GENTAMICIN RESISTANCE IN CLINICAL STRAINS OF ENTEROBACTERIACEAE ASSOCIATED WITH REDUCED GENTAMICIN UPTAKE

Seven strains of Enterobacteriaceae resistant to gentamicin obtained a s representatives of the predominant resistance profiles in the clinic al laboratories of Rafeidia and Al-Watani Hospitals in Nablus (Palesti ne) were included. Five strains showed a broad aminoglycoside resistan ce profile but contained no evidence of gentamicin acetylation, adenyl ation, or phosphorylation. Gentamicin uptake in two tested strains was significantly reduced, compared to that of gentamicin-sensitive E. co li (MIC, 05 mu g/mL). These strains are likely resistant due to a rela tive reduction of the amount of gentamicin and other aminoglycosides e ntering the bacterial cell. Two strains showed evidence of adenyltrans ferase ANT(2 '')-I activity.