Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated From Patients in Kashan, Iran

Cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra syndrome impairs the preantral follicle reserve in domestic bitches (Canis familiaris)

Cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH)-pyometra syndrome is the most common uterine pathological condition reported in breeding bitches, however, their described effects on fertility are limited to uterine disorders and conception rates. As the preantral follicle population represents the available reserve of gametes recruited during the lifespan, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of CEH-pyometra syndrome on the: (i) preantral follicle morphology, (ii) developing follicle rates, and (iii) preantral follicle and stromal cell densities. Ovarian fragments from bitches subjected to elective or therapeutic ovariohysterectomy were allocated according to uterine diagnosis as follows: control (n = 7, clinically healthy), CEH-mucometra (n = 8, uterine lumen filled with a sterile mucus), and pyometra (n = 17, presence of a purulent mucus) groups. Overall, the control group had 3.4 and 4.1-fold higher probability (P < 0.0001) of the presence of normal preantral follicles compared with CEH-mucometra and pyometra groups, respectively. Moreover, ovarian fragments from the pyometra group showed an increase in the percentage of developing follicles (P < 0.05) compared to the control. Both CEH-mucometra and pyometra groups showed lower (P < 0.05) preantral follicle and stromal cell densities (P < 0.05) compared to the control. In summary, the CEH-pyometra syndrome decreased the percentage of morphologically normal follicles and enhanced the developing follicle rates. Additionally, a reduction of preantral follicle and stromal cell densities suggests that the inappropriate uterine environment induced by CEH-pyometra syndrome can lead to premature depletion of ovarian reserve.

Risk factors in acquiring multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infections in a hospital setting in Saudi Arabia

Over the last decades, the prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae in clinical settings has increased progressively. This study determined the prevalence and risk factors associated with MDR K. pneumoniae infection among hospitalized patients in a referral hospital located in southern Saudi Arabia. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in King Abdullah Hospital from April 2021 to March 2022. K. pneumoniae (n = 211) bacteria were recovered from clinical samples of adult patients and examined for antibiotic susceptibility. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were applied to determine the factors associated with MDR K. pneumoniae infection. MDR K. pneumoniae strains was found in 66.8% (142/211) of the patients. Among MDR K. pneumoniae, the highest resistance rate was determined for ampicillin (100%), cefuroxime (97.9%), ceftriaxone (94.3%), and aztreonam (92.2%). The lowest resistance rate was determined for colistin (16.3%), and tigecycline (6.4%). Further, the patients' gender, age group, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, invasive medical devices, and chronic illness were found to be significantly associated with MDR K. pneumoniae infection. The independent risk factors associated with MDR K. pneumoniae infection were the male gender (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.107, 95% confidence interval CI 1.125‒3.945, p = 0.02), patients ≥ 65 years of age (AOR 1.905; CI 1.003‒3.616, p = 0.049), ICU admission (AOR 1.963; CI 1.033‒3.732, p = 0.04), diabetes (AOR 1.95; CI 1.02‒3.727, p = 0.043) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AOR 7.172; CI 1.557‒33.032, p = 0.011). The study offered a vision of MDR K. pneumoniae infection in our setting and provided essential indications for further studies that may lead to the prevention and reduction of MDR bacteria.

EVALUATION OF PHENOTYPIC AND MOLECULAR TECHNIQUE IN THE DETECTION OF EXTENDED SPECTRUM BETA-LACTAMASE (ESBL)-PRODUCING GRAM NEGATIVE BACILLI IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Background

Molecular diagnosis though faster and more sensitive than phenotypic techniques, is more expensive. Resource limited settings are thus limited to using more of phenotypic rather than molecular methods in the routine detection of Extended Spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL).

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the performance of double disc synergy test (DSST) and Epsilometer (E) test with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and to detect the risk factors associated with ESBL producing organisms among in-patients at Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria.

Methodology

Hospital-based cross-sectional study in which bacterial isolates of 165 in-patients were collected fromMarch 2018 to September 2019. The isolates were evaluated for ESBL production by the use of DDST, Etest and PCR. The performance evaluation was done. Questionnaire was used to assess the risk factors associated with ESBL, IBM SPSS Version 23 was used to analyze the data.

