Emergence of aph(3’)-VI and accumulation of aminoglycoside modifying enzyme genes in KPC-2-possessing Enterobacter aerogenes isolates from infections and colonization in patients from Recife-PE, Brazil

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

The objective of this study was to characterize genes of aminoglycoside modifying enzymes (AMEs) in colonizing and infecting isolates of E. aerogenes harboring bla _KPC from patients at a public hospital in Recife-PE, Brazil.

METHODS:

We analyzed 29 E. aerogenes clinical isolates resistant to aminoglycosides. AMEs genes were investigated by PCR and sequencing.

RESULTS:

Colonizing and infecting isolates mainly presented the genetic profiles aac(3)-IIa/aph(3’)-VI or ant(2”)-IIa/aph(3’)-VI. This is the first report of aph(3’)-VI in E. aerogenes harboring bla _KPC in Brazil.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results highlight the importance in establishing rigorous methods for the surveillance of resistance genes, especially in colonized patients.

Keywords:
Enterobacter aerogenes; Aminoglycoside modifying enzymes; Antimicrobial resistance; KPC