TY - JOUR T1 - Identification of four different metallo-β-lactamases, IMP-1, IMP-7, IMP-19 and VIM-2, in Japanese general hospitals JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 38 IS - Suppl 55 SP - p2547 AU - Naohiro Shibata AU - Hiroyuki Ohbayashi Y1 - 2011/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p2547.abstract N2 - Background: Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) are bacterial enzymes that hydrolyze carbapems. MBL-producing gram-negative bacilli have been emerging worldwide. In this study, different MBLs were identified in various lung diseases in the japanese clinical hospitals.Methods: From Jan. 2009 to Dec. 2010, 1618 GNB strains were submitted to the laboratory of 6 general hospitals in Aichi prefecture. Strains demonstrating a high level ceftazidime resistance (MIC, >128 mg/ml) were subjected to a screening test for MBL production by using disks containing an MBL inhibitor, sodium mercaptoacetic acid (SMA). PCR and sequencing analyses were performed to confirm the types of MBLs and integrases using primers specific for each gene.Results: Fifty-three strains (34 Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 11 P. putida and 8 Acinetobacter baumannii) were isolated from elderly patients in various wards. These strains were isolated from various respiratory specimens (sputum, pus). By PCR analyses, 35 IMP-1 producers (26 P. aeruginosa and 9 P. putida), 8 IMP-7 producers (8 P. aeruginosa), 4 VIM-2 producers (4 P. putida) and 8 IMP-19 producers (8 A. baumannii) were found. Three IMP-1 and 2 VIM-2 producers were isolated in the same hospital. All MBL genes identified in this study were mediated by class 1 integron.Discussion: In this study, four different MBLs were identified in 6 general hospitals. This may owe to excessive use of broad-spectrum β-lactams including cephamycins and carbapenems. Thus, prudent use of antimicrobial agents with broad-spectrum and daily surveillance of multi-drug-resistant strains would be necessary to prevent further transmission of this kind of super microbes. ER -