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Pseudomonas aeruginosa Coharboring BlaKPC-2 and BlaVIM-2 Carbapenemase Genes

Tatiana Pacheco1, Rosa Helena Bustos-Cruz2, Deisy Abril3

  • 1Grupo Evidencia Terapéutica, Clinical Pharmacology, Universidad de la Sabana, Chía 140013, Colombia. tatianapacpa@unisabana.edu.co.

Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 24, 2019
PubMed

Insights

This study reports five cases of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in Colombia carrying both blaVIM-2 and blaKPC-2 carbapenemase genes. These co-infections pose a significant public health challenge due to limited treatment options.

Area of Science:

  • Clinical microbiology
  • Molecular biology
  • Infectious diseases

Background:

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common hospital-acquired pathogen known for antibiotic resistance.
  • Carbapenem resistance is rising, particularly in extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing organisms, necessitating carbapenems for high-risk infections.
  • Carbapenems are crucial in combating extreme drug resistance in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacilli.

Observation:

  • Five patients in a Colombian hospital presented with infections caused by P. aeruginosa strains harboring both blaVIM-2 and blaKPC-2 carbapenemase genes simultaneously.
  • Molecular characterization involved PCR for various carbapenemase genes (blaKPC, blaGES, blaOXA-48, blaIMP, blaNDM, blaVIM) and other resistance genes.
  • Genomic analysis using Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) was performed to assess genetic relationships between the isolates.

Findings:

  • The simultaneous presence of blaVIM-2 and blaKPC-2 genes in P. aeruginosa strains was identified in five patients.
  • This co-carriage of carbapenemase genes contributes to the bacterium's resistance profile.
  • The study identified specific carbapenemase genes and analyzed the genetic relatedness of the P. aeruginosa strains.

Implications:

  • These co-infections represent a significant public health threat due to the potential for rapid spread.
  • Limited available treatment options for such infections increase the risk of severe illness and death.
  • Effective infection control strategies and surveillance are crucial to manage the spread of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa.
Keywords:
Klebsiella pneumoniae carbepenemase (KPC)Pseudomonas aeruginosaVerona Integron-encoded metallo-β-lactamase (VIM)carbapenemasescarbapenemsdrug resistance

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