Rapid Detection of Carbapenemase Production in Enterobacteriaceae by Use of a Modified Paper Strip Carba NP Method

HB&L system for rapid phenotypic detection of clinical carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales isolates

OBJECTIVES

The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) has increased rapidly worldwide in the last two decades. CRE infection poses a huge challenge for today's clinical therapy. Rapid and accurate detection of clinical CRE isolates can avoid inappropriate antimicrobial treatment and reduce mortality. However, existing detection methods are either time consuming, expensive or inaccurate, making them unable to fully meet clinical demands. In this study, the HB&L system was designed to distinguish CRE from carbapenem-susceptible Enterobacterales (CSE), as it can accelerate the growth of bacteria, detect both carbapenemase-producing CRE (CP-CRE) and non-CP-CRE isolates in real time, and provide time-kill curves.

METHODS

The broth microdilution method and PCR and sequencing were used as the reference methods to identify CRE and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) isolates, respectively. Three methods for detecting CRE isolates, including the Carba NP test, modified carbapenem inactivation method (mCIM) and HB&L system, were evaluated.

RESULTS

The accuracy of the HB&L system was extremely high with 100% sensitivity and 96.0% specificity at only 6 h of culture time for detecting CRE. Time-kill curves may provide information on effective treatment options for clinicians. This system is superior to the mCIM (20-24 h detection time; 90.6% sensitivity and 96.6% specificity) and Carba NP test (2 h detection time; 85.2% sensitivity and 98.4% specificity), which are only designed to detect CP-CRE.

CONCLUSION

The HB&L system is promising for wide application for detection of clinical CRE in hospitals.

Comparison of Different Phenotypic Tests versus PCR in the Detection of Carbapenemase-Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates in Hamadan, Iran

In recent years, the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates has become a worldwide concern. Rapid and accurate detection of carbapenemase-producing P. aeruginosa isolates is so important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the phenotypic methods such as Modified Hodge test (MHT), CarbaNP (CNPt), combined double-disk synergy test (CDDT), and carbapenem inactivation method (CIM) for rapid and accurate detection of clinical carbapenemase production of P. aeruginosa isolates. This study was performed on 97 P. aeruginosa strains, which were isolated from clinical samples in Hamadan hospitals, western Iran in 2017-2018. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by E-test method. We evaluated the performance of MHT, CarbaNP, CDDT, and CIM tests in comparison to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of carbapenemase-producing isolates. Additionally, the presence of carbapenem-resistant genes was investigated using the PCR method. Our findings showed that the highest resistance was to cefoxitin (94.8%). Moreover, among the carbapenem antibiotics, the highest resistance was to imipenem (49.4%). Among the 49 carbapenem-resistant isolates, 42 (85.7%) isolates were MIC positive. The results of phenotypic tests showed that CarbaNP, CIM, CDDT, and MHT tests were positive in (48/49, 97.95%), (46/49, 93.87%), (27/49, 57.44%), and (25/49, 53.19%) of isolates, respectively. CarbaNP and CIM tests showed high sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV), and negative predictive values (NPV) compared to PCR in P. aeruginosa isolates. CarbaNP and CIM tests are highly sensitive and specific tests for identifying carbapenemase-producing P. aeruginosa isolates.

Phenotypic Detection of Carbapenemase Production in Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae by Modified Hodge Test and Modified Strip Carba NP Test

Objective  Carbapenems are last resort antibiotics for multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae . However, resistance to carbapenem is increasing at an alarming rate worldwide leading to major therapeutic failures and increased mortality rate. Early and effective detection of carbapenemase producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is therefore key to control dissemination of carbapenem resistance in nosocomial as well as community-acquired infection. The aim of present study was to evaluate efficacy of Modified strip Carba NP (CNP) test against Modified Hodge test (MHT) for early detection of carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE).

Material and MethodsEnterobacteriaceae isolated from various clinical samples were screened for carbapenem resistance. A total of 107 CRE were subjected to MHT and Modified strip CNP test for the detection of CPE.

Statistical Analysis  It was done on Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, IBM India; version V26. Nonparametric test chi-square and Z -test were used to analyze the results within a 95% level of confidence.

Results  Out of 107 CRE, 94 (88%) were phenotypically confirmed as carbapenemase producer by Modified strip CNP test and 46 (43%) were confirmed by Modified Hodge Test (MHT). Thirty-eight (36%) isolates showed carbapenemase production by both MHT and CNP test, 56 isolates (52%) were CNP test positive but MHT negative, eight (7%) isolates were MHT positive but CNP test negative and five (5%) isolates were both MHT and CNP test negative. There is statistically significant difference in efficiency of Modified CNP test and MHT ( p < 0.05).

Conclusion  Modified strip CNP test is simple and inexpensive test which is easy to perform and interpret and gives rapid results in less than 5 minutes. It has high degree of sensitivity and specificity. Modified strip CNP test shows significantly higher detection capacity for carbapenemase producers as compared with MHT.

