Carbapenem Resistant Klebsiella Pneumoniae – An Emerging Global Threat

Abstract

Introduction: The main concern in the 21st century is antibiotic resistance. Early detection of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella
pneumoniae infections can lower morbidity and death rates. Due to a shortage of alternative medicines, multidrug-resistant (MDR) and
carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumonia have become major therapeutic challenges in various countries. To ascertain the frequency
of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates and their antibiogram profile is done in order to create therapeutic and infectioncontrol
advice.
Materials and Methods: A total of 366 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates collected from various clinical samples are subjected to initial
identification and they are screened and confirmed for carbapenemase production by phenotypic methods based on CLSI and for
genotypic detection polymerase chain reaction is done.
Results: Among them, 90 isolates showed carbapenem resistance. 90 isolates of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae were
subjected to phenotypic detection of carbapenemase enzyme synthesis using MHT, mCIM, and eCIM. Out of which, 75 isolates showed
positive for MHT, 80 isolates showed positive for mCIM, 70 isolates showed positive for eCIM. In genotypic detection 80 isolates were
positive for mCIM. PCR is performed for mCIM positive isolates in which the NDM gene was positive for 70 isolates and KPC the
gene was positive for 10 isolates these PCR findings correlate with the phenotypic detection method mCIM and eCIM respectively.
Discussion: In this study, confirmatory tests mCIM (Carbapenemase detection) were determined to be the most significant and reliable
method. Also, it can be performed in routine microbiological testing. Since these correlate with results of PCR, this will aid in the
detection of antibiotic resistance and judicious use of antibiotics.