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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, September 2004, p. 4127-4129, Vol. 42, No. 9
0095-1137/04/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/JCM.42.9.4127-4129.2004
Copyright © 2004, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Isolation of Metronidazole-Resistant Bacteroides fragilis Carrying the nimA Nitroreductase Gene from a Patient in Washington State

Jeffrey M. Schapiro,1,2 Rachna Gupta,2 Eric Stefansson,1 Ferric C. Fang,1,2 and Ajit P. Limaye1,2*

Department of Laboratory Medicine,1 Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington2

Received 8 April 2004/ Returned for modification 17 May 2004/ Accepted 19 May 2004

Members of the Bacteroides fragilis group are among the most common anaerobic bacterial isolates in clinical specimens. Metronidazole, a 5-nitroimidazole, is often used as empirical therapy for anaerobic infections. Susceptibility testing is not routinely performed because of nearly universal susceptibility of Bacteroides spp. to this agent. We report a case of metronidazole-resistant Bacteroides fragilis in the United States and demonstrate the presence of the nimA gene, encoding a nitroreductase previously shown to mediate resistance to 5-nitroimidazole antimicrobial agents in B. fragilis strains from Europe and Africa. Because clinical failures in Bacteroides infections have been associated with the use of inactive antimicrobial agents, clinicians need to be aware of the possibility of metronidazole-resistant B. fragilis strains in the United States and the importance of susceptibility testing in selected situations.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center, Box 357110, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, WA 98195. Phone: (206) 598-6131. Fax: (206) 598-6189. E-mail: limaye{at}u.washington.edu.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, September 2004, p. 4127-4129, Vol. 42, No. 9
0095-1137/04/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/JCM.42.9.4127-4129.2004
Copyright © 2004, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Wexler, H. M. (2007). Bacteroides: the Good, the Bad, and the Nitty-Gritty. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 20: 593-621 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Betriu, C., Culebras, E., Gomez, M., Rodriguez-Avial, I., Picazo, J. J. (2005). In vitro activity of tigecycline against Bacteroides species. J Antimicrob Chemother 56: 349-352 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Lofmark, S., Fang, H., Hedberg, M., Edlund, C. (2005). Inducible Metronidazole Resistance and nim Genes in Clinical Bacteroides fragilis Group Isolates. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 49: 1253-1256 [Abstract] [Full Text]  


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