Drug resistance phenotypes and genotypes in Mexico in representative gram-negative species: Results from the infivar network

About the Authors:

Elvira Garza-González

Roles Data curation, Formal analysis, Methodology, Project administration, Software, Validation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing

Affiliation: Hospital Universitario Dr. José E. González, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico

Paola Bocanegra-Ibarias

Roles Investigation, Methodology, Writing – review & editing

Affiliation: Hospital Universitario Dr. José E. González, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico

Miriam Bobadilla-del-Valle

Roles Investigation, Methodology, Writing – review & editing

Affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, Mexico

Luis Alfredo Ponce-de-León-Garduño

Roles Conceptualization, Investigation, Methodology, Writing – review & editing

Affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, Mexico

Verónica Esteban-Kenel

Roles Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, Mexico

Jesus Silva-Sánchez

Roles Funding acquisition, Investigation, Writing – review & editing

Affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico

ORCID logo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6580-2990

Ulises Garza-Ramos

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Writing – review & editing

Affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico

Humberto Barrios-Camacho

Roles Investigation

Affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico

Luis Esaú López-Jácome

Roles Conceptualization, Investigation, Methodology, Writing – review & editing

Affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Ciudad de México, Mexico

ORCID logo https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7387-0937

Claudia A. Colin-Castro

Roles Investigation

Affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Ciudad de México, Mexico

Rafael Franco-Cendejas

Roles Conceptualization, Investigation, Writing – review & editing

Affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Ciudad de México, Mexico

Samantha Flores-Treviño

Roles Investigation

Affiliation: Hospital Universitario Dr. José E. González, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico

ORCID logo https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1259-7425

Rayo Morfín-Otero

Roles Conceptualization, Investigation, Writing – review & editing

Affiliation: Hospital Civil de Guadalajara E Instituto de Patología Infecciosa, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

ORCID logo https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9576-1950

Fabian Rojas-Larios

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital Regional Universitario de Colima, Colima, Colima, Mexico

Juan Pablo Mena-Ramírez

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital General de Zona 21 Tepatitlán De Morelos, Centro Universitario de los Altos (CUALTOS), Universidad de Guadalajara, Tepatitlán de Morelos, Jalisco, Mexico

María Guadalupe Fong-Camargo

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital General Regional No. 1, Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico

Cecilia Teresita Morales-De-la-Peña

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital General con Especialidades Juan María de Salvatierra, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Lourdes García-Mendoza

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital Angeles Valle Oriente, Monterrey Nuevo León, Mexico

Elena Victoria Choy-Chang

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital General de Zona No. 1, Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico

Laura Karina Aviles-Benitez

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital Infantil de Morelia, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico

José Manuel Feliciano-Guzmán

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital de Especialidades Pediátricas de Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico

Eduardo López-Gutiérrez

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de Oaxaca, San Bartolo Coyotepec, Oaxaca, Mexico

Mariana Gil-Veloz

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad del Bajío, Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico

Juan Manuel Barajas-Magallón

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Laboratorio Dipromi, Michoacán, Morelia, Mexico

Efren Aguirre-Burciaga

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital Regional Delicias, Delicias, Chihuahua, Mexico

Laura Isabel López-Moreno

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Galenia Hospital, Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Rebeca Thelma Martínez-Villarreal

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Centro Universitario de Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León. Laboratorio Vicente Guerrero, Monterrey Nuevo León, Mexico

Jorge Luis Canizales-Oviedo

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Centro Universitario de Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León. Laboratorio Pueblo Nuevo, Monterrey Nuevo León, Mexico

Carlos Miguel Cetina-Umaña

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital Materno Infantil Morelos, Chetumal Quintana Roo, Mexico

Daniel Romero-Romero

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Laboratorio de Análisis Bioquímico Clínicos "Louis Pasteur" Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico

Fidencio David Bello-Pazos

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital H+ Querétaro, Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico

Nicolás Rogelio Eric Barlandas-Rendón

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Laboratorio Bioclin, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, Mexico

