Detection of Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in Tawam Hospital, United Arab Emerates

Abstract

Carbapenems are one of the most powerful B-lactam antibiotics against bacteria especially multidrug resistant isolates. This is a laboratory-based study conducted to detect carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) isolated from patients with different diseases. A total of sixty (n=60) Klebsiella isolates were obtained from Microbiology Laboratory, Tawam Hospital, UAE. The isolates were recovered from both males and females with different age and nationality. All of the isolates were checked for purity by streaking on nutrient agar, then examined microscopically. Gram stain and Vitek2 was used to confirm the identity of the isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were carried out using Kirby Bauer technique and confirmed by Vitek2 machine. Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae was detected by Modified Hodge Test. Re-identification of the isolates confirmed that all isolates (n=60) were K. pneumoniae. Study on antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates revealed that the resistant was 100% to Ampicllin, Ceftaxidime, Cefruxime/Axetil, Cephalothin, Aztroenam, and Ertapenem. The resistant to the rest of the antibiotics range from 3.3-98.3 (Table 2) The result revealed that all isolates of K. pneumoniae were carbapemen-resistat. The study concluded that K. pneumoniae were highly carbapemease produce. Deriving policies for treatment plan nationwide to control KPCs and strict hospital monitoring, sterilization and intervention plans are highly recommended. Further studies with large number of isolates are required to validate the results of this study.