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Updated: Oct 31, 2025
Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Published on: March 3, 2023
Molecular characterization of carbapenemases in Peru during 2019
Maritza Miriam Mayta-Barrios1, Juan José Ramirez-Illescas1, Luis Pampa-Espinoza2
1Laboratorio de Referencia Nacional de Infecciones Intrahospitalarias, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Lima, Perú.
Abstract:
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.
Insights
Carbapenemase-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas, and Acinetobacter strains were identified in Peruvian hospitals. This highlights the urgent need for antimicrobial stewardship and surveillance to combat resistance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Carbapenem resistance poses a significant global public health threat.
- Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp., and Acinetobacter spp. are common causes of healthcare-associated infections.
- Effective diagnostic methods are crucial for controlling the spread of resistant pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify carbapenemase-producing bacteria in clinical isolates from healthcare institutions in Peru.
- To characterize the types of carbapenemases present in these resistant strains.
- To inform strategies for antimicrobial resistance control in Peru.
Main Methods:
- Phenotypic confirmation of carbapenemase activity using the Blue CARBA test.
- Enzymatic identification of carbapenemases using synergy testing with specific inhibitors (phenylboronic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid/sodium mercaptoacetic acid discs).
- Analysis of bacterial isolates from 30 healthcare institutions in Peru.
Main Results:
- 185 carbapenemase-producing strains were identified.
- Carbapenemases were detected in 78 Enterobacteriaceae, 61 P. aeruginosa, and 46 Acinetobacter spp. isolates.
- Identified carbapenemase genes included blaKPC, blaNDM, blaIMP, blaVIM, blaOXA-23, blaOXA-24, blaOXA-51, and blaVIM/IMP co-production.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms the presence of diverse carbapenemases in key bacterial pathogens in Peru.
- Findings underscore the critical need to enhance antimicrobial use policies and surveillance systems.
- Strengthening hospital infection control and antimicrobial stewardship programs is essential to mitigate resistance spread.
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