OBJECTIVETo study the genotype distribution of extended-spectrum p-lactamases (ESBLs) and AmpC p-lactamases produced in E. coli isolated from men with urinary infection in Nanjing.

METHODSOrganisms of clinical infection were identified by automatic microbial system (Vitek-32). ESBLs were detected by disk diffusion confirmatory test, and ESBLs and AmpC p-lactamases by three-dimensional extract test (TDET) , the presence of plasmid-mediated ESBLs and ampC genes determined by PCR, and conjugal transfer assays of the ampC resistance determinants carried out by a broth mating procedure.

RESULTSESBLs were produced in 24. 6% (46/187) of the E. coli and the 46 E. coli isolates showed p-lactamase activity in TDET, 3 positive for both ESBLs and AmpC beta-lactamases and 43 for ESBLs only. Forty-four of the 46 isolates were shown by PCR to contain at least one of the genes blaTEM, blaOXA, bla(CTX-M), but no blaSHA. AmpC specific amplication products were observed in 3 of the 46 isolates, of which 2 were of CIT type, and 1 of DHA type. All of the 3 transconjugants transferred the plasmids harbouring ampC genes to recipients.

CONCLUSIONCTX-M is the most common genotype in plasmid-mediated ESBLs produced by E. coli isolated from men with urinary infection in Nanjing. Present findings indicate that AmpC-producing E. coli are present in this hospital, and ampC-encoding plasmids are transferable.