First detection of metallo-beta-lactamase VIM-2 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from Colombia

Carbapenem resistance rates in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates in Colombia, as in many South American countries, are high for reasons that remain unclear. From our nationwide network, we describe the first detection of the metallo-beta-lactamase VIM-2 in clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa from multiple cities within Colombia. Metallo-beta-lactamases were not detected in the two centers with the highest imipenem resistance rates. Clonality was noted in five of the eight centers with strains meeting the criteria for molecular typing. The high carbapenem resistance in P. aeruginosa in Colombia may be attributable to a combination of factors, including the presence of metallo-beta-lactamases and nosocomial transmission.