Joyarib Yanelli Maldonado-Anicacio

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital general de Chilpancingo, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, Mexico

Enrique Bolado-Martínez

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

Mario Galindo-Méndez

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Laboratorios Galindo SC, Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico

Talia Perez-Vicelis

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital Regional "Bicentenario de la Independencia” ISSSTE, Tultitlán, Estado de México, Mexico

Norma Alavez-Ramírez

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital Regional "Bicentenario de la Independencia” ISSSTE, Tultitlán, Estado de México, Mexico

Braulio J. Méndez-Sotelo

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital General “Dr. Manuel Gea González”, Ciudad de México, Mexico

ORCID logo https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2720-8971

Juan Francisco Cabriales-Zavala

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Swiss Hospital, Monterrey Nuevo león, Mexico

Yirla Citlali Nava-Pacheco

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital para el Niño Poblano, San Andrés Cholula, Puebla, Mexico

Martha Irene Moreno-Méndez

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Laboratorios del Centro, Zamnora, Michoacán, Mexico

Ricardo García-Romo

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Centenario Hospital Miguel Hidalgo, Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico

Aldo Rafael Silva-Gamiño

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital Ángeles Morelia, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico

Ana María Avalos-Aguilera

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital General “Dr. Miguel Silva”, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico

María Asunción Santiago-Calderón

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital General de Zona No 1 Dr. Demetrio Mayoral Pardo, Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico

Maribel López-García

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital de la Madre y Niño Guerrerense, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, Mexico

María del Consuelo Velázquez-Acosta

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Ciudad de México, Mexico

Dulce Isabel Cobos-Canul

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital General de Chetumal, Chetumal Quintana Roo, Mexico

María del Rosario Vázquez-Larios

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Ciudad de México, Mexico

Ana Elizabeth Ortiz-Porcayo

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital Regional Monterrey ISSSTE, Monterrey Nuevo León, Mexico

Arely Elizabeth Guerrero-Núñez

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital Militar regional de especialidades, Mazatlán Sinaloa, Mexico

Jazmín Valero-Guzmán

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Centro de diagnóstico microbiológico SA de CV, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico

Alina Aracely Rosales-García

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Hospital de Especialidades pediátrico de León, León, Guanajuato, Mexico

Heidy Leticia Ostos-Cantú

Roles Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology

Affiliation: Bioclinsa, Hospital Ginequito, Monterrey Nuevo León, Mexico

Adrián Camacho-Ortiz

Roles Conceptualization, Writing – review & editing

* E-mail: [email protected]

Affiliation: Hospital Universitario Dr. José E. González, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico

ORCID logo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8044-0094

Introduction

National and local surveillance of drug resistance and the involved genotypes is fundamental to implementing adequate infection control measures [1, 2].

The prevalence of carbapenemases from Ambler class A, B, and D, cephalosporinases (AmpCs), is rapidly increasing among Gram-negative bacteria and is rapidly increasing among Gram-negative bacteria and is now widely distributed [3, 4].

Among class A, the most reported β-lactamases are the extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) cefotaximase (CTX-M), temoneira (TEM), and sulfhydryl variable (SHV), along with the Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) [3, 4].

Class B metallo-β-lactamases include those enzymes that confer resistance to carbapenem antibiotics as the carbapenemases the imipenem (IMP), New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM), and those encoded by vimentin (VIM) [5]. Among class D β-lactamases, the most frequently reported oxacillinases (OXA) are those encoded by blaOXA-23-like, blaOXA-24-like, and blaOXA-58-like genes in Acinetobacter baumannii and by blaOXA-48-like, especially in Enterobacteriaceae.

Some research groups from Mexico have published the drug resistance rates and involved genes for some Gram-negative bacteria, including A. baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, K. pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli [6–9]. However, information available is limited, and nationwide studies are needed.

