Carbapenemases are a growing concern worldwide since they threaten the efficacy of carbapenems, the most potent -lactam antibiotics. Nonmetallocarbapenemase class A (NMC-A) was identified in 1990 from a clinical isolate of Enterobacter cloacae, and since its first report in France (1), this rare enzyme has been found only in the United States (Seattle, WA, and New York, NY), Argentina, and Finl...

To the Editor Carbapenems (i.e. ertapenem, imipenem, meropenem, and doripenem) are second line antimicrobials reserved to treat serious infections, including those caused by Gramnegative bacilli (GNB) producing extended-spectrum b-lactamses (ESBLs). ESBLs mediate resistance among GNB to b-lactam drugs, including third generation cephalosporins. Emergence of carbapenemases-producing GNB (mainly ...

Acinetobacter baumannii is currently one of the key nosocomial pathogens causing severe infections; of special concern is its resistance to expanded-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs) and carbapenems, often associated with the few so-called European clones (6, 7, 19). It has two natural -lactamases, an AmpC-like enzyme (Acinetobacter-derived cephalosporinase [ADC]) (10) and a carbapenem-hydrolyzing...