Results

The participants' isolates yielded 50/165 (30.3%) that were ESBL positive by DDST, 47/165 (28.9%) by E-test and 48/165(29.1%) by PCR. Sensitivity and specificity of DSST was 100% and 98.3% while that of E-test was 98% and 100% respectively. Age, antibiotics intake without prescription, being on ventilator, urethral catheterization and nasogastric tubes were all significantly associated with presence of ESBL (p value <0.05).

Conclusion

Phenotypic tests remain reliable for the routine detection of ESBL in the absence of molecular methods. Rational use of instrumentation and antibiotics is advocated based on the risk factors detected from this study.

Antibiotic Resistant Pattern of K. pneumoniae and their Biofilm Development on Diverse Surfaces

The objective of the study is to determine the antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation of Klebsiella pneumoniae in different surfaces. In this study, 47 K. pneumoniae strains were procured from K.A.P. Viswanatham Government Medical College, Trichy, Tamil Nadu. All the isolates were reconfirmed through biochemical reactions. Maximum resistance was observed against Ampicillin, Cefepime, Cefotaxime, Co-trimoxazole, Aztreonam, and Imipenem. The lowest resistance was noticed against Cefuroxime. Among these 85% strains exhibited multidrug resistance with 13% was carbapenem and 98% ESBL resistant strains. The biofilm formation of all the strains in different surfaces revealed that stainless steel surface found to be adhered high number of cells than in other surfaces. Similarly, the biofilm formation of strains grown with glucose in tryptic soya broth (TSB) enhanced adherence ability. It is concluded that presence of glucose or any sugar substrates enhances the biofilm formation thereby developing high resistance against different antibiotics. This condition is detrimental to human health and causes considerable concern.

Isolation and Identification of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae Strains Resistant to the Oxyimino-Cephalosporins and the Monobactam by Production of GES Type Extended Spectrum Bêta-Lactamase (ESBL) at Saint Camille Hospital Center in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Background

Bacterial resistance to beta lactamins is a real public health problem as it complicates treatment strategies. Several types of beta lactamase confer this resistance. Numerous studies report a high prevalence of ESBL producers among Gram-negative bacilli. The objective of this work was to identify the presence of the resistance gene GES in strains of E. coli and K. pneumoniae in Burkina Faso.

Methods

During this study 39 strains of E. coli and K. pneumoniae resistant to oxyimino-cephalosporin and monobactam were collected in several samples and analyzed to determine the presence of the beta lactamase resistance gene Bla_GES by classic PCR.

Results

In the present study, resistant strains were observed in 21 E. coli and 18 K. pneumoniae. Among producers of ESBL isolates, the presence of the GES gene was detected up to 63% in E. coli and 37% in K pneumoniae.

Conclusion

This study highlighted the presence of the GES gene in strains of E. coli and K. pneumoniae resistant to oxyimino-cephalosporin and monobactam in Burkina Faso. This highlights the presence of new ESBL in Burkina, which is of great interest for the proper care of patients and the control of resistance to antibiotics.

Genetic Diversity, Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern, and Biofilm Formation in Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

Introduction

Patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are at risk for superadded infections, especially infections caused by multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of MDR infections, including infections caused by MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), was very high in Iran. This study is aimed at assessing the genetic diversity, antimicrobial resistance pattern, and biofilm formation in K. pneumoniae isolates obtained from patients with COVID-19 and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU) in Iran.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, seventy K. pneumoniae isolates were obtained from seventy patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in the ICU of Shahid Beheshti hospital, Kashan, Iran, from May to September, 2020. K. pneumoniae was detected through the ureD gene. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, and biofilm was detected using the microtiter plate assay method. Genetic diversity was also analyzed through polymerase chain reaction based on enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC-PCR). The BioNumerics software (v. 8.0, Applied Maths, Belgium) was used for analyzing the data and drawing dendrogram and minimum spanning tree. Findings. K. pneumoniae isolates had varying levels of resistance to antibiotics meropenem (80.4%), cefepime-aztreonam-piperacillin/tazobactam (70%), tobramycin (61.4%), ciprofloxacin (57.7%), gentamicin (55.7%), and imipenem (50%). Around 77.14% of isolates were MDR, and 42.8% of them formed biofilm. Genetic diversity analysis revealed 28 genotypes (E1-E28) and 74.28% of isolates were grouped into ten clusters (i.e., clusters A-J). Clusters were further categorized into three major clusters, i.e., clusters E, H, and J. Antimicrobial resistance to meropenem, tobramycin, gentamicin, and ciprofloxacin in cluster J was significantly higher than cluster H, denoting significant relationship between ERIC clusters and antimicrobial resistance. However, there was no significant difference among major clusters E, H, and J respecting biofilm formation.

