Prevalence of Carbapenemases among Klebsiella pneumoniae Strains Isolated from Respiratory Tract Specimens

Background: The intensive use of carbapenems has resulted in the emergence of carbapenem-resistant isolates. Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae has rapidly emerged as a major pathogen among carbapenemase-producing bacteria. Objectives: We aimed to characterize 28 Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from respiratory specimens in Assiut University Hospitals, Egypt from May 2015 to August 2015. Methodology: We characterized the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Klebsiella pneumoniae by disk diffusion method. Detection of carbapenemase genes (blaKPC-1, blaVIM-1, blaVIM-2, blaIMP-1, blaIMP-2, and bla-SPM-1) was performed by polymerase chain reaction. Results: Patients infected by Klebsiella pneumoniae experienced different types of respiratory infections. Carbapenemase genes were detected in 12 (43%) Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. blaKPC-1 was found in 9 (32%) isolates, blaVIM-1 was detected in two (7%) isolates, and blaIMP-1 gene was expressed by two (7%) isolates. blaVIM-2, blaIMP-2, and blaSPM-1 genes were not expressed by any of the isolates. Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae showed higher resistance rates to carbapenems and other antibiotics. Conclusion: The high resistance rates in our carbapenemase-producing strains impose limitations in the therapeutic options available. This should alert the medical authorities of our University to establish rigorous methods for more efficiently control the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes in the hospital environment.