Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
3361388 | International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents | 2007 | 4 Pages |
Abstract
The evolution of imipenem disk-diffusion susceptibility results of 2652 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and 7596 Escherichia coli isolated during the period 2000-2005 were analysed. Screening for production of metallo-β-lactamases was performed using the EDTA-synergy method. The percentage rate of K. pneumoniae isolates having a zone diameter â¤25 mm increased from 20% in 2000 to 41% in 2005, whereas the respective rate of isolates having a zone diameter â¥30 mm decreased from 48 to 23%. These changes were more evident during 2000-2002, followed in 2003 by the isolation of the first imipenem-resistant strains. Regarding E. coli, a similar decrease was observed (the rates of isolates having a zone diameter â¤25 mm and â¥30 mm changed from 7% and 68% in 2000, to 32% and 36% in 2005, respectively) following the respective changes of K. pneumoniae. A total of 20 K. pneumoniae strains, but no E. coli, were confirmed as metallo-β-lactamase producers. In conclusion, a decrease of the imipenem susceptibility prior to the isolation of the first resistant strains in a tertiary care hospital was detected, as well as differences in this decrease between the two species. These findings indicate that monitoring of the evolution of imipenem susceptibility in real-time may help in unveiling forthcoming resistance and in implementing the appropriate diagnostic techniques.
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Authors
Joseph Papaparaskevas, Angeliki Pantazatou, Ioanna Stefanou, Victoria Mela, Nikolaos Galatidis, Athina Avlamis,