Novel Carbapenemases FLC-1 and IMI-2 Encoded by an Enterobacter cloacae Complex Isolated from Food Products

Abstract

Food for human consumption is screened widely for the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to assess the potential for transfer of resistant bacteria to the general population. Here, we describe an <i>Enterobacter cloacae</i> complex isolated from imported seafood that encodes two carbapenemases on two distinct plasmids. Both enzymes belong to Ambler class A β-lactamases, the previously described IMI-2 and a novel family designated FLC-1. The hydrolytic activity of the novel enzyme against aminopenicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems was determined.