Detection of bla kpc gene among carbapenemase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from different clinical specimens at tertiary care hospital of Nepal

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Abstract Background Klebsiella pneumoniae infections have become a major cause of hospital acquired infection worldwide with the increased rate of acquisition of resistance to antibiotics. Carbapenem resistance mainly among Gram negative is an ongoing problem which causes serious outbreaks dramatically limiting treatment options. This prospective cross-sectional study was designed to detect blaKPC gene from carbapenem resistant K. pneumoniae. Materials and Methods This prospective cross-sectional study was designed to detect blaKPC gene from carbapenem resistant K. pneumoniae. A totally of 1118 different clinical specimen were processed and screened for KPC producing K. pneumoniae phenotypically using Meropenem (10µg) disc. The blaKPC gene was amplified from the isolates of K. pneumoniae to detect the presence of this gene. Of the total samples processed, 18.6% (n = 36) were K. pneumoniae with 61.1% (n = 22) meropenem resistant. All isolates were susceptible to polymyxin B. This study demonstrated the higher level of MDR 91.7% (n = 33) and KPC production 47.2% (n = 17) among K. pneumoniae isolates. The blaKPC gene was detected in 8.3% (n = 3) of Meropenem resistant isolates. Result A totally of 1118 different clinical specimens were processed and screened for KPC producing K. pneumoniae phenotypically using Meropenem (10µg) disc. The blaKPC gene was amplified from the isolates of K. pneumoniae to detect the presence of this gene. Of the total samples processed, 18.6% (n = 36) were K. pneumoniae with 61.1% (n = 22) meropenem resistant. All isolates were susceptible to polymyxin B. This study demonstrated the higher level of MDR 91.7% (n = 33) and KPC production 47.2% (n = 17) among K. pneumoniae isolates. The blaKPC gene was detected in 8.3% (n = 3) of meropenem resistant isolates. Conclusion Since the study demonstrates the higher level of MDR and KPC producing K. pneumonia isolates that has challenged the use of antimicrobial agents, continuous microbiology, and molecular surveillance to assist early detection and minimize the further dissemination of blaKPC should be initiated. We anticipate that the findings of this study will be useful in understanding the prevalence of KPC-producing K. pneumoniae in Nepal.