Characterization of an epidemic carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa producing SPM-1 metallo-beta-lactamase in a hospital located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Metallo-beta-lactamase production is emerging worldwide as an important mechanism of carbapenem resistance among nonfermentative Gram-negative isolates, and this mechanism is becoming frequently observed in Brazil. This study documents the occurrence and characteristics of an epidemic SPM-1-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain in a teaching hospital located in Rio de Janeiro City, Brazil. The bla (SPM-1) gene and a class 1 integron were detected in 13 isolates, representing 20% of the 65 imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates obtained from January, 2000, to August, 2001. DNA sequencing revealed that this integron carries three gene cassettes that confer resistance to antimicrobials, aacA4, bla (OXA-56), and aadA7, and an orf1 encoding a putative transposase. All 13 SPM-producing P. aeruginosa isolates had closely related pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles, designated as clonal group A, suggesting nosocomial spread of the strain. This clonal group was the same as that observed in other SPM-1-producing P. aeruginosa isolates from distinct Brazilian states. The dissemination of this clone throughout Brazil could not be explained by transfer of infected patients and/or sharing of common health-care staff. It is likely that the spread of these strains occurred indirectly via the community.
Carvalho
Ana Paula D'Alincourt
AP
Departamento de Microbiologia Médica, Instituto de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-590, Brazil. nipa@terra.com.br
Albano
Rodolpho Mattos
RM
de Oliveira
Denise Neves
DN
Cidade
Daniela Anhel de Paula
DA
Teixeira
Lúcia Martins
LM
Marques
Elizabeth de Andrade
Ede A
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D015780:Carbapenems / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D032023:Integrons; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000235:genetics*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015780:Carbapenems; C476155:beta-lactamase SPM-1, Pseudomonas aeruginosa; D001618:beta-Lactamases