Class I integron-borne bla(VIM-1) carbapenemase in a strain of Enterobacter cloacae responsible for a case of fatal pneumonia

Microb Drug Resist. 2008 Mar;14(1):45-7. doi: 10.1089/mdr.2008.0765.

Abstract

We report here a fatal case of nosocomial pneumonia due to a multidrug-resistant (MDR) strain of Enterobacter cloacae, which was also resistant to carbapenems, in a patient with a diagnosis of Churg-Strauss syndrome. The microorganism was investigated for the presence of metallo- and extended-spectrum beta-lactamases. The strain produced two class 1 integrons carrying bla(VIM-1) and aadA2 gene cassettes located on chromosomal and plasmidic DNA, respectively, and a plasmid-encoded SHV-12 extended-spectrum beta-lactamase. Our results clearly demonstrate the transfer of this kind of resistance in E. cloacae with potentially serious clinical implications.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Churg-Strauss Syndrome / complications
  • Cross Infection / complications
  • Cross Infection / drug therapy
  • Cross Infection / microbiology
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
  • Enterobacter cloacae / enzymology*
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / complications
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / drug therapy
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / microbiology*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Integrons*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / complications
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / microbiology*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • beta-Lactam Resistance*
  • beta-Lactamases / genetics*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • beta-Lactamases
  • carbapenemase