Emergence of Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates producing KPC‐2 carbapenemase in Cuba. Issue 4 (26th June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Quiñones, D.; Hart, M.; Espinosa, F.; Garcia, S.; Carmona, Y.; Ghosh, S.; Urushibara, N.; Kawaguchiya, M.; Kobayashi, N.
• Is Part Of: New microbes and new infections. Volume 2:Issue 4(2014)
• Page Start: 123
• Page End: 126
• Publication Date: 2014-06-26
• Subjects: Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; 616.9041
• DOI: 10.1002/nmi2.54
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2052-2975

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="nmi254-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The emergence of <italic>Klebsiella pneumoniae</italic> producing carbapenemase (KPC) has now become a global concern. As a part of a nationwide multicentre surveillance study in Cuba, three <italic>K. pneumoniae</italic> clinical isolates resistant to carbapenems were detected for a 1‐month period (September to October 2011). PCR and sequence analysis revealed that the three strains harboured <italic>bla</italic><sub>KPC‐2</sub>. They showed resistance or intermediate susceptibility to expanded‐spectrum cephalosporins, other β‐lactams, a β‐lactam/β‐lactamase inhibitor combination, and gentamicin. Two strains were susceptible only to colistin, whereas the other strain showing colistin resistance was susceptible to fluoroquinolones. These <italic>bla</italic><sub>KPC</sub><sub>‐2</sub>‐positive <italic>K. pneumoniae</italic> strains were classified into ST1271 (CC29), a novel clone harbouring <italic>bla</italic><sub>KPC</sub><sub>‐2</sub>, and were revealed to be genetically identical by PCR‐based DNA fingerprinting. The three patients infected with the KPC‐producing <italic>K. pneumoniae</italic> had common risk factors, and had no overseas travel experience outside Cuba, suggesting local acquisition of the resistant pathogen. This is the first report of a KPC‐producing <italic>K. pneumoniae</italic> in Cuba. Although detection of KPC in Enterobacteriaceae is still rare in Cuba, our finding indicated that KPC‐producing bacteria are a global concern and highlighted the need to identify these microorganisms in clinical laboratories.</p> </abstract>