Cephalosporinase over-expression resulting from insertion of ISAba1 in Acinetobacter baumannii

ABSTRACTISAba1-like sequences were identified immediately upstream of the blaampC gene in ceftazidime-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates, but were absent in ceftazidime-susceptible A. baumannii isolates. AmpC over-expression resulted from insertion of ISAba1-like sequences upstream of blaampC. ISAba1 provided strong promoter sequences, and it was demonstrated that the change in the ribosome binding site sequence resulting from insertion of ISAba1 did not influence expression of the blaampC gene. Sequence analysis revealed that AmpC sequences of A. baumannii isolates were almost identical and that ISAba1 elements had a high percentage of identity.