Verona integron encoded metallo Beta lactamase (VIM) and Vietnam extended spectrum Beta lactamase (VEB) producing Pseudomonas balearica from a clinical specimen

Abstract

Pseudomonas balearica, a saprophyte found in marshy and marine habitats, is not routinely differentiated from P. aeruginosa and P. stutzeri using automated systems and hence has not been reported from clinical samples. This study describes the identification of P. balearica using MALDI-TOF-MS and 16S rDNA sequence from a patient admitted to an intensive care unit (I.C.U.). The isolate was found to be Verona integron-mediated Metallo-Beta-lactamase (V.I.M.), and Vietnam extended-spectrum Beta-lactamase (V.E.B.) producer and resistant to Ceftriaxone, Imipenem, and Tobramycin. P. balearica can be a source for horizontal transfer of blaVEB and blaVIM. Its pathogenesis has yet to be understood. Continue...

Comparative genomics of Stutzerimonas balearica (Pseudomonas balearica): diversity, habitats, and biodegradation of aromatic compounds

“…Meanwhile, 13 strains were associated with plants, one with fungal spores, seven with animals and, interestingly, three were derived from human samples, one from the skin of a healthy individual and two from clinical samples. Indeed, a recent study reported a clinical carbapenem-resistant S. balearica strain isolated from a tracheal aspirate and carrying a VIM metallo-β-lactamase ( Uddin et al, 2022 ). This suggests that potential of S. balearica to cause opportunistic infections and to carry relevant antimicrobial-resistance factors should not be disregarded, especially considering that rapid phenotypic identification methods often misidentify S. balearica strains as S. stutzeri ( Uddin et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Indeed, a recent study reported a clinical carbapenem-resistant S. balearica strain isolated from a tracheal aspirate and carrying a VIM metallo-β-lactamase ( Uddin et al, 2022 ). This suggests that potential of S. balearica to cause opportunistic infections and to carry relevant antimicrobial-resistance factors should not be disregarded, especially considering that rapid phenotypic identification methods often misidentify S. balearica strains as S. stutzeri ( Uddin et al, 2022 ). Indeed, S. stutzeri is often isolated from clinical samples ( Köse et al, 2004 ; Sader and Jones, 2005 ; Scotta et al, 2012 ; Mulet et al, 2017 ), which highlights the importance of accurate species and phylogenomic species identification in the clinics.…”

“…This could be expected as none of the 18 genome sequences is derived from an environment with apparent high antibiotic selective pressure. However, the natural transformation capacity reported for multiple members of Stutzerimonas and related species ( Carlson et al, 1983 ; Lorenz and Sikorski, 2000 ), could potentially facilitate the acquisition of antibiotic resistance genes when exposed to antibiotic pressure, such as the reported VIM metallo-β-lactamase in a S. balearica clinical isolate ( Uddin et al, 2022 ). Indeed, genes codifying for type IV pili components, which are essential for natural genetic transformation ( Graupner et al, 2000 , 2001 ), were found in all genome sequences ( Supplementary Table 4 ).…”

“…These observations make S. balearica a species of interest for bioremediation of areas polluted with recalcitrant compounds, such as aromatic hydrocarbons, some of which are among the most prevalent and persistent pollutants in the environment and are listed in the top 10 of the Substance Priority List of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry [ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences, 2019 ]. However, the heterogeneity of the former P. stutzeri group (also known as P. stutzeri complex) ( Mulet et al, 2010 ), and the limited discriminatory power of the 16S rRNA gene, have frequently resulted in misclassifications and in strains not being identified at the species level ( Lalucat et al, 2006 ; Gomila et al, 2022 ; Li et al, 2022 ; Uddin et al, 2022 ). For instance, routine protocols for identification, such as commercial API strips (BioMérieux, France), identify S. balearica strains as S. stutzeri ( Uddin et al, 2022 ).…”

“…However, the heterogeneity of the former P. stutzeri group (also known as P. stutzeri complex) ( Mulet et al, 2010 ), and the limited discriminatory power of the 16S rRNA gene, have frequently resulted in misclassifications and in strains not being identified at the species level ( Lalucat et al, 2006 ; Gomila et al, 2022 ; Li et al, 2022 ; Uddin et al, 2022 ). For instance, routine protocols for identification, such as commercial API strips (BioMérieux, France), identify S. balearica strains as S. stutzeri ( Uddin et al, 2022 ). This may result in S. balearica strains not being detected or being misidentified.…”