The characteristics of VIM-1-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae from South Africa

Abstract

A study was designed to characterize a carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPSA01) isolated from a patient in Gauteng, South Africa without recent travel outside South Africa. Molecular characterization was done using isoelectric focusing, polymerase chain reaction and sequencing for bla_VIM, bla_IMP, bla_NDM, bla_CTX-Ms, bla_OXAs, bla_TEMs, and bla_SHV, plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinants, multilocus sequencing typing, plasmid replicon typing, and addiction factors. KPSA01 produced VIM-1 and belonged to the newly described sequence type ST569. The plasmid that harboured bla_VIM typed within the narrow host range IncF replicon group, contained the aadA1 gene cassette, and tested positive for the vagCD and ccdAB addiction systems. This is the first report of VIM-1-producing K. pneumoniae outside Europe. It is important that surveillance studies be undertaken in Africa to determine if VIM-1-producing K. pneumoniae are present in significant numbers.

Keywords::

• Klebsiella pneumoniae
• metallo-β-lactamases
• VIM-1
• nosocomial infection
• South Africa

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by research grants from the Calgary Laboratory Services (No. 73-6350).

Declaration of interest: JDDP has previously received research funds from Merck and Astra Zeneca.