Objective:To explore the resistance of common clinical isolates to chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) and the clinical characteristics of patients with the infections.Methods:A total of 1 000 isolates from the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University in 2018 (from January to May) were collected, which included 200 strains each of Escherichia coli ( E. coli), Acinetobacter baumanii ( A. baumanii), Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( P. aeruginosa), Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus), and Enterococcus spp.. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of CHG against 1 000 isolates were determined by the agar dilution method. The correlation between the resistance of isolates and clinical characteristics of infected patients was analyzed. Chi-square test or Fisher exact probability test were used for statistical analysis. Results:A total of 57 CHG resistant strains were detected in 1 000 clinical isolates. These CHG-resistant strains were mainly isolated from sputum and intensive care unit ward, accounting for 49.1%(28/57)and 38.6%(22/57), respectively. The resistance rates of P. aeruginosa, A. baumanii, Enterococcus spp., S. aureus, and E. coli to CHG were 16.0%(32/200), 7.0%(14/200), 3.0%(6/200), 1.5%(3/200) and 1.0%(2/200), respectively. The CHG-resistant rates of P. aeruginosa to ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and gentamicin were 53.1%(17/32), 78.1%(25/32), 65.6%(21/32) and 50.0%(16/32), respectively, which were all higher than those of CHG-sensitive P. aeruginosa (25.0%(8/32), 25.0%(8/32), 21.9%(7/32) and 15.6%(5/32), respectively), with statistical significance ( χ2=5.317, 18.080, 12.444 and 8.576, respectively, all P<0.05). The hospital mortality was 22.8%(13/57) in patients infected with CHG-resistant bacteria, which was higher than that in patients infected with CHG-sensitive bacteria ((7.0%(4/57); Fisher exact probability test, P=0.018)). CHG-resistant group had a higher history of CHG exposure and antimicrobial treatment (61.4%(35/57) and 70.2%(40/57), respectively), which were both higher than those with CHG-susceptible isolates (17.5%(10/57) and 47.4%(27/57), respectively), the differences were both statistically significant ( χ2=22.947 and 6.118, respectively, both P<0.05). In addition, the multi-drug resistance rate of CHG-resistant strains was 54.4%(31/57), which was higher than that of CHG-susceptible strains (35.1%(20/57)), the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.293, P=0.039). Conclusions:CHG resistant strains have higher antimicrobial resistance. Hospital mortality in patients infected with CHG-resistant bacteria is higher than patients infected with CHG-sensitive bacteria. The important risk factors are CHG exposure and antimicrobial therapy.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of intra-articular injection of different concentrations of ozonated water on articular cartilage of rabbits with osteoarthritis (OA).Methods:Twenty-four clean-grade New Zealand white rabbits of both sexes, weighing 2.0-3.0 kg, aged 6 months, were divided into 4 groups ( n=6 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), OA group, low concentration ozonated water group (L group) and high concentration ozonated water group (H group). The OA model was established by intra-articular injection of papain.At 2 weeks after the model was successfully established, 10.0 and 20.0 μg/ml ozonated water 1.0 ml was injected into the knee joint of rabbits in L and H groups, respectively, and 0.9% sodium chloride solution 1.0 ml was injected once a week, 3 times in total in OA group.At 1 week after the last injection, the cartilage tissue of the knee joint was removed and stained with toluidine blue for evaluation of Mankin score (under light microscope). The activity of caspase-3 in chondrocyte was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results:Compared with group C, the Mankin score and caspase-3 activity were significantly increased in the other 3 groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group OA, the Mankin score and caspase-3 activity were significantly decreased in group L and group H ( P<0.05). Compared with group L, the Mankin score was significantly increased, and the activity of caspase-3 was decreased in group H ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Injecting ozonated water 10.0 μg/ml and 20.0 μg/ml into the knee joint cavity both can inhibit the apoptosis in chondrocytes and reduce the damage to articular cartilage, however, high concentration of ozonated water can cause the denaturation of the articular cartilage matrix in rabbits with OA.