To contribute to the study of drug resistance in Mexico, the Network for the Research and Surveillance of Drug Resistance (Red Temática de Investigación y Vigilancia de la Farmacorresistencia INVIFAR, in Spanish) was created in 2018 and has reported an increase in drug resistance for several bacterial species, underlying the increase in carbapenem resistance for Enterobacter spp. and Klebsiella spp. [10, 11].

This report presents phenotypic and genetic data on the prevalence and characteristics of ESBL and carbapenemase-producing representative Gram-negative species in Mexico during the first trimester of 2020.

Materials and methods

Participating centers, data collection, and analysis

A total of 52 centers participated: 43 hospital-based laboratories and 9 external laboratories.

Identification and susceptibility test results from January 1 to March 31, 2020, from participating laboratories were deposited into the WHONET 5.6 platform and converted to the WHONET using the BacLink 2 tool. WHONET files were analyzed using macros to facilitate the revision, and only one strain per patient was included. The distribution of antimicrobial resistance for E. coli, K. pneumoniae, E. cloacae complex, A. baumannii complex, and P. aeruginosa was analyzed in clinical specimens such as urine, blood, and respiratory specimens. The results were scored according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) criteria in all laboratories [12].

Included isolates

Participating laboratories sent to the coordinating laboratory all recovered isolates with the following characteristics: carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (any species); ESBL or carbapenem-resistant E. coli collected from urine or blood; ESBL or carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae recovered from urine, respiratory specimens (endotracheal and bronchoalveolar lavage), or blood; carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii complex and P. aeruginosa recovered from urine, respiratory specimens, or blood. Clinical isolates collected from January 1 to March 31, 2020, were included.

All identifications were confirmed at the coordinating laboratory using MALDI-TOF. After confirmation, phenotypic tests and genotyping tests were performed for each strain.

Beta-lactamase identification and characterization in Enterobacteriaceae

The ESBL phenotypic detection test was performed using the double disk method recommended by the CLSI for E. coli and K. pneumonia [12]. The molecular detection and characterization of ESBLs were performed for blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaCTX-M genes in selected isolates by PCR using previously described and newly designed primers (S1 Table) [13]. A selection of amplified products was sequenced.

Carbapenemase production in Enterobacteriaceae was detected using the CarbaNP test and modified carbapenem inactivation according to the CLSI [12].

For carbapenemase-encoding genes detection, Enterobacteriaceae were tested by PCR for blaKPC, blaGES, blaVIM, blaIMP, blaNDM-1, blaOXA-48-like, and chromosomal ampC genes as described [14–17].

All PCR products were sequenced using a Hitachi analyzer (Applied Biosystems, Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). DNA sequences were aligned and edited using BioEdit software (Ibis Bioscience, Carlsbad, CA) and matched in a gene bank (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genbank).

Carbapenemase assays in A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa

For carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii, the blaOXA-23, blaOXA-24, blaOXA-51, blaOXA-58, blaVIM, blaIMP, and blaNDM-type β-lactamase genes were screened using PCR as described elsewhere [18, 19]. For P. aeruginosa, the detection of carbapenemase-encoding genes blaKPC, blaGES, blaIMP, blaNDM, and blaVIM was performed by PCR as described previously [20–24].

Ethics statement

The local ethics committee of Hospital Civil de Guadalajara “Fray Antonio Alcalde,” Jalisco, Mexico) approved this study with reference number 129/17. Informed consent was waived by the ethics committee because no intervention was involved. All participating institutions agreed with the present study.

Results

Participating centers, data, and collected strains

In this study, 52 centers collected strains and sent them to the coordinating laboratory: 43 hospital-based laboratories and 9 external laboratories. The three-month identification and susceptibility data were obtained from 46 centers (37 hospital-based laboratories and 9 external laboratories). The centers were distributed across 19 Mexican states. The characteristics of hospital-based centers are shown in Table 1.

[Figure omitted. See PDF.]

Table 1. Characteristics of hospitals participating.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248614.t001

The results of drug susceptibility for 8,245 strains were included for analysis, and 2,243 clinical isolates were collected at the reference laboratory. A selection of 813 isolates (including isolates from each center and state) was included for phenotypic and genotypic analysis.