The Global Ascendency of OXA-48-Type Carbapenemases

Surveillance studies have shown that OXA-48-like carbapenemases are the most common carbapenemases in Enterobacterales in certain regions of the world and are being introduced on a regular basis into regions of nonendemicity, where they are responsible for nosocomial outbreaks. OXA-48, OXA-181, OXA-232, OXA-204, OXA-162, and OXA-244, in that order, are the most common enzymes identified among the OXA-48-like carbapenemase group. OXA-48 is associated with different Tn1999 variants on IncL plasmids and is endemic in North Africa and the Middle East. OXA-162 and OXA-244 are derivatives of OXA-48 and are present in Europe. OXA-181 and OXA-232 are associated with ISEcp1, Tn2013 on ColE2, and IncX3 types of plasmids and are endemic in the Indian subcontinent (e.g., India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) and certain sub-Saharan African countries. Overall, clonal dissemination plays a minor role in the spread of OXA-48-like carbapenemases, but certain high-risk clones (e.g., Klebsiella pneumoniae sequence type 147 [ST147], ST307, ST15, and ST14 and Escherichia coli ST38 and ST410) have been associated with the global dispersion of OXA-48, OXA-181, OXA-232, and OXA-204. Chromosomal integration of bla _OXA-48 within Tn6237 occurred among E. coli ST38 isolates, especially in the United Kingdom. The detection of Enterobacterales with OXA-48-like enzymes using phenotypic methods has improved recently but remains challenging for clinical laboratories in regions of nonendemicity. Identification of the specific type of OXA-48-like enzyme requires sequencing of the corresponding genes. Bacteria (especially K. pneumoniae and E. coli) with bla _OXA-48, bla _OXA-181, and bla _OXA-232 are emerging in different parts of the world and are most likely underreported due to problems with the laboratory detection of these enzymes. The medical community should be aware of the looming threat that is posed by bacteria with OXA-48-like carbapenemases.

Occurrence of Highly Conjugative IncX3 Epidemic Plasmid Carrying bla NDM in Enterobacteriaceae Isolates in Geographically Widespread Areas

The emergence of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) in common enterobacterial species is a major concern for healthcare. Early reports have revealed that the spread of NDM involved diverse and heterogeneous plasmids. Recently, the involvement of a rare, IncX3 subtype plasmid has been increasingly recognized. Here, we studied the prevalence of IncX plasmid subtypes in 198 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, originating from a territory-wide active surveillance in Hong Kong in 2016. The complete sequences and biological features of the bla _NDM-carrying plasmids were investigated. A total of 62 NDM-type, 21 OXA-48 type, 14 IMP-type, 8 KPC-type, 4 IMI-type producers, and 89 non-carbapenemase-producers were tested for presence of IncX subtypes. IncX3 (n = 60) was the most common subtype, followed by IncX4 (n = 6) and IncX1 (n = 2). The prevalence of IncX3 subtype in isolates producing NDM, other carbapenemase types and non-carbapenemase producers were 75.8, 21.3, and 3.4%, respectively (P < 0.001). An IncX3 plasmid (size ∼50 kb) was confirmed to carry bla _NDM in 47 isolates of different enterobacterial species. Thirteen IncX3 plasmids originating from six healthcare regions in Hong Kong were completely sequenced. The results showed that the IncX3 plasmids carrying bla _NDM share a high degree of sequence identity with a previously reported plasmid, pNDM-HN380 (GenBank accession JX104760), over the backbone and genetic load regions. A blast search further revealed the occurrence of identical or nearly identical IncX3 plasmids carrying bla _NDM in other part of China, Korea, Myanmar, India, Oman, Kuwait, Italy, and Canada. Two IncX3 carrying bla _NDM were investigated further. Conjugation experiments demonstrated that the IncX3 plasmids could be efficiently transferred to multiple enterobacterial species at frequencies that are comparable or higher than the epidemic IncFII plasmid carrying bla _CTX-M (pHK01). In addition, efficient transfer of the NDM plasmids occurred over a range of temperatures. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the important role played by IncX3 in the dissemination of NDM and the occurrence of pNDM-HN380-like plasmids in geographically widespread areas. The high mobility of IncX3 plasmid across different enterobacterial species highlights the ability of this plasmid replicon to be an important vehicle in worldwide dissemination of NDM.

Role of association of OmpK35 and OmpK36 alteration and blaESBL and/or blaAmpC genes in conferring carbapenem resistance among non-carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae

In Klebsiella pneumoniae, loss of the two major outer membrane porins (OMPs) OmpK35 and OmpK36 confers resistance to carbapenems in strains producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) or plasmid-mediated AmpC-type β-lactamases. This study investigated mechanisms responsible for carbapenem resistance in non-carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae (NCPK). All carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) at Charles Nicolle Hospital (Tunis, Tunisia) were collected over a 6-year period (2010-2015). Among the 334 CRE strains collected, 44 (13.2%) were NCPK. MIC ranges for ertapenem, imipenem and meropenem were 1 to >32 mg/L, 0.125-8 mg/L and 0.125-32 mg/L, respectively. All strains showed a multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotype and were negative for carbapenemase activity. None of the carbapenemase genes searched for were found. ESBL production was confirmed in all isolates except one [CTX-M-15 (n = 39) and SHV-5 (n = 4)]. Three isolates produce DHA-1 (associated with CTX-M-15 in two strains). Molecular fingerprints grouped the 44 NCPK isolates into seven clusters. In seven representative strains of these clusters, SDS-PAGE results showed that four isolates lacked the OmpK35 porin, one isolate lacked OmpK36 and two isolates lacked both OmpK35 and OmpK36. Sequencing of the corresponding porin genes showed amino acid insertions and deletions leading to early termination of translation, point mutations in the promoter region, or insertion sequences disrupting the gene coding sequence. Loss or deficiency of OMPs, coupled with ESBL and/or AmpC production, plays an important role in conferring carbapenem resistance in K. pneumoniae. Dissemination of these MDR bacteria in our hospital may create serious therapeutic problems in the future.