Objective:To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of mcr genes in clinical isolates of Aeromonas spp. in our hospital, and provide reference for clinical analysis of the prevalence and expression of colistin resistance genes. Methods:Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect mcr genes in 183 Aeromonas spp. strains. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of colistin and polymyxin against mcr-positive Aeromonas spp. were detected by micro broth dilution method. Broth conjugation and filter mating conjugation were performed. Whole genome sequencing was used to analyze the genetic environment of mcr-3 gene in Aeromonas spp.. A recombinant Escherichia coli ( E. coli) DH5α-pGEM-T: : p mcr-3 strain was constructed to verify the expression of mcr-3 gene. Results:The positive rate of mcr-3 gene in 183 strains of Aeromonas spp. was 2.19% (4/183). No mcr-1 or mcr-2 gene was detected among these isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility test showed that four mcr-3-carrying Aeromonas hydrophilia ( A. hydrophilia) strains were sensitive to colistin and polymyxin (MIC<2 μg/ml). Conjugation experiments indicated that mcr-3 gene could not be transferred between strains. Whole-genome sequencing analysis suggested that the mcr-3 genes carried by the A. hydrophilia isolates belonged to mcr-3.2 and mcr-3-like variants, and no adjacent transfer element was detected upstream and downstream. The recombinant E. coli DH5α-pGEM-T: : p mcr-3 strain was sensitive to colistin (MIC=2 μg/ml). Conclusions:The clinical isolates of A. hydrophilia in our hospital carried mcr-3 gene, but does not exhibit colistin resistance, and no evidence supported the transfer of mcr-3 gene for the time being.

Objective:To investigate the role of type Ⅵ secretion system (T6SS) in the pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance of Acinetobacter baumanii. Methods:From January 1 to December 31, 2016, a total of 45 Acinetobacter baumanii isolates were collected from patients with bloodstream infection in the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. The susceptibilities to commonly used antimicrobial agents were determined by VITEK 2 Compact automatic microbiology analyzer. Detection of T6SS characteristic gene hemolysin coregulated protein ( hcp) was achieved by polymerase chain reaction. Biofilm formations, serum resistances and competition tests of T6SS-positive/negative Acinetobacter baumanii were performed in vitro. The clinical data of patients with bloodstream infection were collected and analyzed. Chi-square test, t test and Kruskal-Wallis test were conducted for statistical analysis. Results:The positive rate of T6SS in 45 Acinetobacter baumanii isolates was 53.3% (24/45). The resistance rates of T6SS-positive Acinetobacter baumanii to ceftazidime, ciprofloxdcin, gentamicin, imipenem, levofloxacin, piperacillin/tazobactam, tobramycin and cefepime (95.8%, 95.8%, 66.7%, 95.8%, 79.2%, 95.8%, 79.2%, 91.7%)were all higher than that of T6SS-negative Acinetobacter baumanii (28.6%, 28.6%, 28.6%, 28.6%, 9.5%, 23.8%, 23.8%, 28.6%), and the differences were all statistically significant ( χ2=22.12, 22.12, 6.51, 22.12, 21.83, 24.72, 13.79, 18.97, respectively, all P<0.05). The biofilm formation ability, serum resistance and competitive ability of T6SS-positive Acinetobacter baumanii were stronger than those of T6SS-negative Acinetobacter baumanii, and the differences were all statistically significant ( t=4.99, Z=-2.61 and -2.27, respectively, all P<0.05). The positive rate of T6SS isolated from intensive care unit (ICU) ward (80.0%, 16/20) was significantly higher than that from non-ICU ward (32.0%, 8/25; χ2=10.29, P<0.05). But T6SS had no effect on the prognosis of patients ( χ2=1.74, P=0.188). Conclusions:T6SS of Acinetobacter baumanii is associated with high pathogenicity, and the high drug resistance rate makes treatment extremely difficult. Physicians need to pay much attention, especially to the patients from ICU wards.

Objective:To analyze the molecular epidemiology and virulence characteristics of polymyxin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae ( K. pneumoniae). Methods:From 2011 to 2016, 1 376 strains of K. pneumoniae were isolated from various clinical specimens of hospitalized patients in First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. Agar dilution method was used to screen out the polymyxin-resistant strains.Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the genes related to polymyxin resistance, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the relative mRNA expression level of drug resistant genes. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, multilocus sequence typing and Galleria mellonella larvae infection model were performed to analyze the molecular epidemiological and virulent characteristics. Results:A total of 14 strains (1.02%) of polymyxin-resistant K. pneumoniae were detected among 1 376 K. pneumoniae isolates. Subsequent sequencing identified mutations leading to amino-acid changes (K2E, F28C) in MgrB of 10 isolates and D150G in PhoQ of nine isolates, and genes such as mcr and crrB were not detected in all drug-resistant strains. Compared with standard strains, the relative expression levels of pmrH and pmrD mRNA of these drug resistant strains were increased. Analysis of the molecular epidemiology indicated that the 14 drug-resistant strains were divided into nine clones. Galleria mellonella larvae infection model revealed polymyxin-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates had higher virulence. Conclusions:Polymyxin-resistant K. pneumoniae has mutations in mgrB and phoQ genes, and mgrB mutation may play a key role in the change of virulence profiles. The homology among the polymyxin-resistant K. pneumoniae stains in this study is low.

