Endemic High-Risk Clone ST277 Is Related to the Spread of SPM-1-Producing IPseudomonas aeruginosa/I during the COVID-19 Pandemic Period in Northern Brazil

• Published in: Microorganisms (Basel) 2023-08, Vol.11 (8)
• Main Authors: Dos Santos, Pabllo Antonny Silva, Rodrigues, Yan Corrêa, Marcon, Davi Josué, Lobato, Amália Raiana Fonseca, Cazuza, Thalyta Braga, Gouveia, Maria Isabel Montoril, Silva, Marcos Jessé Abrahão, Souza, Alex Brito, Lima, Luana Nepomuceno Gondim Costa, Quaresma, Ana Judith Pires Garcia, Brasiliense, Danielle Murici, Lima, Karla Valéria Batista
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Beta lactamases; Drug resistance in microorganisms; Genetic aspects; Health aspects; Physiological aspects; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Virulence (Microbiology)
• ISSN: 2076-2607; 2076-2607
• DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11082069

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a high-priority bacterial agent that causes healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs), which often leads to serious infections and poor prognosis in vulnerable patients. Its increasing resistance to antimicrobials, associated with SPM production, is a case of public health concern. Therefore, this study aims to determine the antimicrobial resistance, virulence, and genotyping features of P. aeruginosa strains producing SPM-1 in the Northern region of Brazil. To determine the presence of virulence and resistance genes, the PCR technique was used. For the susceptibility profile of antimicrobials, the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method was performed on Mueller–Hinton agar. The MLST technique was used to define the ST of the isolates. The exoS+/exoU− virulotype was standard for all strains, with the aprA, lasA, toxA, exoS, exoT, and exoY genes as the most prevalent. All the isolates showed an MDR or XDR profile against the six classes of antimicrobials tested. HRC ST277 played a major role in spreading the SPM-1-producing P. aeruginosa strains.