Conclusion

K. pneumoniae isolates obtained from patients with COVID-19 have high antimicrobial resistance, and 44.2% of them have genetic similarity and can be clustered in three major clusters. There is a significant difference among clusters respecting antimicrobial resistance.

Low yield but high levels of multidrug resistance in urinary tract infections in a tertiary hospital, Nepal

SETTING

There are concerns about the occurrence of multidrug resistance (MDR) in patients with urine tract infections (UTI) in Nepal.

OBJECTIVE

To determine culture positivity, trends in MDR among Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae infections and seasonal changes in culture-positive UTI specimens isolated from 2014 to 2018 at the B P Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Eastern Nepal.

DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional study using secondary laboratory data.

RESULTS

Among 116,417 urine samples tested, 19,671 (16.9%) were culture-positive, with an increasing trend in the number of samples tested and culture positivity. E. coli was the most common bacteria (54.3%), followed by K. pneumoniae (8.8%). Among E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates, MDR was found in respectively 42.5% and 36.0%. MDR was higher in males and people aged >55 years, but showed a decreasing trend over the years. The numbers of isolates increased over the years, with a peak always observed from July to August.

CONCLUSION

Low culture positivity is worrying and requires further work into improving diagnostic protocols. Decreasing trends in MDR are a welcome sign. Information on seasonal changes that peak in July-August can help laboratories better prepare for this time with adequate buffer stocks to ensure culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing.

Comparative Study of ESBL Production Among Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Clinical Isolates from Pre- and Post-menopausal Women in Egypt

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is regarded one of the most frequent bacterial infections in women. Accordingly, the aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), as well as the degree of antimicrobial resistance among premenopausal (n = 44) and postmenopausal (n = 49) women suffering from uncomplicated UTI. Urinary samples (n = 93) collected from women with UTI were tested for their antimicrobial sensitivity and assessed for ESBL production by both phenotypic and genotypic methods. Phenotypically, the presence of ESBL was observed in 64 isolates, while polymerase chain reaction detected ESBL-encoding genes in 57 isolates. The CTX-M gene was the most predominant (51.6%), followed by TEM (46.2%), and the SHV gene (17.2%). Surprisingly, all ESBL-producing Escherichia coli isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study conducted in Egypt showing significant correlation between ESBL production, multidrug resistance and menopausal state in women. The results demonstrate alarming signal for the dissemination of ESBL genes among uropathogenic E. coli that are MDR in Egypt.

Evolution of the Antimicrobial resistance of Bacteria causing Urinary Tract Infections

BACKGROUND

The bacteria, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), are the main reasons for urinary tract infections (UTIs). This research aimed to investigate the isolation of etiologic agents from patients with UTI; it also investigates the antibiotic resistance activities and incidence of ESBL genes between different clinical separates of uropathogenic E. coli, determining their association with ESBL genes.

METHODS

The study enrolled 1000 positive growth isolates. The predominant pathogen associated with urinary tract infection, Gram-negative, were the main isolates from UTI patients, including E. coli, K. pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis.

