Carbapenemase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from Turkey: first report of P. aeruginosa high-risk clones with VIM-5-and IMP-7-type carbapenemases in a tertiary hospital

We investigated the presence of carbapenemases in carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, which were collected over a 14-month period in a Turkish hospital, with in-depth molecular characterization of carbapenemase-producing isolates. Among 45 study isolates, 2 isolates were identified as carbapenemase producers by both Carba NP and Carbapenem Inactivation Method tests, and only 1 of them gave a positive result in polymerase chain reaction tests for a carbapenemase gene (bla(VIM)). Whole genome sequencing of the 2 isolates revealed the presence of bla(VIM-5) gene in an ST308 isolate, while the other one expressed IMP-7 in an ST357 isolate; both STs are considered high-risk clones. The 2 carbapenemase-producing isolates were multidrug resistant, as they harbored other resistance determinants, including a variant of the recently described plasmid-encoded fluoroquinolone resistance determinant crpP gene, crpP-2. We report for the first time P. aeruginosa high-risk clones carrying VIM-5- and IMP-7-type carbapenemases with multiple resistance determinants in Turkey. (C) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In a Turkish hospital, carbapenemases were investigated in carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. Two high-risk clones were identified, carrying VIM-5 and IMP-7 carbapenemases along with multiple resistance determinants.