Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis caused by an epidemic metallo-β-lactamase-producing clone with a heterogeneous carbapenem resistance phenotype

Clin Microbiol Infect. 2011 Aug;17(8):1272-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2011.03466.x. Epub 2011 Mar 7.

Abstract

An epidemic IMP-13 metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa clone, causing infections and even large outbreaks in Italian critical care settings, was detected in a young cystic fibrosis patient. In this patient, the chronic infection was sustained by distinct clonal sub-populations of the MBL-producing P. aeruginosa clone, either susceptible or resistant to carbapenems. These findings underscore the importance of infection prevention practices in cystic fibrosis settings and pose an important diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Carbapenems / pharmacology*
  • Child
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cystic Fibrosis / epidemiology*
  • Cystic Fibrosis / microbiology
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field
  • Epidemics*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Phenotype
  • Pseudomonas Infections / epidemiology*
  • Pseudomonas Infections / microbiology
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / classification
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / enzymology
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / genetics*
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / isolation & purification*
  • beta-Lactam Resistance / genetics*
  • beta-Lactamases / biosynthesis*
  • beta-Lactamases / genetics

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Carbapenems
  • beta-Lactamases