RESULTS

Among suspicious cases of urinary tract infection, we showed that 15.2% of the patients had UTI, and female patients in the childbearing age group were more affected. 644 E. coli (64.4%) and 322 (32.2%) K. pneumoniae were more isolated. Among 936 (93.6%) ESBL producing bacteria, 614 (61.4 %) E. coli showedhigh resistance to the antibiotics, Cefotaxime (85.7 %), Cefepime (85.7 %), Ciprofloxacin (83.1 %) and Kanamycin (77.9 %). Most ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae were multidrug-resistant (MDR). Nitrofurantoin, gentamycin, and imipenem were the most effective antibiotics for ESBL-producing E. coli isolates.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that the high rates of MDR Escherichia coli infection in our hospital were frequentative reasons for UTI. Nitrofurantoin and aminoglycosides were the most beneficial first-line drugs to be applied in the cases of UTI. It is recommended to conduct regular investigations on the drug resistance of all isolates and formulate helpful antibiotic treatment policies in China. It is important to determine the prevalence of ESBL in urine E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates because it has a great influence on the selection of suitable antibacterial agents. In short, more than half of ESBL producers have multiple drug resistance (MDR).

Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of multidrug-resistant bacteria among intensive care units patients at Ain Shams University Hospitals in Egypt-a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

The nightmare of the rising numbers of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) requires the implementation of effective stewardship programs. However, this should be preceeded by making available  evidence-based knowledge regarding the local antimicrobial resistance pattern, which is fundamental. The aim of the current study is to determine the prevalence of MDRO among different Ain Shams University Hospitals (ASUHs) intensive care units (ICUs) and detect the resistance profile of the common pathogens.

RESULTS

The 1-year records of a total of 1280 pathogens were studied. The highest number of pathogens were isolated from blood cultures (44.84%), followed by urine (41.41%) then wound swabs (13.75%). Gram-negative isolates (57.5%) were more prevalent than gram-positive ones (31.1%). The most frequently isolated pathogens were Klebsiella spp. (22.5%), Escherichia coli (13.4%), and Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (12.5%). The highest percentage of resistance among gram-positive organisms was exhibited by penicillin (89.5%) followed by erythromycin (83.98%) and then cefoxitin (76.52%). None of the isolates showed resistance to linezolid and resistance to vancomycin was minimal (2.62%). Gram-negative isolates exhibited high overall resistance to all used antibiotic classes. The least frequency of resistance was recorded against nitrofurantoin (52.5%), amikacin (58.01%), followed by imipenem (59.78%) and meropenem (61.82%). All isolates of Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter showed 100% susceptibility to colistin.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of antibiotic resistance in Ain Shams University Hospitals (ASUHs) was high among both gram-negative and gram-positive organisms. This high resistance pattern foreshadows an inevitable catastrophe that requires continuous monitoring and implementation of effective antibiotic stewardship.

Prevalence, serotyping and drug susceptibility patterns of Escherichia coli isolates from kidney transplanted patients with urinary tract infections

BACKGROUND

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) are among the main pathogens in urinary tract infections (UTIs) among kidney transplant patients (KTPs).

AIM

To estimate the prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli in KTPs and to evaluate the most prevalent serotypes and antibacterial susceptibility patterns of isolated bacteria in Tehran, Iran.

METHODS

A total of 60 clinical isolates of uropathogenic E. coli were collected from 3 kidney transplant centers from April to May 2019. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the disk diffusion method as recommended by the Clinical Laboratory and Standards Institute. The serotyping of E. coli isolates was performed by the slide agglutination method. The presence of bla_TEM, bla_SHV, and bla_CTX-M genes was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

The frequency of ESBL-producing E. coli in KTPs was found to be 33.4%. All of the 60 E. coli isolates were found to be susceptible to doripenem (100%) and ertapenem (100%). High resistance rates to ampicillin (86%), cefotaxime (80%), and cefazolin (77%) were also documented. The most frequent serotypes were serotype I (50%), serotype II (15%), serotype III (25%), and serotype VI (10%). The gene most frequently found was bla_TEM (55%), followed by bla_CTX-M (51%) and bla_SHV (41%).

CONCLUSION

Molecular analysis showed that bla_TEM was the most common ESBL-encoding gene. The high resistance to β-lactams antibiotics (i.e., ampicillin, cefotaxime, and cefazolin) found in E. coli from KTPs with UTIs remains a serious clinical challenge. Further efforts to control ESBL-producing E. coli should include the careful use of all antibiotics as well as barrier precautions to reduce spread.

