First identification of an Escherichia coli clinical isolate producing both metalloβ-lactamase VIM-2 and extended-spectrum β-lactamase IBC-1

Abstract

An Escherichia coli strain with decreased susceptibility to carbapenems was isolated from a hospitalised patient in Athens, Greece. The strain was resistant to all β-lactams, including aztreonam, whereas the MIC of imipenem and meropenem was 0.5 mg/L. A positive EDTA-disk synergy test suggested the production of a metallo-β-lactamase. PCR experiments revealed the presence of the blaVIM-2, blaIBC-1 and blaTEM-1 genes. Resistance to β-lactams was not transferable by conjugation. This is the first report of a clinical isolate of E. coli producing VIM-2, and the first report of the coexistence of blaVIM-2 and blaIBC-1 in a single clinical isolate.