Phenotypic and molecular characterization of extended-spectrum β-lactamase/AmpC- and carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in Iran

Background The objective of the current study is to evaluate the phenotypic and molecular characterization of ESBL/AmpC- and carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae isolates in Iran. Methods From October 2018 until the end of April 2020, different clinical samples were collected and K. pneumoniae isolates were identified using conventional biochemical tests and PCR assay. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern was determined using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method. Modified Hedge Test (MHT) was applied to the identification of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae . ESBL and AmpC-producing K. pneumoniae were detected using Double Disc Test (DDT) and Disc Potentiation Test (DPT), respectively. The presence of carbapenemase, ESBL, and AmpC encoding genes was screened by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay. Results A total of 100 K. pneumoniae isolates were collected. K. pneumoniae isolates had the highest resistance rate to cefazolin (66%) and cefotaxime (66%). Meropenem and amikacin with sensitivity rates of 76% and 69% were the most effective antimicrobial agents on K. pneumoniae isolates. It was found that 12 (12%), 27 (27%), and 9 (9%) K. pneumoniae isolates were positive in MHT, DDT, and DPT tests, respectively. Among the carbapenemase-encoding genes, bla OXA−48 (24%) and bla IMP (13%) genes had the highest frequency, while bla KPC and bla GIM genes were not detected among K. pneumoniae isolates. bla TEM (48%) and bla CMY (8%) genes had the highest frequency among ESBL and AmpC β-lactamase-encoding genes, respectively. Conclusions It is vital to adopt effective control strategies for K. pneumoniae infections and ensure rapid identification of antibiotic resistance profile.