Drug resistance

Regarding urine isolates, resistance was higher than 55% for all antibiotics in A. baumannii complex. In P. aeruginosa, the lowest percentage of resistance was for piperacillin/tazobactam (29.5%). Meanwhile, carbapenem resistance was low in E. coli (<1%) but high in E. cloacae complex (10.9%) (Table 2). Also, 44.9% and 39.3% of E. coli and K. pneumoniae, respectively, were reported to be ESBLs producers.

[Figure omitted. See PDF.]

Table 2. Percentage of resistant, intermediate, and susceptible gram-negative isolates collected from urine.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248614.t002

Among blood isolates, A. baumannii showed more than 68% resistance for all antibiotics tested, and P. aeruginosa had 37.1% resistance to meropenem. Among Enterobacteriaceae, E. cloacae showed higher resistance to carbapenems (4.4% for meropenem), whereas K. pneumoniae and E. coli had more than 59% resistance for cefepime (Table 3).

[Figure omitted. See PDF.]

Table 3. Percentage of resistant, intermediate, and susceptible gram-negative isolates collected from blood.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248614.t003

Also, 60% and 49.3% of E. coli and K. pneumoniae, respectively, were reported to be ESBLs producers.

A. baumannii showed a higher resistance pattern in respiratory specimens, with only amikacin exhibiting a resistance less than 70%. In general, K. pneumoniae had higher resistance to antibiotics than E. cloacae (Table 4). Also, 47% of K. pneumoniae isolates were reported to be ESBLs producers.

[Figure omitted. See PDF.]

Table 4. Percentage of resistant, intermediate, and susceptible gram-negative isolates collected from respiratory specimens.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248614.t004

ESBL phenotype and genotype

A total of 1059 E. coli and 370 K. pneumoniae from selected specimens were received. A selection of isolates was evaluated for further analysis (including representative isolates from each center).

Among isolates selected for analysis, 173/215 K. pneumoniae and 419/425 E. coli were confirmed to be ESBLs using the double disk method. All were screened using PCR to detect ESBL-encoding genes blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaCTX.

Among K. pneumoniae isolates, blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaCTX were detected in 119/173, 68.8%, 125/173,72.3%, and 159/173, 91.9% of isolates, respectively, with 124/173 (71.7%) isolates carrying both blaSHV and blaCTX. A selection of ESBL PCR products were sequenced and most of the blaCTX-M genes were detected to be blaCTX-M-15 (15/17, 88.23%) followed by blaCTX-M-55 (7/17,41.17%). Among the blaSHV gene, a great diversity was detected, including blaSHV-11, blaSHV-28, blaSHV-158, blaSHV-171, blaSHV-176, blaSHV-196, blaSHV-205, blaSHV-213, and blaSHV-228. Some of them with no evidence of ESBL activity (Table 5).

[Figure omitted. See PDF.]

Table 5. Distribution of ESBL genotypes among E. coli and K. pneumoniae selected isolates.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248614.t005

Among E. coli isolates, blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaCTX were detected in 87/419, 20.76%, 19/419, 4.53%, and 359/419, 85.68% of isolates, respectively, with 18 (4.29%) isolates carrying both blaSHV and blaCTX.

A selection of ESBL PCR products were sequenced and most of the blaCTX-M encoding genes were detected to be blaCTX-M-15 (32/34, 94.1%), followed by blaCTX-M-55 (17/34, 50.0%). Among the blaSHV gene, blaSHV-5 and blaSHV-11 (with reported ESBL activity), blaSHV-38 (with reported carbapenemase activity), and blaSHV-171 (with no report of ESBL activity) were detected (Table 5).

Carbapenemase-encoding genes

A total of 26 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates were received for genotyping (one of them with a subpopulation). Carbapenem-encoding genes were detected primarily in E. coli, followed by K. pneumoniae. The most frequently detected carbapenemase-encoding gene was blaNDM-1 (81.5%), followed by blaOXA-232 (14.8%) and blaoxa-181(7.4%). One K. pneumoniae isolate was detected to harbor both blaKPC and blaNDM-1. (Table 6).

