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Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
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VIM- and IMP-type metallo-beta-lactamase-producing Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter spp. in Korean hospitals

Kyungwon Lee1, Wee Gyo Lee, Young Uh

  • 1Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|August 2, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL)-producing Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter bacteria were found in Korean hospitals. These MBL-producing bacteria, carrying blaVIM-2 or blaIMP-1 alleles, were detected in over 60% of surveyed facilities.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs) are enzymes that confer resistance to a wide range of beta-lactam antibiotics.
  • The emergence and spread of MBL-producing bacteria pose a significant threat to public health.
  • Surveillance of MBL-producing bacteria is crucial for infection control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of acquired metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL)-producing bacteria in Korean hospitals.
  • To identify the specific MBL genes (blaVIM-2 or blaIMP-1) present in these resistant isolates.

Main Methods:

  • Isolates nonsusceptible to imipenem were collected from 28 Korean hospitals between 2000 and 2001.
  • Prevalence of MBL-producing Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter spp. was determined.
  • Molecular methods were used to identify MBL genes (blaVIM-2, blaIMP-1).

Main Results:

  • Out of 387 Pseudomonas spp. isolates, 44 (11.4%) produced MBLs with blaVIM-2 or blaIMP-1 alleles.
  • Out of 267 Acinetobacter spp. isolates, 38 (14.2%) produced MBLs with blaVIM-2 or blaIMP-1 alleles.
  • MBL-producing isolates were identified in 60.7% of the participating hospitals.

Conclusions:

  • Acquired MBL-producing Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter species were prevalent in Korean hospitals during 2000-2001.
  • The presence of blaVIM-2 and blaIMP-1 alleles indicates a significant level of antimicrobial resistance.
  • These findings highlight the need for enhanced surveillance and infection control strategies against MBL-producing bacteria in healthcare settings.

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