Genetic variability of carbapenemase KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated at different states in Venezuela.

INTRODUCTION

In Venezuela, there have been some reports of carbapenemase KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae. Nevertheless, since the first report in 2008, only a few studies have been done on their molecular epidemiology in this country.

METHODS

The aims of this study were to detect extended-spectrum betalactamase (ESBL)-producing (blaTEM and blaCTM-M-1) and to determine the genetic relationship between 30 isolates of carbapenemase KPC-producing K. pneumoniae taken from patients at eleven health centers in different states of Venezuela from January 2008 to December 2012, using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).

RESULTS

All isolates were identified as K. pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae. Isolates showed the highest resistance to the ertapenem, 97%. The KPC gene was detected in all studied strains. Seventy three percent showed ESBL, having the blaTEM in 68% and blaTEM, CTX-M-1 in 27% of the strains. Eleven groups were found using the field-pulsed gel electrophoresis.

CONCLUSION

High genetic diversity was found during 2008-2012 in K. pneumoniae isolated at different states in Venezuela, some of them circulating at eleven health centers. Results showed the importance of performing epidemiologic studies and the need to develop some activities to control this type of microorganisms.