Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology of Multidrug-Resistant <i>P</i>. <i>aeruginosa</i> Carrying <i>aac(6')-Ib-cr</i>, <i>qnrS1</i> and <i>bla</i><sub>SPM</sub> Genes in Brazil
<div><p>We described a comprehensive analysis of the molecular epidemiology of multidrug-resistant (MDR) <i>P</i>. <i>aeruginosa</i>. Molecular analysis included typing by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis, identification of genes of interest through PCR-based assays and sequencing of target genes. Case-control study was conducted to better understand the prognostic of patients and the impact of inappropriate therapy in patients with bacteremia, as well as the risk factors of MDR infections. We observed a high rate of MDR isolates (40.7%), and 51.0% of them was independently associated with inappropriate antibiotic therapy. Bacteremia was detected in 66.9% of patients, and prolonged hospital stay was expressive in those resistant to fluoroquinolone. Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes (PMQR), <i>qnrS</i><sub><i>1</i></sub> and <i>aac(6’)Ib-cr</i>, were detected in two different nosocomial isolates (5.3%), and the <i>aac(6’)-Ib</i><sub><i>7</i></sub> variant was detected at a high frequency (87.5%) in those negative to PMQR. The presence of mutations in <i>gyrA</i> and <i>parC</i> genes was observed in 100% and 85% of selected isolates, respectively. Isolates harboring PMQR genes or mutations in <i>gyrA</i> and <i>parC</i> were not closely related, except in those containing SPM (São Paulo metallo-β-lactamase) clone. In addition, there is no study published in Brazil to date reporting the presence of <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> isolates harboring both <i>qnrS</i><sub><i>1</i></sub> and <i>aac(6’)Ib-cr</i> genes, with alarming frequency of patients with inappropriate therapy.</p></div
