Two Novel Class I Integron Arrays Containing IMP-18 Metallo-β-Lactamase Gene in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Clinical Isolates from Puerto Rico

Abstract

During a β-lactam resistance surveillance study, 12 IMP-18-positive Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates belonging to 9 different pulsed-field gel electrophoresis groups were identified. In nine isolates, a class I integron with a novel gene array was identified that contained bla(IMP-18) and bla(OXA-224), while in two isolates the class I integron contained bla(IMP-18) and bla(OXA-2) but in a new arrangement. Our findings show the dissemination of two novel class I integrons in P. aeruginosa from different regions of Puerto Rico.