Molecular characterization of carbapenemases production among environmental Gram-negative isolates at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: first detection of NDM Producers in hospital environments

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INTRODUCTION: The Gram-Negative bacteria, particularly carbapenem-resistant strains (CR-GNB), pose a global health threat due to high morbidity and mortality. Detecting carbapenemase-encoding genes is essential for understanding their spread in hospital environments. This study investigated environmental colonization by CR-GNB in Ethiopian hospitals, including genetic characterization of resistance genes. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study analyzed 103 environmental GNB isolates collected from inanimate surfaces at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH) and ALERT Hospital (June-September 2021). Conventional microbiological methods identified the isolates, and antimicrobial susceptibility was tested using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Carbapenemase production was screened using the Modified Hodge test (MHT) and combined disk test (CDT). Resistance genes (blaKPC, blaNDM, blaOXA-48) were detected via PCR in isolates with reduced meropenem susceptibility. RESULTS: The predominant GNB were Acinetobacter baumannii (47%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (33%), and E. coli (12%). Among 103 isolates, 62% showed reduced meropenem susceptibility. The most common CR-GNB was Acinetobacter baumannii (37.5%), followed by E. coli (18.8%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (12.5%). Carbapenemase production was detected in 41.7% of isolates via PCR, with blaNDM being the most common (43 isolates). Linens (26.4%) and beds (21.4%) had the highest contamination rates. Most carbapenemase-producing isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of blaNDM and blaKPC genes highlights hospital surfaces as reservoirs for resistance genes, contributing to healthcare-associated infections. Routine surveillance and early detection of carbapenemase producers are crucial for infection control and antimicrobial resistance management.