of them had amp C structural gene verified by DNA sequence and Southern blotting. All PCR products were cleaved into 666- and 328-bp fragments by Kpn1 restriction enzyme. Imipenem was the most potent inducer for mRNA expression of amp C gene and β-lactamase activity. The β-Lactamase inhibitor R0481220 strongly inhibited Amp C β-lactamases; 96.4% (53/55) of Enterobacter cloacae producing Amp C enzyme were susceptible to cefepime.