Characterization of the novel plasmid-encoded MBL gene blaAFM-1, integrated into a blaIMP-45-bearing transposon Tn6485e in a carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolate

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the novel subclass B1 MBL AFM-1, encoded by a blaIMP-45-bearing megaplasmid from a carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) clinical isolate. METHODS: CRPA HS17-127 and its transconjugant were discovered to carry blaAFM-1 in our previous study. blaAFM-1 and blaNDM-1 were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli TOP10 and P. aeruginosa PAO1, respectively, to test the resistance phenotype. Kinetic studies were performed to elucidate the biochemical characteristics of the AFM-1 enzyme. Comparative genomic analysis was applied to investigate the genetic context of blaAFM-1. RESULTS: PAO1 transconjugant TcHS17-127 exhibited carbapenem resistance with an imipenem MIC of 64 mg/L. E. coli transformants with cloned blaAFM-1 or blaNDM-1 had increased MICs of all β-lactams tested (except aztreonam) and imipenem MICs of 4-8 mg/L. Kinetic studies showed that AFM-1 had greater catalytic efficiency against cephalosporins than carbapenems. blaAFM-1 was located on a 486 963 bp IncP-2 plasmid, pHS17-127, containing a 57.3 kb MDR Tn1403-derivative transposon, Tn6485e, which is genetically closest to the blaIMP-45-bearing Tn6485 transposon but has acquired an extra ISCR27n3-blaAFM-1 module. Multicentre surveillance of 605 P. aeruginosa clinical isolates identified three blaAFM carriers from different STs. Two of them co-carried blaAFM-1 and blaIMP-45. A BLAST search against the NCBI database showed six blaAFM carriers on various plasmids and the chromosomes of different Gram-negative species. CONCLUSIONS: The blaAFM-1 gene confers carbapenem resistance and has been captured in distinct species of non-fermenters. Co-carriage of blaAFM-1 and blaIMP-45 in an MDR transposon on a conjugative plasmid can be expected to promote further dissemination of blaMBLs.