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Dissemination of IMP-6-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa ST244 in multiple cities in China
1Medical Examination Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China.
Abstract:
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important opportunistic pathogen responsible for nosocomial infections and is currently reported to be a worldwide nosocomial menace. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological traits and the distribution of metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs)-producing P. aeruginosa clinical isolates in ten cities in China between January 2010 and May 2012. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by disc diffusion assay and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of imipenem and meropenem were also determined by the Etest according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. In addition, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing were applied to detect bla MBL genes, and their epidemiological relationships were investigated by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Of 368 P. aeruginosa isolates, MLST analysis identified 138 sequence types (STs), including 122 known and 16 novel STs, and the most frequently detected clone was ST244, followed by ST235. Besides, our study revealed that 25 isolates carried the bla IMP-6 gene and three isolates carried the bla VIM-2 gene, and a probe specific for both genes could be hybridised to an ~1,125-kb fragment in all isolates. Interestingly, all of the bla IMP-6-producing isolates shared an identical ST, ST244, and exhibited a higher level of resistance to several antibiotics. Overall, these observations suggest that P. aeruginosa ST244 carrying the chromosomally located bla IMP-6 gene is widely disseminated in multiple cites in China.
Insights
Metallo-β-lactamase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a nosocomial threat, was studied in China. The ST244 clone carrying the bla IMP-6 gene is widely disseminated, showing increased antibiotic resistance.
Area of Science:
- Clinical microbiology
- Infectious diseases
- Molecular epidemiology
Background:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant opportunistic pathogen causing hospital-acquired infections globally.
- Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) confer resistance to carbapenems, a critical class of antibiotics.
- The spread of MBL-producing P. aeruginosa poses a substantial public health challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of MBL-producing P. aeruginosa clinical isolates in China.
- To determine the prevalence and distribution of specific MBL genes (bla MBLs) in these isolates.
- To analyze the genetic relatedness and antibiotic resistance profiles of the identified clones.
Main Methods:
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing using disc diffusion and Etest.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing for MBL gene detection.
- Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) for epidemiological analysis.
Main Results:
- 138 sequence types (STs) were identified among 368 P. aeruginosa isolates, with ST244 being the most frequent.
- The bla IMP-6 gene was detected in 25 isolates, and bla VIM-2 in three isolates.
- All bla IMP-6-producing isolates belonged to ST244 and displayed higher resistance to multiple antibiotics.
Conclusions:
- The P. aeruginosa ST244 clone, carrying the chromosomally located bla IMP-6 gene, is widely disseminated across multiple cities in China.
- This clone represents a significant threat due to its enhanced antibiotic resistance.
- Continuous surveillance and control measures are crucial to combat the spread of MBL-producing P. aeruginosa.
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