Prevalence of new delhi metallo beta-Lactamase (NDM) producing gram-Negative bacteria from different tertiary care hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Carbapenem resistance conferred by metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) has increasingly being reported worldwide among Enterobacteriaceae. In this study, 240 non repetitive gram negative clinical isolates were studied for antimicrobial resistance. Presence of bla NDM was determined by polymerase chain reaction. Among 240 strains, prevalence of MBL in K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, E. coli and Acinetobacter Species was 26%, 52%, 27% and 5% respectively. Prevalence of blaNDM-1 gene was 51% identified in 14 strains of P. aeruginosa, 2 strains of A. Baumanni, 29 strains of E. coli and 18 strains of K. pneumoniae. In conclusion, high prevalence of blaNDM-1 in our strains is a serious concern. A careful use of carbapenems is important to prevent the spread of these organisms.