Prevalence of OXA-type Class D β-lactamases Among Clinical Isolates of Klebsiella Pneumoniae in Multiple Centers of Tehran, Iran

BACKGROUND

Drug- and multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates have been found worldwide. Treatment failures against carbapenems and extended-spectrum cephalosporins, the currently recommended drugs, contribute to consider K. pneumoniae infections as untreatable infections. The emergence and spread of oxacillinases (OXAs) with carbapenem-hydrolyzing properties are a major concern and seriously become a public health problem worldwide. The present study was aimed to explore the bla_OXA genes among clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae in some clinical settings in Tehran, Iran.

METHODS

A total of 90 K. pneumoniae isolates were collected from different clinical samples at hospitals in Tehran during the year 2016 and 2018. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on bacterial isolates using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar plates. PCR experiments were carried out to detect the presence of the bla_OXA genes, including bla_{OXA- 1}, bla_OXA-2, bla_OXA-4, bla_OXA10, and bla_OXA-48-like, using specific primers.

RESULTS

The antibiotics susceptibility results showed that 41% of the K. pneumoniae isolates were resistant to imipenem and meropenem. Resistance rates for cephalosporin agents, including cefpodoxime, ceftazidime, cefuroxime, cefotaxime, and cefepime, were measured as 72.3%, 67.8%, 67.7%, 65.5%, and 60%, respectively. In the present study, 51.1% of isolates were classified as multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae strains. The molecular assays showed that 56.6% of isolates harbored bla_OXA-2. In addition, bla_OXA-4, bla_OXA-1, bla_OXA-10, and bla_OXA-48-like genes were also found in 16.7%, 5.6%, 1.1%, and 1.1% of isolates, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The spread of bla_OXAs, especially bla_OXA-48-like, among K. pneumoniae isolates indicated the inadequate dissemination control of multidrug-resistant bacteria in the Iranian hospital environment. There is a reason to assume that OXA producing K. pneumoniae will limit clinical therapeutic options in the future and pose threats to national public health among the Iranian population.

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles for Different Isolates in Aden, Yemen: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Resource-Poor Setting

Background

There is a rapid deterioration in the effectiveness of antibiotics due to the global prevalence of bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR can cause an increase in mortality and morbidity due to treatment failures and a lack of effective therapy.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the AMR pattern of different bacterial isolates at hospitals and laboratories.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional study from March 2019 to June 2019 was conducted at different governmental and private hospitals and laboratories in Aden, Yemen. Age, sex, specimen type, bacterial isolates, and antibiotic susceptibility pattern were collected using a data extraction sheet. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.

Result

Data were recorded for 412 patients from whom 20 clinical specimens were collected and analyzed. The most common bacteria isolated were Staphylococcus spp. (n = 172, 41.74%), E. coli (n = 164, 39.80%), Pseudomonas spp. (n = 37, 8.98%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 18, 4.36%); other bacteria were less common. The overall bacterial resistance was highest against the combination of sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim (73.12%), followed by amoxicillin and clavulanate (65.19%). The cephalosporin antibiotics also showed high resistance rates. The study also showed moderate bacterial resistance to gentamycin (32.65%), azithromycin (29.92%), cefoxitin (62.65%), and ciprofloxacin (25.60%). Ertapenem (16.67%) and levofloxacin (15.56%) had the lowest resistance rates.

Conclusion

There was a high percentage of bacteria resistant to several antibiotics. Antibiotic susceptibility testing is a prerequisite guide for the selection of appropriate antibiotic therapy for bacterial infections.

Investigation of Integron-Associated Resistance Gene Cassettes in Urinary Isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae in Yasuj, Southwestern Iran During 2015-16

BACKGROUND

Growing antibiotic resistance among urinary opportunistic pathogens such as Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumonia) has created a worrisome condition in the treatment of the Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) in recent years. Integrons play a significant role in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes. The present study was conducted to investigate class 1-3 integrons and the corresponding resistance gene cassettes in urinary K. pneumoniae isolates.

