Molecular characterization of carbapenemases in Peru during 2019

Resistance to carbapenems is a public health problem. This study presents the identification of carbapenemase enzymes in Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter spp. present in strains from 30 institutions that provide health services in Peru as part of the quality control process in diagnoses. Phenotypic confirmation and enzymatic identification were performed using the Blue CARBA test and the synergy test with phenylboronic acid and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid/sodium mercaptoacetic acid discs. 185 strains with carbapenemases were identified: 78 in Enterobacteriaceae, 61 in P. aeruginosa and 46 in Acinetobacter spp. The types of carbapenemases identified were: blaKPC, blaNDM, blaIMP, blaVIM, blaOXA-23, blaOXA-24, blaOXA-51 and the blaVIM/IMP co-production. It is important to strengthen the promotion of the rational use of antimicrobials and epidemiological surveillance in the country's hospitals.