Objective: To investigate the distribution and expression of T3SS virulence genes in clinically isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) strains and its correlation with drug resistance. Methods: A total of 68 P. aeruginosa isolates were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University in 2015. The antimicrobial susceptibility was detected by the agar dilution method. The distribution of virulence genes such as exoU, exoS, exoT and exoY from different isolates was detected by PCR. The expression levels of transcriptional regulator genes (ptrA and exsA) and effector-related genes (exoT and exoS) in some isolates were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and the Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the results. Results: The detection rates of exoT and exoY in 68 P. aeruginosa isolates were higher, accounting for 79.4% and 75.0%, respectively. The detection rate of exoT in wound-sourced isolates was significantly higher than that in sputum (97.0% vs 61.8%, P＜0.01). In addition, the genotype of exoU - /exoS + was the most common, accounting for 51.5% (35/68). The resistance rates of sputum-sourced isolates to imipenem and meropenem were significantly higher than that of wound-sourced isolates (47.1% vs 8.8%, 47.1% vs 14.7%, P＜0.01). The resistance rates of isolates carrying exoU gene to carbapenems, aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones were higher than those of isolates carrying exoS, exoT or exoY genes. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the expression level of ptrA gene was negatively correlated with those of exoT, exoS and exsA genes (P＜0.05). Conclusion The P. aeruginosa isolates from our hospital carrying T3SS virulence genes exoT and exoY are common, and the virulence genes are related to the drug resistance of P. aeruginosa. In addition, ptrA may be a potential negative regulatory gene for the expression of T3SS virulence genes.

Objective: To investigate the in vitro antibacterial activity of triclosan combined with different antibacterial agents against triclosan-resistant multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (A.baumannii). Methods: A total of 626 A. baumannii strains were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from 2016 to 2017. The sensitivity of these A. baumannii strains to common antibiotics was detected by VITEK 2-compact automatical microbiological analyzer and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of triclosan were detected by agar dilution method. Checkerboard method was used to detect the changes in MIC values of triclosan against 16 triclosan-resistant multidrug-resistant A. baumannii strains after it was used in combination with four external ointments, including gentamicin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol and kanamycin, and three common antibiotics of imipenem, meropenem and ciprofloxacin, respectively. Fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) was used to evaluate the joint bacteriostatic effects. Results: Among the 626 A. baumannii strains, 17 were resistant to triclosan with a drug resistance rate of 2.7% (17/626). These triclosan-resistant strains had high MIC values for ciprofloxacin, imipenem, ceftazidime and other commonly used clinical antibiotic and most of them were multidrug-resistant. After triclosan was used in combination with seven different antibacterial drugs, the MIC values of all drugs decreased to various degrees compared with those when they were used alone. Triclosan in combination with gentamicin, chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin showed synergistic effects on 62.5%, 56.25% and 62.5% of the 16 strains and additive effects on 37.5%, 43.75% and 37.5%, respectively. When it was used in combination with erythromycin, kanamycin, imipenem and meropenem, synergistic effects on 37.5%, 25%, 12.5% and 12.5%, additive effects on 37.5%, 56.25%, 62.5% and 62.5%, and indifferent effects on 25%, 18.75%, 25% and 25% of the strains were detected, respectively. No antagonistic effect was found between triclosan and any of the above antibiotics. Conclusions Triclosan combined with gentamicin, chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin had better in vitro antibacterial effects against the triclosan-resistant multidrug-resistant A. baumannii strains in this study with synergistic and additive effects. Some indifferent effects were found between triclosan and kanamycin, erythromycin, imipenem and meropenem, but no antagonistic effects were detected.