METHODS

In this study, from December 2015 to September 2016, a total of 196 K. pneumoniae isolates were collected from the patients with UTI referred to medical diagnostic laboratories in Yasouj, Southwestern Iran. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns of isolates were determined using 12 antibiotics by the disc diffusion method. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used for detection of integron genes (intI1, intI2, and intI3). The variable regions of integrons were amplified by PCR and sequenced to identify the corresponding gene cassettes.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine different antibiotic resistance profiles were observed among K. pneumoniae isolates. Only 12.2% of K. pneumoniae isolates were found to harbor the intI1 gene. While 17 (60.7%) out of 28 Multidrug Resistance (MDR) K. pneumoniae isolates carried the intI1 gene, only 4.2% of non-MDR isolates harbored intI1 gene. Totally 7 different gene cassette arrays were found in the intI1 gene of K. pneumoniae isolates. The aadA1 was the most prominent gene cassette. Also, high frequency of dfrA containing gene cassettes was observed.

CONCLUSION

Continuous monitoring and characterization of integrons and their associated gene cassettes could be helpful in controlling the rising rate of antibiotic resistance.

Biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from clinical samples in a tertiary care hospital, Klaten, Indonesia

Background

Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) is a common cause of health-care associated infections (HAIs) and has high levels of antibiotic resistance. These bacteria are well-known for their ability to produce biofilm. The purpose of this study was to identify the antibiotic resistance pattern and biofilm-producing capacity of K. pneumoniae isolated from clinical samples in a tertiary care hospital in Klaten, Indonesia.

Methods

K. pneumoniae was isolated from inpatients in Soeradji Tirtonegoro Hospital Klaten from June 2017 to May 2018. Identification of K. pneumoniae isolate was done by analyzing colony morphology, microscopic examination, and by performing biochemical testing. Testing of antibiotics susceptibility and biofilm-producing capacity used the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method and adherence quantitative assays, respectively.

Results

A total of 167 (17.36%) K. pneumoniae isolates were isolated from 962 total clinical bacterial isolates during the study. Most of them were collected from patients aged more than 60 years old and were mainly obtained from respiratory specimens (51.50%). Most of K. pneumoniae isolates were extensively resistant to antibiotics. A more favorable profile was found only towards meropenem, amikacin, and piperacillin-tazobactam, showing 1.20%; 4.79% and 10.53% of resistance, respectively. The overall proportion of multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates was 54.49%. In addition, 148 (85.63%) isolates were biofilm producers, with 45 (26.95%) isolates as strong, 48 (28.74%) isolates as moderate, and 50 (29.94%) isolates as weak biofilm producers.

Conclusion

Most of the K. pneumoniae isolates demonstrated resistance to a wide range of antibiotics and are biofilm producers.

Preliminary survey of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) in nosocomial uropathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae in north-central Iran

Infections caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) producing bacteria, including Klebsiella pneumoniae have increasingly subjected to therapeutic limitations and patients with these infections are at high risk for treatment failure, long hospital stays, high health care costs, and high mortality. The aim of this study was to screen the prevalence of the bla_TEM,bla_CTX-M and bla_SHV ESBL genes in K. pneumoniae strains isolated from nosocomial urinary tract infections (UTIs). During the March 2016 to December 2017, one hundred isolates of K. pneumoniae were collected from urine specimens of patients suffering from nosocomial UTI referred to Khatam Al-Anbia hospital in Shahrud, north-central Iran. All isolates were identified by standard bacteriological tests. The pattern of antibiotic susceptibility was determined according to the CLSI guidelines. The presence of the ESBLs was investigated using the double-disc synergy test (DDST). Polymerase chain reaction technique was used to detect the bla_TEM, bla_CTX-M and bla_SHV genes in DDST positive isolates. Most isolates showed remarkable resistance to tested antibiotics with highest rate against nitrofurantoin (75%) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (65%). The imipenem was the most effective antibiotic against K. pneumoniae isolates. ESBL phenotype was detected in 50 (50%) of isolates. The prevalence of bla_TEM, bla_CTX-M and bla_SHV genes among 50 ESBLs-positive isolates was 25 (50%), 15 (30%) and 35 (70%) respectively. The bla_TEM and bla_SHV genes were seen in 25 isolates (50%) simultaneously. The findings of this study indicated the 50% frequency rate of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae in our geographic region. Since the treatment of infections caused by this bacterium is associated with many limitations, this high prevalence is a warning sign to adopt new control policies to prevent further spread of this microorganism.

Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella Pneumoniae in Iran: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The global emergence and dissemination of carbapenem-resistant (CR)-Klebsiella pneumoniae is an important healthcare concern owing to the limited therapeutic options that are available. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of CR K. pneumoniae in different parts of Iran. A comprehensive literature search was performed in national and international databases. After applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 36 articles reporting prevalence of CR K. pneumoniae were collected. The pooled prevalence of CR K. pneumoniae was estimated to be 11.3% (95% CI: 0.084-0.15). The highest and lowest prevalence rates of CR K. pneumoniae were in Isfahan 58% (95% CI: 0.48-0.67) and Tehran 0.004 (95% CI: 0.00-0.05), respectively. The highest and lowest resistance rates were seen against aztreonam (55%, 95% CI: 0.48-0.62) and amikacin (23%, (95% CI: 0.17-0.29), respectively. The findings of the present study revealed that the prevalence of CR K. pneumoniae is alarmingly high in the majority of Iranian hospitals.

Multidrug-resistant bacterial isolates from patients suspected of nosocomial infections at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Objectives

As the hospital environment favors the circulation of drug resistant bacteria, continuous surveillance of antibiotic resistant patterns is an important approach for a better patient management. This study is therefore, aimed to assess multidrug resistant bacterial isolates from patients suspected of nosocomial infections at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Gondar, Ethiopia.

Results

Of the 260 patients, 173 (66.5%) of them were culture positive. Among culture positive patients a total of 216 bacterial isolates were recovered, of which the most common species were S. aureus 77 (35.6%), followed by E. coli 33 (15.3%) and Klebsiella spp 29 (13.4%). Of the S. aureus isolates, 67.5% were cefoxitin (methicillin) resistant. Citrobacter spp (100%), Klebsiella spp (79.3%) and E. coli (75.3%) were the leading MDR Gram-negative isolates. The overall MDR resistant rate was 152 (70.4%).

Characterization of Klebsiella pneumoniae associated with cattle infections in southwest China using multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), antibiotic resistance and virulence-associated gene profile analysis

Klebsiella pneumoniae is important human and animal pathogen that causes a wide spectrum of infections. In this study, isolates from cattle nasal swabs samples were identified by 16S rRNA, and to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility, virulence gene carrying levels, and multilocus sequence typing of K. pneumoniae isolates. 33 isolates of K. pneumoniae were isolated and identified in 213 nasal swabs samples, of which 12 were hypervirulent K. pneumoniae strains. Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases genes were found in 93.4% of the strains. Of which, TEM was the most prevalent (93.4%), followed by CTX-M and SHV were 57.6% and 39.4%, respectively. A main mutation pattern of quinoloneresistance-determining region, Thr83-Ieu and Asp87-Asn in gyrA and Ser87-Ile in parC, was detected in 33 K. pneumoniae isolates. All the isolates harbored at least two virulence factor genes, with ureA (97.0%) and wabG (91.0%) exhibiting high carriage rates in 33 K. pneumoniae isolates. MLST revealed 7 sequence types, of which 3 STs (2541, 2581 and 2844) were newly assigned. Using eBURST, ST2844 and ST2541 were assigned to new clonal complex 2844. Our study provides evidence and biological characteristics of K. pneumoniae isolates from cattle upper respiratory tract in Southwest China.

Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern and Spectrum of Multiple-drug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Iranian Hospitalized Patients with Cancer

Background:

Nosocomial infections are one of the most leading causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. The emergence of multiple-drug-resistant (MDR) strains of Gram-negative bacteria causing nosocomial infection has become a serious concern in cancer patients. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the spectrum and antibiotic resistance pattern of Gram-negative bacteria related nosocomial infections among Iranian cancer patients.

Materials and Methods:

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted during the 6 months from December 2015 to May 2016 in two tertiary care centers located in Isfahan and Arak Province. Gram-negative bacteria obtained from different clinical specimens from hospitalized patients with cancer and were identified using standard microbiological methods. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern was determined by the disk diffusion method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) recommendation.

