Emergence of PER and VEB extended-spectrum {beta}-lactamases in Acinetobacter baumannii in Belgium

Objectives : Strains of Acinetobacter baumannii producing the extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) PER-1 are widespread in Turkey and have also been reported from Korea and France. In contrast, A. baumannii producing the ESBL VEB-1 have only been reported from France, where one strain was responsible for a nationwide outbreak in 2003–2004. Here we describe the emergence of strains of A. baumannii producing VEB-1 and PER- 1 in Belgium. Methods : Belgian hospitals were alerted in December 2003 to the emergence in France of VEB-1-producing A. baumannii susceptible only to meropenem and colistin.... Mehr ...