Detection of the KPC Gene in Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii during a PCR-Based Nosocomial Surveillance Study in Puerto Rico

Abstract

ABSTRACTA 6-month, PCR-based, island-wide hospital surveillance study of beta-lactam resistance inEscherichia coli,Klebsiella pneumoniae,Pseudomonas aeruginosa, andAcinetobacter baumanniiwas conducted in Puerto Rico. Of 10,507 isolates, 1,239 (12%) unique, multi-beta-lactam-resistant isolates from all geographical regions were identified. The KPC gene was detected in 61E. coli, 333K. pneumoniae, 99P. aeruginosa, and 41A. baumanniiisolates, indicating the widespread dissemination of the KPC gene in clinically significant nosocomial isolates.