Objective To investigate the chlorhexidine acetate-resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae ( K. pneumoniae) clinical isolates and to analyze the possible mechanisms and molecular epidemiology of re-sistant isolates. Methods A total of 332 K. pneumoniae clinical isolates were collected in the First Affilia-ted Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University in 2015. Standard agar dilution was used to screen chlorhexidine acetate-resistant isolates. The minimum inhibition concentrations ( MIC) of chlorhexidine acetate to resistant isolates with and without the presence of carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone ( CCCP) , which was an efflux pump inhibitor, were analyzed. Efflux pump genes of cepA, qacE and qacΔE1 that carried by and ex-pressed in those isolates were detected by polymerase chain reaction ( PCR) and quantitative real-time PCR ( RT-qPCR) , respectively. The biofilm formation ability was measured by crystal violet staining. The homol-ogy among the chlorhexidine acetate-resistant isolates was investigated with multilocus sequence typing ( MLST) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis ( PFGE) . Results Twenty-five K. pneumoniae strains were re-sistant to chlorhexidine acetate. The MIC values of chlorhexidine acetate for them were reduced by at least four-fold in the presence of CCCP. Strains carrying the genes of cepA, qacE and qacΔE1 accounted for 100％, 40％ and 40％, respectively. The expression of the efflux pump genes in the chlorhexidine acetate-resistant isolates was higher than that in the susceptible isolates. The biofilm formation ability of the chlo-rhexidine acetate-resistant isolates was better than that of the susceptible isolates. Furthermore, negative, weak-positive and positive biofilm formation ability was observed in four ( 16％) , 20 ( 80％) and one (4％) strains, respectively. The results of MLST and PFGE showed that the 25 chlorhexidine acetate-resist-ant isolates belonged to 19 different sequence types ( ST) with diverse PFGE patterns. Conclusions This study suggested that active efflux was the main mechanism of chlorhexidine acetate resistance in K. pneumoni-ae. The 25 chlorhexidine acetate-resistant K. pneumoniae strains possessed different biofilm formation ability and shared low homology.

Objective: To evaluate the in vitro antibiotic effects of colistin combined with meropenem, levofloxacin or fosfomycin against colistin-heteroresistant Acinetobacter baumannii (A.baumannii). Methods: A total of 576 A. baumannii clinical isolates were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from 2014 to 2015. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of colistin against A. baumannii were detected by broth dilution method. Colistin-heteroresistant A. baumannii isolates were screened using population analysis profiles (PAPs). MICs of colistin combined with meropenem, levofloxacin or fosfomycin, and the four drugs used alone against colistin-heteroresistant A. baumannii were detected by checkerboard method and broth dilution method. Fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) was calculated to evaluate antibiotic effects. Results: None of the 576 A. baumannii isolates was resistant to colistin as indicated by the broth dilution method. Nine colistin-heteroresistant A. baumannii isolates were identified using PAPs. Compared with the MICs of colistin used alone, the MICs of colistin used in combination with meropenem, levofloxacin or fosfomycin against colistin-heteroresistant isolates were all decreased. Colistin-meropenem combination showed synergistic (55.6%), additive (33.3%) and indifferent effects (11.1%), but no antagonistic effect. Colistin-levofloxacin combination showed synergistic (55.6%), additive (22.2%) and indifferent effects (22.2%), but no antagonistic effect. Colistin-fosfomycin combination showed synergistic (77.8%) and additive (22.2%) effects, but no indifferent or antagonistic effect. Conclusion In vitro use of colistin in combination with meropenem, levofloxacin or fosfomycin has synergistic and additive antibacterial effects against colistin-heteroresistant A. baumannii. Combinations of colistin-meropenem and colistin-levofloxacin have fewer indifferent effects and no antagonistic effect.

Objective: To investigate the molecular mechanism of colistin resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae (K.pneumoniae). Methods: Three clinical isolates of colistin-resistant K. pneumoniae (FK1149, FK1920 and FK1934) and three colistin-resistant mutants (FK660R, FK713R and FK729R) were investigated. Resistance genes of pmrAB, phoPQ, mgrB, crrAB, mcr-1 and mcr-2 were detected by PCR and then analyzed by sequencing. PROVEAN platform was used to predict changes in the biological functions of proteins related to drug resistance. Expression of pmrH, pmrC, mgrB and phoP genes was measured using quantitative real-time PCR. LPS silver staining and conjugation assay were performed to analyze the three clinical colistin-resistant isolates. Results: Amino acid substitutions in PmrA (G53V), PmrB (T157P, R256G), MgrB (F44C) and CrrB (E189K) were detected. ISkpn14 and IS5-like insertion sequences were detected in FK713R and FK729R, respectively. FK1149, FK1920 and FK1934 were negative for mcr genes. Compared with the wild-type strain, expression of pmrH and pmrC genes at the transcriptional level was increased in all investigated isolates. Changes in the expression of phoP and mgrB genes were also observed. A partial deletion of LPS was identified in FK1149. Conclusion LPS modification induced by inactivation of PmrAB or MgrB is the main molecular mechanism of colistin resistance in K. pneumoniae isolates in this study. Mutations in PmrA (G53V), MgrB (F44C) and CrrB (E189K) that might be related to colistin resistance are detected for the first time in clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae.