Expressed and Silent Carbapenemase Genes Detected by Multiplex PCR in both Carbapenem-Resistant and Phenotypically-Susceptible Gram Negative Bacilli

Antimicrobial resistance genetic determinants and susceptibility profile of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from clinical samples in a tertiary hospital in Ogun State, Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Genetic determinants are known to promote antibiotic resistance through horizontal gene transfer.

METHODS

We molecularly characterized integrons, plasmid replicon types and metallo-β-lactamase-encoding genes of 38 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from clinical samples.

RESULTS

The P. aeruginosa isolates displayed high resistance (97.4%) to β-lactams. Seventeen (44.74%) of them possessed plasmids. Of the 17 isolates that possessed plasmids, 11 (64.7%) of them harboured IncFIA plasmid replicon type, while 6 (35.3%), 5 (29.4%) and 5 (29.4%) were of the IncFIB, IncF and IncW types, respectively. The intI1 gene was detected in 19 (50%) of the isolates. The blaNDM-A, blaNDM-B and blaVIM genes were detected in 14 (35.9%), 4 (10.3%) and 5 (12.8%) of the isolates, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

High resistance to β-lactams was observed among P. aeruginosa strains of clinical origin in this study. They possessed transmissible genetic elements indicating the potential for continuous dissemination, thus continuous surveillance is advocated.

Characterization of Carbapenem-Resistant K. Pneumoniae Isolated from Intensive Care Units of Zagazig University Hospitals

The advent of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) poses a significant challenge to public health, as carbapenems are typically employed as a last resort to treat nosocomial infections caused by such organisms, especially in intensive care units (ICUs). This study aims to characterize the CRKP isolated from patients admitted to the Zagazig University Hospitals (ZUHs) ICU in Egypt. About 56.2%, 41.0%, and 32.4% of the isolates indicated the presence of bla_NDM, bla_OXA-48, and bla_KPC, respectively. Carbapenemase-encoding genes were found in many isolates, and bla_NDM was the most predominant gene. Nevertheless, this situation has become a heavy burden in developing countries, including Egypt, and is associated with substantial morbidity, mortality, and increased healthcare expenses.