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KPC-2 producing Pseudomonas putida as an unexpected pathogen of catheter-associated bloodstream infection
Raiane Cardoso Chamon1, Jaqueline Abel da Rocha2, Isabella Araujo Martins3
1Pathology Department, Medical School of Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. raianechamon@gmail.com.
Abstract:
Infections due to multidrug resistant Gram-negative pathogens are of great concern worldwide, as they are frequently associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. The occurrence of Pseudomonas spp. producing Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases (KPCs) imposes a great challenge through treatment course of bloodstream infections (BSIs). Pseudomonas putida has been recognized as an emerging pathogen of healthcare associated infections (HAIs). Therefore, we aimed to report a case of a non-fatal case of peripheral line associated BSI (PLA-BSI) in an immunocompromised host due to P. putida harboring blaKPC-2 gene in Brazil. A P. putida isolate was recovered from a blood culture of a 72-year-old man admitted at a University Hospital, identified by BD Phoenix™ 100 (Becton, Dickinson and Company), causing PLA-BSI. The species identification was confirmed by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and resistance to carbapenems were confirmed by Epsilometer test (E-test®). Additionally, the presence of important carbapenemases genes (blaKPC, blaNDM, blaOXA-48-like, blaSPM, blaIMP, blaVIM) was investigated by Polymerase Chain Reaction. The bacterial isolate was confirmed as meropenem resistant P. putida harboring blaKPC-2 gene.Thereofre, these fidings suggest that P. putida can work as a reservoir for resistance genes as this bacterium has the ability to disseminate through water-fluids inside hospital and community settings. Moreover, this paper highlights that a frequent and worldwide disseminated mechanism of resistance (blaKPC-2) is currently occurring among uncommon agents of BSI.
Insights
Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas putida carrying the blaKPC-2 gene caused a bloodstream infection in an immunocompromised patient. This highlights P. putida as a potential reservoir for carbapenemase genes, posing a significant public health threat.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens, particularly carbapenemase-producing strains, represent a critical global health challenge.
- Pseudomonas putida is an emerging cause of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), and its role in bloodstream infections (BSIs) is increasingly recognized.
Observation:
- A case of peripheral line-associated bloodstream infection (PLA-BSI) in an immunocompromised patient in Brazil was caused by Pseudomonas putida.
- The P. putida isolate was identified using BD Phoenix™ 100 and confirmed with MALDI-TOF MS.
- The isolate exhibited resistance to carbapenems, confirmed by E-test®, and harbored the blaKPC-2 gene, identified via Polymerase Chain Reaction.
Findings:
- The study identified a meropenem-resistant P. putida strain possessing the blaKPC-2 carbapenemase gene.
- This represents an uncommon agent of BSI carrying a prevalent resistance mechanism.
Implications:
- These findings suggest that P. putida can act as a reservoir and disseminator of carbapenem resistance genes within hospital and community environments.
- The study underscores the need for vigilance regarding the emergence of carbapenemase-producing P. putida in bloodstream infections, especially in vulnerable patient populations.
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