title: Spread of integron-associated VIM-type metallo-beta-lactamase genes among imipenem-nonsusceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains in Greek hospitals.
abstract: Fifty-eight imipenem-nonsusceptible (MIC >or= 8 microg/ml) Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated during May 2001 in 15 Greek hospitals were studied. Thirty-six isolates derived from nine hospitals carried VIM-type metallo-beta-lactamase genes, as found by PCR. In 34 isolates, bla(VIM) was associated with class 1 integrons of various sizes. DNA sequencing indicated the presence of bla(VIM-2) gene cassettes in a variety of integron structures. Random amplified polymorphic DNA typing suggested diversity of the bla(VIM)-positive strains. Synergy between 2-mercaptoacetic acid and imipenem indicated carbapenemase activity in 26 bla(VIM)-positive strains.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene & Epidemiology, Medical School, Athens University, Greece.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Giakkoupi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Petrikkos
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Tzouvelekis
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsonas
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Legakis
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Vatopoulos
mesh_terms: D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D006115:Greece; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D015378:Imipenem / Q000494:pharmacology; D032023:Integrons / Q000235:genetics*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D019105:Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D015378:Imipenem; C417264:VIM-1 metallo-beta-lactamase; D001618:beta-Lactamases