Metallo-
beta-lactamase-producing
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MPPA) is an important nosocomial pathogen that shows resistance to all
beta-lactam antibiotics except
monobactams. There are various types of metallo-
beta-lactamases (MBLs) in
carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa including Imipenemase (
IMP), Verona
integron-encoded metallo-
beta-lactamase (VIM), Sao Paulo metallo-
beta-lactamase (SPM),
Germany imipenemase (GIM), New Delhi metallo-
beta-lactamase (NDM), Florence imipenemase (FIM). Each MBL
gene is located on specific genetic
elements including
integrons, transposons,
plasmids, or on the
chromosome, in which they carry
genes encoding determinants of resistance to
carbapenems and other
antibiotics, conferring
multidrug resistance to P. aeruginosa. In addition, these genetic
elements are transferable to other Gram-negative species, increasing the antimicrobial resistance rate and complicating the
treatment of infected
patients. Therefore, it is essential to understand the
epidemiology, resistance mechanism, and molecular characteristics of MPPA for
infection control and prevention of a possible
global health crisis. Here, we highlight the characteristics of MPPA.