INCF plasmids responsible by dissemination of blaKPC gene among enterobacteriaceae (original) (raw)

In recent years, carbapenem resistance has emerged among Enterobacteriaceae, notably through Klebsiella pneumoniae producing KPC carbapenemase. This study characterizes the genetic elements facilitating the mobilization and dissemination of the blaKPC gene. A total of 22 isolates (20 K. pneumoniae, 1 Escherichia coli, and 1 Enterobacter aerogenes) were analyzed from a university hospital in Lisbon, Portugal. Results showed varied MIC values for imipenem and meropenem, with all isolates encoding KPC-3. Plasmid analysis revealed the predominance of IncF group plasmids, indicating their pivotal role in the interspecies transfer of the blaKPC gene and associated resistance.