[Figure omitted. See PDF.]

Table 6. Distribution of carbapenemase-encoding genes among selected carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceaea.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248614.t006

A total of 102 carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii isolates were received, and the most frequent carbapenemase-encoding gene was blaOXA-24 (76%), followed by blaOXA-23 (18.5%). Other genes detected were blaVIM and blaNDM (Table 7). All the isolates were negative to blaKPC, blaGES, and blaOXA-58.

[Figure omitted. See PDF.]

Table 7. Distribution of carbapenemase-encoding genes among A. baumannii complexa.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248614.t007

Regarding carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa, 93 isolates were received, and the carbapenemase-encoding genes most frequently detected were blaIMP (25.3%), blaGES, and blaVIM (13.1% each), with 44 (47.31%) isolates containing none of the screened carbapenemase-encoding genes (Table 8).

[Figure omitted. See PDF.]

Table 8. Distribution of carbapenemase-encoding genes among P. aeruginosa carbapenem-resistant clinical isolates *.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248614.t008

Discussion

This report presents phenotypic and genetic data on the frequency and characteristics of ESBL and representative carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative species in Mexico using strains collected from 52 centers in 19 Mexican states.

OXA-48-like carbapenemases are important causes of carbapenem resistance and are now the most common carbapenemase in some populations [25]. In Enterobacteriaceae, several variants of blaOXA-48 have been identified, with blaOXA-181 and blaOXA-232 being the two most common [26, 27]. Kinetic properties of these two enzymes had been measured, and both appear broadly similar to blaOXA-48 in their activity, with blaOXA-232 demonstrating better hydrolysis of penicillin [28]. In this study, blaOXA-181 and blaOXA-232 were detected in E. coli. At present, blaOXA-232 has been reported in Mexico in two single-center reports: in E. coli, carrying blaOXA-232 plus blaCTXM-15 [8] and in a case-control-control study in which the infection by blaOXA-232 strains was associated with the previous use of β-lactam/β-lactamase antibiotics (OR, 6.2) [29]. The OXA-181 variant has been associated with other carbapenemase genes, including blaNDM-1 and blaVIM-5 [30]. No previous reports of blaOXA-181 circulation in Mexico were identified in the literature.

Enterobacteriaceae-producing OXA-48-like enzymes are rapidly spreading, and thus, laboratory detection should be optimized. This enzyme has low-level hydrolytic activity against carbapenems and, thus, may not be detected [27]. As detected in this study, blaOXA-48-like genes can co-harbor genes encoding ESBL or AmpC enzymes, or both, which confers nonsusceptibility to aztreonam, extended-spectrum cephalosporins, and carbapenem agents and renders these genes a serious menace [31].

NDM has a worldwide distribution, with multiple reports in Asia and Europe since this enzyme was first described in 2007 [32–37]. However, it has remained uncommon in Enterobacteriaceae in America, with some reports in Canada, the United States, and Latin American countries [38–41]. In this study, the most frequently detected carbapenemase-encoding gene was blaNDM-1. The NDM carbapenemase was first described in Mexico in 2013 [6], and since then, several reports have been published about it in the county [8, 41]. According to our report, NDM is now the most prevalent carbapenemase in Mexico. This study reports by Mexico the first NDM-1-positive Klebsiella variicola isolates considered an emerging pathogen in humans [42].

Within a few years, KPC producers became global as they were reported in America, Europe, and Asia [32, 43]. Interestingly, this enzyme has a lower frequency in Mexico when compared to other Latin American countries, as confirmed by our report [43]. KPC and NDM have received special attention due to limited therapeutic options and high mortality associated with infections caused by strains carrying genes that encode these enzymes [44].

