The emerging NDM carbapenemases

Trends Microbiol. 2011 Dec;19(12):588-95. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2011.09.005. Epub 2011 Nov 9.

Abstract

Carbapenems were the last β-lactams retaining near-universal anti-Gram-negative activity, but carbapenemases are spreading, conferring resistance. New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) enzymes are the latest carbapenemases to be recognized and since 2008 have been reported worldwide, mostly in bacteria from patients epidemiologically linked to the Indian subcontinent, where they occur widely in hospital and community infections, and also in contaminated urban water. The main type is NDM-1, but minor variants occur. NDM enzymes are present largely in Enterobacteriaceae, but also in non-fermenters and Vibrionaceae. Dissemination predominantly involves transfer of the blaNDM-1 gene among promiscuous plasmids and clonal outbreaks. Bacteria with NDM-1 are typically resistant to nearly all antibiotics, and reliable detection and surveillance are crucial.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Carbapenems / pharmacology*
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Enterobacteriaceae / drug effects*
  • Enterobacteriaceae / enzymology*
  • Enterobacteriaceae / isolation & purification
  • Gene Transfer, Horizontal
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Plasmids
  • Pseudomonas / drug effects
  • Pseudomonas / enzymology
  • Pseudomonas / isolation & purification
  • Vibrionaceae / drug effects
  • Vibrionaceae / enzymology
  • Vibrionaceae / isolation & purification
  • beta-Lactam Resistance*
  • beta-Lactamases / genetics*
  • beta-Lactamases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Carbapenems
  • beta-Lactamases
  • carbapenemase