Clinical experiences of bacteremia caused by metallo-beta-lactamase-producing gram-negative organisms

The emergence of acquired metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) in gram-negative bacilli is regarded as a therapeutic challenge since such enzymes are capable of hydrolyzing all beta-lactams in vitro except the monobactams. The clinical characteristics and outcome of 8 episodes of gram-negative bacteremia caused by MBL-producing isolates from January 1997 through December 2000 (Klebsiella pneumoniae, 6 isolates; Pseudomonas stutzeri, 4; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 1; and Pseudomonas putida, 1) were analyzed. The median age of the patients was 61 years (range, 2-95 years). Most patients (n = 6, 75%) had more than 1 comorbid illness or condition and 6 patients acquired bacteremia in the intensive care unit. The median time from admission to the first positive culture was 34.5 days (range, 1-99 days). Pneumonia was the most common site of infection. Five patients (62.5%) received a carbapenem to treat bacteremia. The median time to defervescence was 6 days (range, 2-12 days). No bacteriologic failure was noted during or after antimicrobial therapy. The overall mortality rate from bacteremia caused by gram-negative, MBL-producing organisms was nil at 14 or 28 days.