Flavobacterium odoratum: a species resistant to a wide range of antimicrobial agents.

Abstract

During the period 1966-77, 24 strains of Flavobacterium odoratum were identified from among strains of Gram-negative, non-fermentative bacteria submitted to the National Collection of Type Cultures for computer-assisted identification. The F. odoratum strains showed resistance to therapeutic levels of gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin, and carbenicillin as well as to several other antimicrobial agents generally useful in the treatment of infections caused by Gram-negative, non-fermentative bacteria. Two strains isolated from amputation stumps and another three strains isolated in significant numbers from urine specimens were possibly opportunist pathogens. The biochemical characteristics of the 24 strains, the proposed neotype strain of F. odoratum, and three strains representative of a group, referred to at the Center for Disease Control, Atlanta as group M-4f, were compared with those of biochemically similar species which may be isolated from clinical material.

Antibacterial activities of multi drug resistant Myroides odoratimimus bacteria isolated from adult flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) are independent of metallo beta-lactamase gene

“…isolated in present case, exhibited broad range of antibiotic resistance and so also antimicrobial activity against various pathogens. It is well established fact that the resistance to various antimicrobials may be due to presence of some virulence gene or involvement of secretion machinery of multi drug efflux proteins (12,24). Increased antibiotic resistance in such bacteria where β-lactamase gene subunit is lacking, is mediated by acquiring resistance mechanisms through mutations in bacterial genome or by gaining additional genes through horizontal gene transfer or by physiology dependent resistance.…”

“…in various clinical, environmental and insect gut bacterial isolates. Myroides bacteria isolated from flesh fly guts showed resistance to various antimicrobials including the one which were described in Holmes et al, 1979 and proved to be multi drug resistant. Although, β-lactam resistance has been linked with presence of β-lactamase genes, according to our interpretation, the Myroides sp., in our samples (FFA2) lacked presence of TUS and MUS genes (18).…”

“…The marked multiple drug resistance observed in some species, prompts the need to develop new antimicrobial agents active against this group of bacteria and to search for synergistic combinations. Resistance of nosocomial originated Flavobacteria to wide range of antimicrobial agents like gentamycin, tobramycin, amikacin and carbenicillin to which Gram-negative, non fermentative bacteria might be expected to be susceptible to suggests that any infections due to these species would prove difficult to treat, in case of clinical cases involving systemic infections (9,12).…”

“…are aerobic, yellowpigmented, Gram-negative rods that grow at both room temperature and 37ºC. They are habitat-specific organisms, like other members of the Flavobacteriaceae family, and are found in wet environments (12), insect guts (31) and sea water (19,37). Strains of M. odoratus and M. odoratimimus are sources of nosocomial infections in humans and behave like low-grade opportunistic pathogens.…”

“…Myroides was identified as a cause of surgery wound and urinary tract infections, septicemia, pneumonia, meningitis, fasciitis, and ventriculitis (36). Although the antibiotic resistance patterns of Flavibacterium and Myroides strains shows variable susceptibility to beta-lactams (β-lactams) (12), there is constant decrease in susceptibility to cephalosporin and imipenem. The β-lactamases produced by Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria play a significant role in resistance against β-lactam antibiotics but with variable activities (14,18).…”