Previous Article | Next Article 
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, November 2008, p. 4023-4029, Vol. 52, No. 11
0066-4804/08/$08.00+0 doi:10.1128/AAC.00707-08
Copyright © 2008, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
First Countrywide Survey of Acquired Metallo-β-Lactamases in Gram-Negative Pathogens in Italy
Gian Maria Rossolini,1*
Francesco Luzzaro,2
Roberta Migliavacca,3
Claudia Mugnaioli,1
Beatrice Pini,2
Filomena De Luca,1
Mariagrazia Perilli,4
Simona Pollini,1
Melissa Spalla,5
Gianfranco Amicosante,4
Antonio Toniolo,2 and
Laura Pagani3
Dipartimento di Biologia Molecolare, Laboratorio di Fisiologia e Biotecnologie dei Microrganismi, Università di Siena, I-53100 Siena,1 Laboratorio di Microbiologia Ospedale di Circolo, Università dell'Insubria, I-21100 Varese,2 Dipartimento di Scienze Morfologiche, Eidologiche e Cliniche, Sezione di Microbiologia, Università di Pavia, I-27100 Pavia,3 Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biomediche, Università di L'Aquila, I-67100 L'Aquila,4 Servizio Analisi Microbiologiche, Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. S. Matteo, I-27100 Pavia, Italy5
Received 29 May 2008/ Returned for modification 3 July 2008/ Accepted 10 September 2008
Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) can confer resistance to most β-lactams, including carbapenems. Their emergence in gram-negative pathogens is a matter of major concern. Italy was the first European country to report the presence of acquired MBLs in gram-negative pathogens and is one of the countries where MBL producers have been detected repeatedly. Here, we present the results of the first Italian nationwide survey of acquired MBLs in gram-negative pathogens. Of 14,812 consecutive nonreplicate clinical isolates (12,245 Enterobacteriaceae isolates and 2,567 gram-negative nonfermenters) screened for reduced carbapenem susceptibility during a 4-month period (September to December 2004), 30 isolates (28 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, 1 Pseudomonas putida isolate, and 1 Enterobacter cloacae isolate) carried acquired MBL determinants. MBL producers were detected in 10 of 12 cities, with a predominance of VIM-type enzymes over IMP-type enzymes (4:1). Although having an overall low prevalence (1.3%) and significant geographical differences, MBL-producing P. aeruginosa strains appeared to be widespread in Italy, with a notable diversity of clones, enzymes, and integrons carrying MBL gene cassettes.
* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Dipartimento di Biologia Molecolare, Sezione di Microbiologia, Università di Siena, Policlinico Santa Maria alle Scotte, I-53100 Siena, Italy. Phone: 39-0577-233455. Fax: 39-0577-233870. E-mail: rossolini{at}unisi.it
Published ahead of print on 22 September 2008.
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, November 2008, p. 4023-4029, Vol. 52, No. 11
0066-4804/08/$08.00+0 doi:10.1128/AAC.00707-08
Copyright © 2008, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
This article has been cited by other articles:
-
Falcone, M., Mezzatesta, M. L., Perilli, M., Forcella, C., Giordano, A., Cafiso, V., Amicosante, G., Stefani, S., Venditti, M.
(2009). Infections with VIM-1 Metallo-{beta}-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacter cloacae and Their Correlation with Clinical Outcome. J. Clin. Microbiol.
47: 3514-3519
[Abstract] [Full Text] -
Duljasz, W., Gniadkowski, M., Sitter, S., Wojna, A., Jebelean, C.
(2009). First Organisms with Acquired Metallo-{beta}-Lactamases (IMP-13, IMP-22, and VIM-2) Reported in Austria. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother.
53: 2221-2222
[Full Text]
Copyright © 2009 by the American Society for Microbiology. For an alternate route to Journals.ASM.org, visit: http://intl-journals.asm.org | More Info»