Detection of KPC gene in Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii during a PCR-based nosocomial surveillance study in Puerto Rico.

ABSTRACT

A six-month, PCR-based, island-wide, hospital surveillance study of beta-lactam resistance in E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii was conducted in Puerto Rico. Of 10,507 isolates, 1,239 (12%) unique, multi-beta-lactam resistant isolates were identified from all geographical regions. The KPC gene was detected in 61 E. coli, 333 K. pneumoniae, 99 P. aeruginosa and 41 A. baumannii, indicating the widespread dissemination of the KPC gene in clinically significant nosocomial isolates.