606. Identification and Characterization of HMB-2, a Novel Metallo-β-Lactamase in a Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolate

BACKGROUND: Carbapenemases, a global health threat, are a diverse group of β-lactamases active against cephalosporins and carbapenems, which are often last resort treatments for multidrug-resistant gram-negative infections. The most common carbapenemases reported among Pseudomonas aeruginosa are metallo-β-lactamase (MBLs). We describe a novel MBL (designated HMB-2) identified in a P. aeruginosa isolate from a urine specimen collected in 2015 as part of CDC’s Emerging Infections Program. METHODS: We performed antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) by broth microdilution, real-time PCR to screen for common carbapenemases (IMP, KPC, NDM, VIM, and OXA-48), and modified carbapenem inactivation method (mCIM) to test for carbapenemase production. The isolate underwent whole-genome sequencing (WGS) using Illumina MiSeq and PacBio RS II (Pacific Biosciences) platforms. Long read sequences were polished using Quiver and corrected by Pilon utilizing Illumina reads. We further characterized a putative novel MBL identified in WGS data by amplifying and cloning the gene into the pCR2.1-TOPO II vector (Invitrogen), which was then sub-cloned into a pET21 expression vector (Sigma–Aldrich). The resulting hmb2+ pET21 plasmid was transformed into a susceptible Escherichia coli for AST, including the imipenem-EDTA method to confirm MBL activity. RESULTS: The isolate displayed resistance to carbapenems and demonstrated phenotypic carbapenemase activity (mCIM positive), but was negative for carbapenemase genes by PCR. WGS analyses identified a putative MBL gene located on the chromosome. The gene shared 98% DNA and protein sequence identity with an MBL reported in 2016 in a P. aeruginosa isolate from Germany (HMB-1) and thus was named hmb-2. The cloned hmb-2 gene conferred resistance to carbapenems (meropenem and ertapenem) and third-generation cephalosporins (cefotaxime and ceftazidime) in transformed E. coli. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrationratio for the imipenem-EDTA method was ≥4. CONCLUSION: A putative, novel β-lactamase gene, bla(HMB-2), was identified and cloned. The imipenem-EDTA results indicated that HMB-2 is an MBL. This discovery underscores the important role WGS plays in identifying new mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance. DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.