Heat resistance in extended spectrum beta lactamase producing Escherichia coli may favor environmental survival in a hospital setting.
Nosocomial infections caused by extended spectrum b lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli are a major concern worldwide. There is an urgent need to identify bacterial factors promoting survival and persistence of these organisms in the nosocomial environment. Here, we describe the presence of a gene cluster, containing the Clp ATPase ClpK, within a collection of Danish ESBL producing E. coli isolates. The cluster conferred thermoprotection upon the isolates, and thus might facilitate survival on medical devices exposed to semi high temperatures in a hospital setting.
Research in microbiology