Emergence and persistence of integron structures harbouring VIM genes in the Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland, 1998-2006

Abstract

MBL gene emergence in this hospital has paralleled a 6-fold increase in carbapenem usage. We have found an increase in MBL gene diversity, MBL host organisms and MBL genetic support structures in the hospital over the 9 year study period. There is also compelling evidence of the persistence of individual strains in the hospital throughout the study period. This suggests that once MBL genes have emerged in a hospital environment, they are difficult to remove.