Metallo beta lactamases in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter species

The multi drug resistant gram negative bacteria especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter species are on the rise. The major defense in these bacteria against beta-lactam antibiotics is production of metallo beta lactamases (MBLs) which degrade this group of antibiotics including carbapenems. Till now five main types of MBLs have been described throughout the World - IMP, VIM, SPM, GIM and SIM. A new MBL has been recently reported in P aeruginosa from Australia - bla AIM-1. There are no standard guidelines by CLSI for detection of these enzymes in various bacteria. A number of phenotypic tests based on different beta lactam-inhibitor combinations are being evaluated and used for routine testing. Regarding the treatment options - colistin, various antibiotic combinations and a few novel antibiotics are being tried and evaluated. Prevention is based on age old practices of strict infection control and judicious use of antibiotics.