Transfer of KPC-2 carbapenemase from Klebsiella pneumoniae to Enterobacter cloacae in a patient receiving meropenem therapy

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2017 Jul;88(3):287-289. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2017.04.004. Epub 2017 Apr 12.

Abstract

The horizontal transfer of a plasmid bearing the blaKPC-2 gene from K. pneumoniae to E. cloacae infecting the respiratory tract of a patient during meropenem therapy was elucidated. This finding is particularly worrisome, since these drugs are of last resort for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens.

Keywords: Enterobacter cloacae; Horizontal gene transfer; Klebsiella pneumoniae; Plasmid; bla(KPC-2).

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Enterobacter cloacae / genetics*
  • Gene Transfer, Horizontal*
  • Genes, Bacterial
  • Humans
  • Klebsiella Infections / drug therapy*
  • Klebsiella Infections / microbiology
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae / genetics*
  • Male
  • Meropenem
  • Middle Aged
  • Plasmids / analysis
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / drug therapy
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / microbiology
  • Thienamycins / therapeutic use*
  • beta-Lactamases / genetics*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Thienamycins
  • beta-lactamase KPC-2
  • beta-Lactamases
  • Meropenem