Novel Ambler Class A Carbapenem-Hydrolyzing β-Lactamase from a Pseudomonas fluorescens Isolate from the Seine River, Paris, France

Abstract

A Pseudomonas fluorescens isolate (PF-1) resistant to carbapenems was recovered during an environmental survey performed with water from the Seine River (Paris). It expressed a novel Ambler class A carbapenemase, BIC-1, sharing 68 and 59% amino acid identities with β-lactamases SFC-1 from Serratia fonticola and the plasmid-encoded KPC-2, respectively. β-Lactamase BIC-1 hydrolyzed penicillins, carbapenems, and cephalosporins except ceftazidime and monobactams. The bla _BIC-1 gene was chromosomally located and was also identified in two other P. fluorescens strains isolated from the Seine River 3 months later.