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A carbapenem-susceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain carrying the bla(SPM) gene

Flávia L P C Pellegrino1, Nicola Casali, Simone A Nouér

  • 1Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease
|March 1, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Carbapenem-susceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa can carry the bla(SPM) gene, potentially acting as silent reservoirs. This finding highlights the need for surveillance of carbapenemase genes in non-resistant bacterial isolates.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen.
  • Carbapenem resistance in P. aeruginosa is a significant public health concern.
  • Metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs) are a class of carbapenemases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and implications of the bla(SPM) gene in carbapenem-susceptible P. aeruginosa.
  • To determine if carbapenem-susceptible isolates can harbor carbapenemase genes.

Main Methods:

  • Whole-genome sequencing of P. aeruginosa isolates.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
  • Detection of beta-lactamase genes.

Main Results:

  • A carbapenem-susceptible P. aeruginosa strain was found to carry the bla(SPM) gene.
  • The bla(SPM) gene sequence was identical to those found in carbapenem-resistant isolates.
  • The isolate did not produce carbapenemase despite carrying the gene.

Conclusions:

  • Carbapenem-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates can be silent carriers of the bla(SPM) gene.
  • These isolates may pose a risk for the dissemination of carbapenem resistance.
  • Enhanced surveillance strategies are needed to detect carbapenemase genes in non-resistant bacteria.

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