Plasmid-mediated imipenem-hydrolyzing enzyme KPC-2 among multiple carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli clones in Israel

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2006 Sep;50(9):3098-101. doi: 10.1128/AAC.00438-06.

Abstract

Carbapenem resistance in Escherichia coli is rare. We report four genetically unrelated carbapenem-resistant E. coli isolates cultured from four patients hospitalized in Tel Aviv Medical Center. PCR, sequencing, and Southern blot analysis identified KPC-2 as the imipenem-hydrolyzing enzyme in all four strains, carried on different plasmids with a possible common origin. This is the first discovery of KPC-2 in E. coli and the first report of this enzyme originating outside the United States.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carbapenems / pharmacology*
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects*
  • Escherichia coli / enzymology
  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Escherichia coli / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Hydrolysis
  • Imipenem / metabolism*
  • Israel
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • beta-Lactam Resistance / genetics
  • beta-Lactamases / genetics*
  • beta-Lactamases / metabolism

Substances

  • Carbapenems
  • Imipenem
  • beta-lactamase KPC-2
  • beta-Lactamases