SCREENING FOR 16S RIBOSOMAL RNA METHYLASES (armA, RmtB & RmtC) GENE IN CLINICAL ISOLATES OF ENTEROBACTERIAECEAE FROM A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN SOUTH INDIA

Abstract

Gram-negative bacilli may commonly produce aminoglycoside modifying enzymes. However, any one of these enzymes alone cannot confer resistance to all commonly used aminoglycosides because of their narrower substrate specificities(3,13).But ,the mechanism of resistance mediated by 16S rRNA methylases that methylates residue G1405 is the very high level of resistance to all parenterally formulated aminoglycosides (MIC>128ug/ml) commonly used (16). Screening for 16S rRNA methylase producing organisms has become an essential measure to be taken for epidemiological as well as diagnostic purposes when nosocomial spread of such bacteriae is suspected. Only by early identification of these resistant determinants (armA, rmtB and rmtC) by molecular methods can help us to design appropriate antibiotic and infection-control policies which are necessary to limit the nosocomial spread of these resistance organisms (2).