Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae during 2011-12 in the Bolzano area (Northern Italy): increasing diversity in a low-endemicity setting

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2013 Dec;77(4):354-6. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2013.08.029. Epub 2013 Oct 11.

Abstract

The recent (2011-2012) distribution of carbapenemase determinants in Enterobacteriaceae was studied in the Bolzano area (Northern Italy). Low proportions of carbapenemase producers were found for Escherichia coli (0.2%), Citrobacter freundii (1.1%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (1.3%), Klebsiella oxytoca (1.6%) and Enterobacter spp (1.8%). Although VIM-1 remained the most common carbapenemase, the emergence of K. pneumoniae producing KPC-3 and of E. coli producing OXA-48 was observed. Of concern is the spread of the hyperepidemic strains E. coli ST131 producing VIM-1 and K. pneumoniae ST258 producing KPC-3. Low essential and category agreements between the reference broth microdilution and commercial methods were observed for carbapenems.

Keywords: Carbapenemases; Enterobacteriaceae; KPC; OXA-48; VIM.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bacterial Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Enterobacteriaceae / classification
  • Enterobacteriaceae / genetics*
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / epidemiology*
  • Genetic Variation
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Typing
  • Young Adult
  • beta-Lactamases / biosynthesis
  • beta-Lactamases / genetics*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • beta-Lactamases
  • carbapenemase