Molecular characterization of Citrobacter freundii isolated from neonates in neonatal intensive care unit of Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Nosocomial Citrobacter spp. is emerging as a successful nosocomial pathogen in neonates in Nepal. The important risk factor being poor infection prevention and control practices. The objective of this study was to investigate the clonal relatedness of Citrobacter freundii isolated from clinical and non-clinical sources in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and to determine the presence of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) genes and class 1 integron element. Materials and Methods: Polymerase chain Reaction (PCR) and PCR-Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA typing of the isolates were performed in three isolates to amplify class 1 integron element integrase gene, ESBL genes, and to study the clonal relatedness, respectively. Results: Two isolates harbored class 1 integron element. The bla CTX-M was present in all isolates and bla TEM-1 was present in one isolate. An isolate carried bla CTX-M and bla TEM-1 genes. All of these isolates were not clonally related. Conclusion: The study for the first time documented the emergence and spread of ESBL genes and class 1 integron element in multidrug resistant C. freundii in Nepal and urge for monitoring and surveillance of these strains.