A. baumannii isolates have resistance rates greater than 50.0% to carbapenems worldwide, and our results confirmed this resistance [45, 46]. In this study, we detected that the most frequent carbapenemase-encoding gene was blaOXA-24, followed by blaOXA-23. OXA-23 isolates have been primarily detected in Asia, Europe, the United States, Brazil, and South America, whereas OXA-24 has been reported in Europe, Asia, and North America [5, 47–51].

Among P. aeruginosa isolates, 44 out of 93 isolates did not contain any of the screened carbapenemase-encoding genes. The most frequent carbapenem resistance mechanism described in P. aeruginosa is the overexpression of efflux pumps and the loss of the Opr porin [52]. Less frequently, genes encoding carbapenemases have been described as an alternative mechanism, with GES variants and IMP, VIM, and NDM reported. In this study, we did not analyze the overexpression of efflux pumps and porins, but blaGES, blaVIM, and blaIMP genes were detected in approximately half of the strains (49/93) (Table 8). Similar results were reported in Mexico with a prevalence of 36.2% of carbapenemases (IMP, VIM, and GES types) on P. aeruginosa clinical isolates. These genes have been reported to be chromosomally encoded on embedded class 1 integron arrays [53].

Besides carbapenemase-encoding genes, other important mechanisms conferring carbapenem resistance have been observed, including carbapenem hydrolysis by AmpCs in combination with ESBL enzymes, rendering carbapenem resistance to Gram-negative bacteria [54]. In our study, a high frequency of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae was identified, with the AMPc-encoding gene detected in two strains (Enterobacter xiangfangensis (a member of the E. cloacae complex) and E. coli harboring both blaNDM-1, blaCTXM-15, and ampC). The presence of AmpC/ESBL and the exact changes of the porins may significantly affect carbapenem resistance. Thus, these mechanisms need to be considered in future research.

The prevalence of bacterial isolates expressing the ESBL phenotype varies across different geographical regions, with rates from 10% to 58% [55]. ESBLs arise primarily due to mutations in the blaTEM, blaSHV, or blaCTX genes, and at present, the CTX-M type is known to be the most frequent non-TEM, non-SHV ESBL [55]. In our study, 72.25% of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae isolates and 85.7% of E coli isolates harbored blaCTX-M, confirming the spread of this enzyme.

The presence of CTX-M-type enzymes is relevant because they are readily inhibited by all commercially available β-lactamase inhibitors, including avibactam, vaborbactam, and relebactam [56]; a valuable alternative therapy to the recommended ertapenem regimen.

In this study, the non-ESBL TEM-1 was frequently detected, and SHV was detected with no predominance of any subtype. Worldwide, the prevalence of TEM and SHV has diminished, mirroring the worldwide dissemination of isolates producing CTX-M-type -lactamases [57].

Some of the limitations of this study are that not all states in Mexico participated, and the analysis of porins was not included. Furthermore, we only included some bacterial species involved in ESBL production. Our network will continue to actively survey drug resistance and molecular mechanisms involved.

In conclusion, our report identifies NDM as the most frequent carbapenemase-encoding gene in Enterobacteriaceae Mexico with circulation of the oxacillinase genes 181 and 232. KPC, in contrast to other countries in Latin America and the USA, is a rare occurrence. Additionally, a high circulation of ESBL blaCTX-M-15 existed in E. coli and K. pneumoniae.

Supporting information

S1 Table. Primers used for genotyping of ESLs genes.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248614.s001

(DOCX)

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the enthusiastic work of the Network for the Research and Surveillance of Drug Resistance (Invifar), which at present includes 86 centers from 27 out of 32 states of Mexico.

We acknowledge the technical support from Maria de la Luz Acevedo-Duarte and form Myriam Aseret Zamora-Márquez.

Citation: Garza-González E, Bocanegra-Ibarias P, Bobadilla-del-Valle M, Ponce-de-León-Garduño LA, Esteban-Kenel V, Silva-Sánchez J, et al. (2021) Drug resistance phenotypes and genotypes in Mexico in representative gram-negative species: Results from the infivar network. PLoS ONE 16(3): e0248614. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248614

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