[Emergence of colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Microbiological and epidemiological characterization of the isolates producing and non-producing KPC-type carbapenemase]

Rev Argent Microbiol. 2013 Jul-Sep;45(3):185-90. doi: 10.1016/s0325-7541(13)70023-3.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Sixty-four colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates recovered from clinical specimens from 57 patients admitted to Hospital de Clinicas Jose de San Martin during the period 2010-2012 were studied to describe the microbiological and epidemiological characteristics and factors associated with the emergence of colistin-resistance. Fifty-four colistin-susceptible K. pneumoniae isolates from the same period were also included in the study. The genetic relatedness among the isolates was studied by a PCR assay. Fifty percent of the resistant isolates were KPC-2 producers, 45.3% were ESBL producers and 4.7% only showed resistance to aminopenicilins. All KPC-producers (resistant and susceptible to colistin) were genotipically indistinguishable except for one, whereas the presence of 7 clonal types, which were different from the ones identified in the colistin-susceptible isolates, were detected among ESBL producers. The previous use of colistin was the main factor associated with the acquisition of resistance, and in the case of non-KPC producers the stay in ICU was another significant factor observed. Colistin resistance emerged in our hospital in the year 2010, reaching 3% in nosocomial isolates and maintaining this rate in successive years, due to the selection of resistant subpopulations in the epidemic clonal type in KPC-producers and due to the dispersion of colistin-resistant clonal types in non-KPC producing-isolates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Bacterial Proteins / classification
  • Colistin / pharmacology*
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Klebsiella Infections / epidemiology
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae / drug effects*
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae / enzymology*
  • Male
  • beta-Lactamases / biosynthesis*
  • beta-Lactamases / classification

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • beta-Lactamases
  • carbapenemase
  • Colistin