Detection of the KPC Gene in Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii during a PCR-Based Nosocomial Surveillance Study in Puerto Rico

Abstract
A 6-month, PCR-based, island-wide hospital surveillance study of beta-lactam resistance in Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Acinetobacter baumannii was conducted in Puerto Rico. Of 10,507 isolates, 1,239 (12%) unique, multi-beta-lactam-resistant isolates from all geographical regions were identified. The KPC gene was detected in 61 E. coli , 333 K. pneumoniae , 99 P. aeruginosa , and 41 A. baumannii isolates, indicating the widespread dissemination of the KPC gene in clinically significant nosocomial isolates.