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Molecular characterization of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa from four hospitals of Venezuela

Abstract:

We analyzed 17 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to carbapenems isolated in four hospitals in eastern and southern Venezuela collected between 2007 and 2010. Combined disk method showed production of metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) in all strains. PCR and sequencing of genes encoding IMP, VIM and SPM metallo-β-lactamase families confirmed the presence of VIM-2 MBL in all strains. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis classified the strains into three similarity groups. The largest group, group A included 13 strains with over 83% similarity between them and was found in four hospitals. Two strains of Cumana hospital formed the group B and other two the Group C with similitary of 73% and 65% respectively with Group A. These results confirmed that hospitals in eastern and southern Venezuela, circulating strains of P. aeruginosa producing VIM-2 type MBLs with a common clonal origin. On the other hand, carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa circulating in Cumana city hospital had polyclonal origin.