Results:

Of totally 259 culture positive cases, Escherichia coli showed the highest isolation rate (60.6%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (26.6%) and Proteus spp (11.2%). The rate of MDR isolates were 91.5% (237/259). Overall, the most frequent source of bacterial isolation was urinary tract infection (65.6%) followed by skin and soft-tissue infection (23.6%). The antibiotic susceptibility results showed meropenem (MEN) and ceftazidime as the most effective antibiotics for E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and Proteus spp. isolates. Moreover, MEN was the most effective antibiotic against MDR isolates.

Conclusion:

The study findings showed a significant distribution of MDR Gram-negative bacteria which may increase the burden of healthcare-associated infections in cancer patients. Although, carbapenem can be considered as effective agents toward MDR strains for empirical antibiotic therapy in our region.

Prevalence of CTX-M and TEM β-lactamases in Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates from Patients with Urinary Tract Infection, Al-Zahra Hospital, Isfahan, Iran

Background:

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing is a significant resistant mechanism to β-lactams in Enterobacteriaceae, especially in Klebsiella pneumoniae. The main objectives of this study were to genetically characterize urinary clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae through the investigating of blaTEM, blaCTX-M and using molecular typing by Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR) method. We also determined the frequency of antibiotic resistance of K. pneumoniae strains to characterize the β-lactamases included.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate 98 strains of K. pneumoniae isolated from urine culture of outpatients referred to Al-Zahra Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using Kirby–Bauer's method. Screening of ESBLs was carried out using double-disk screening test. PCR technique was performed to detect TEM and CTX-M genes. The total DNA of each strain was tested by ERIC-PCR.

Results:

In 98 K. pneumoniae studied clinical isolates, 25.5% were ESBL producing and 44.9% multidrug-resistant (MDR). From 25 ESBL isolates, 23 (92%) cases showed MDR phenotype. In ESBL producing isolates, 23 (92%) were blaCTX-M and 19 (76%) blaTEM positive. The antimicrobial drug susceptibilities of ESBL isolates indicated high resistant rates for cefotaxime and ceftazidime. All 25 ESBL producing isolates were resistant to cefotaxime. Complex patterns of fingerprints isolates showed that 36% of the isolates were belonged to the cluster no 5.

Conclusion:

This study revealed high antimicrobial resistance rates among ESBL isolates which can lead to various health difficulties. Epidemiological data collection from patients is recommended to develop the strategies to manage antibiotic resistance.

Escherichia coli in Iran: An Overview of Antibiotic Resistance: A Review Article

BACKGROUND

Escherichia coli is the most prominent cause of infectious diseases that span from the gastrointestinal tract to extra-intestinal sites such as urinary tract infection, septicaemia, and neonatal meningitis. The emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance in E. coli is an increasing public health concern across the world. Rising resistance in E. coli isolates is also observed in Iran. This review summarizes the status of antibiotic resistance of E. coli isolates in Iran from 2007 to 2016.

METHODS

The data of the prevalence of E. coli antibiotic resistance were collected from databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar and Scientific Information Database.

RESULTS

Antibiotic resistance in E. coli is on the rise.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of antibiotic resistance of E. coli varies from region to region in Iran.

Susceptibility of Austrian Clinical Klebsiella and Enterobacter Isolates Linked to Patient-Related Data

The aim of the study was to analyze the antimicrobial susceptibility of Austrian clinical Klebsiella sp. and Enterobacter sp. isolates linked to patient-related data over a time period from 1998 to 2014. The main findings of this study were (i) a marked difference of antibiotic susceptibility rates between different infection sites for both Klebsiella sp. and Enterobacter sp., (ii) significantly greater percentages of resistant isolates among both Klebsiella sp. and Enterobacter sp. in male patients compared to female patients and (iii) significantly greater percentages of resistant isolates among both Klebsiella sp. and Enterobacter sp. from hospital-derived samples compared to samples from the community. In conclusion, our statistical data analysis clearly indicated a strong association of patient-related data and Klebsiella sp. and Enterobacter sp. susceptibility profiles.