Presence of VIM-Positive Pseudomonas Species in Chickens and Their Surrounding Environment

Metallo-beta-lactamase gene bla(VIM) was identified on the chromosome of four Pseudomonas sp. isolates from a chicken farm, including one Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolate from a swallow (Yanornis martini), one Pseudomonas putida isolate from a fly, and two P. putida isolates from chickens. The four isolates shared two variants of bla(VIM)-carrying genomic contexts that resemble the corresponding regions of clinical metallo-beta-lactamase-producing Pseudomonas spp. Our study suggests that the surveillance of carbapenemase-producing bacteria in livestock and their surrounding environment is urgently needed.