Infect Chemother.  2015 Jun;47(2):81-97. 10.3947/ic.2015.47.2.81.

Epidemiology and Characteristics of Metallo-beta-Lactamase-Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa

• Hong DJ
• Bae IK
• Jang IH
• Jeong SH
• Kang HK
• Lee K

• KMID: 2068992
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3947/ic.2015.47.2.81

Abstract

Metallo-beta-lactamase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MPPA) is an important nosocomial pathogen that shows resistance to all beta-lactam antibiotics except monobactams. There are various types of metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs) in carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa including Imipenemase (IMP), Verona integron-encoded metallo-beta-lactamase (VIM), Sao Paulo metallo-beta-lactamase (SPM), Germany imipenemase (GIM), New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM), Florence imipenemase (FIM). Each MBL gene is located on specific genetic elements including integrons, transposons, plasmids, or on the chromosome, in which they carry genes encoding determinants of resistance to carbapenems and other antibiotics, conferring multidrug resistance to P. aeruginosa. In addition, these genetic elements are transferable to other Gram-negative species, increasing the antimicrobial resistance rate and complicating the treatment of infected patients. Therefore, it is essential to understand the epidemiology, resistance mechanism, and molecular characteristics of MPPA for infection control and prevention of a possible global health crisis. Here, we highlight the characteristics of MPPA.

Keyword

Metallo-beta-lactamase; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Carbapenem; Epidemiology; Multidrug resistance

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Carbapenems
Drug Resistance, Multiple
Epidemiology*
Germany
Humans
Infection Control
Integrons
Monobactams
Plasmids
Pseudomonas aeruginosa*
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Carbapenems
Monobactams