Abstract
Carbapenemases in gram-negative bacteria: laboratory detection and clinical significance.
Highlights
Carbapenem resistance in Gram-negative bacteria can be the consequence of the production of a β-lactamase, expression of efflux pumps, porin loss, and alterations in PBPs
Since β-lactams, including carbapenem-like compounds, are natural products of several environmental bacteria and fungi, it is supposed that other bacteria started to produce their intrinsic β-lactamase to give them selective advantage for survival
Several genes encoding different carbapenemases can be found in environmental bacteria like Bacillus anthracis, Serratia fonticola, Pseudomonas cepacia, or Acinetobacter spp. as part of their chromosome [1, 2]
Summary
Carbapenem resistance in Gram-negative bacteria can be the consequence of the production of a β-lactamase, expression of efflux pumps, porin loss, and alterations in PBPs. Several genes encoding different carbapenemases can be found in environmental bacteria like Bacillus anthracis, Serratia fonticola, Pseudomonas cepacia, or Acinetobacter spp. as part of their chromosome [1, 2]. VIM-enzymes (there are more than 30 derivatives) were firstly described in P. aeruginosa but later emerged in Enterobacteriaceae as well and fastly spread over whole Europe, causing outbreaks in many Mediterranean countries (like Greece, Italy, and Turkey).
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