QAC resistance genes in ESBL-producing E. coli isolated from patients with lower respiratory tract infections in the Central Slovenia region—a 21-year surveyHrovat, Katja (Avtor) Čremožnik Zupančič, Jerneja (Avtor) Seme, Katja (Avtor) Ambrožič, Jerneja (Avtor) Escherichia colilower respiratory tractextended-spectrum β-lactamasesresistance geneQAClower respiratory tract samplesBiocidal products prevent the spread of pathogenic microorganisms, including extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC), which is one of the most alarming health problems worldwide. Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are surface-active agents that interact with the cytoplasmic membrane and are widely used in hospitals and food processing environments. A collection of 577 ESBL-EC, isolated from lower respiratory tract (LRT) samples, was screened for QAC resistance genes oqxA; oqxB; qacE∆1; qacE; qacF/H/I; qacG; sugE (p); emrE; mdfA; sugE (c); ydgE; ydgF; and for class 1, 2, and 3 integrons. The prevalence of chromosome-encoded genes ranged from 77 to 100%, while the prevalence of QAC resistance genes encoded on mobile genetic elements (MGEs) was relatively low (0–0.9%), with the exception of qacE∆1 (54.6%). PCR screening detected the presence of class 1 integrons in 36.3% (n = 210) of isolates, which were positively correlated with qacE∆1. More correlations between QAC resistance genes, integrons, sequence type group ST131, and β-lactamase genes were presented. The results of our study confirm the presence of QAC resistance genes and also class 1 integrons commonly found in multidrug-resistant clinical isolates and highlight the potential role of QAC resistance genes in the selection of ESBL-producing E. coli in hospitals.20232023-12-20 16:10:14Članek v reviji153248sl