Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2025

Demonstrating a Multi-drug Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Amplification Microarray

Demonstrating a Multi-drug Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Amplification Microarray

Published on: April 25, 2014

The Detection of Extensively Drug-Resistant Proteus mirabilis Strains Harboring Both VIM-4 and VIM-75

Moritz Fritzenwanker^1,2, Jane Falgenhauer^1,3, Torsten Hain^1,2

¹Institute of Medical Microbiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstrasse 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany.

|February 26, 2025

Abstract:

Proteus mirabilis is a well-known opportunistic pathogen predominantly associated with urinary tract infections. It exhibits natural resistance to multiple antibiotics, including last-resort options like colistin. The emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant P. mirabilis isolates, including those producing ESBLs, AmpC cephalosporinases, and carbapenemases, are now more frequently reported. The most common carbapenemase types found in P. mirabilis are KPC-2, IMP, VIM, NDM, and OXA-48. We sequenced the genomes of three carbapenem-resistant P. mirabilis isolates harboring both bla_VIM-4 and bla_VIM-75 from Germany using both short-read and long-read sequencing techniques. We found that the isolates were only distantly related genetically. Both bla_VIM-4 and bla_VIM-75 genes were located on a class I integron, which in two cases was located on the chromosome and in one case on a plasmid. This is the first report on the complete genomes of P. mirabilis strains harboring a rare genetic element encoding both bla_VIM-4 and bla_VIM-75. Our results emphasize a key role for class 1 integrons in the transmission of VIM carbapenemases in P. mirabilis.

Insights

Multidrug-resistant Proteus mirabilis strains carrying rare VIM carbapenemase genes were sequenced. Class 1 integrons play a key role in transmitting these resistance genes in P. mirabilis.

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Genomics
Infectious Diseases

Background:

Proteus mirabilis is an opportunistic pathogen causing urinary tract infections.
P. mirabilis exhibits natural resistance to many antibiotics, with increasing reports of multidrug-resistant strains.
Carbapenemases like KPC-2, IMP, VIM, NDM, and OXA-48 are found in P. mirabilis.

Purpose of the Study:

To sequence and analyze the complete genomes of carbapenem-resistant P. mirabilis isolates.
To investigate the genetic elements responsible for the co-carriage of blaVIM-4 and blaVIM-75 genes.
To understand the role of integrons in the dissemination of VIM carbapenemases in P. mirabilis.

Main Methods:

Whole-genome sequencing using both short-read and long-read technologies.
Comparative genomic analysis of three P. mirabilis isolates from Germany.
Identification and characterization of carbapenemase genes and their genetic context.

Main Results:

Three genetically distinct P. mirabilis isolates harbored both blaVIM-4 and blaVIM-75 genes.
Both blaVIM genes were located on a class 1 integron.
The class 1 integron was found on the chromosome in two isolates and on a plasmid in one isolate.

Conclusions:

This is the first report detailing the complete genomes of P. mirabilis strains with the rare blaVIM-4 and blaVIM-75 genetic element.
Class 1 integrons are crucial for the transmission of VIM carbapenemases within P. mirabilis populations.
The findings highlight the importance of monitoring carbapenem resistance mechanisms in P. mirabilis.

Read full analysis

Keywords:

Proteus mirabilis VIM-75 and VIM-4 carbapenemases multi-drug-resistance plasmid

More Related Videos

Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes

Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes

Published on: March 3, 2023

Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria

Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria

Published on: May 8, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Tuberculosis V

Pulmonary Tuberculosis V

Medical management of tuberculosis (TB) patients involves a comprehensive approach that includes diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. The specific strategies can vary depending on the type of tuberculosis (latent or active), the patient's overall health status, and other considerations.
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...

Antibiotic Selection

Antibiotic Selection

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Tracking Clostridioides difficile in Germany: Active prospective surveillance progress and molecular epidemiological trends.

International journal of medical microbiology : IJMM·2026

Sonication versus peri-implant tissue culture in fracture-related infection: diagnostic performance and therapeutic consequences in a single-center cohort.

Journal of bone and joint infection·2026

Preventive intrapulmonary treatment with Ligilactobacillus murinus reduces airway inflammation and mucus plugging in mice with cystic fibrosis-like lung disease.

ERJ open research·2026

Impact of seasons and heat waves on the incidence of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteremia - A prospective multicenter study using biometeorological data.

PloS one·2026

Interaction of Listeria monocytogenes with the human choroid plexus endothelium in vitro: impact on invasion of the epithelium.

Human cell·2026

Presence of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in different types of human urinary tract infections (UTI). A pilot study.

Frontiers in immunology·2026

See all related articles