Detection of prevalent mechanism of extended spectrum β-lactamases, metallo β-lactamases, and AmpC β lactamases-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in the tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Increasing trends of resistance to antibiotics because of production of β-lactamases, such as carbapenamase-mediated resistance and extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL), are the most widespread mechanisms documented in Klebsiella pneumoniae. The objective of this study was to understand the prevalent mechanisms of resistance among the clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant (MDR) K. pneumonia from inpatients of a tertiary care hospital at Baghdad, Iraq. Among the 97 MDR K. pneumoniae isolates, 47.4% (n = 46) isolates showed ESBL production, 38.7% (n = 38) showed metallo β-lactamase (MBL) production, and 22.7% (n = 22) showed both ESBL and MBLs production. Out of 97 MDR K. pneumoniae, 94.3% were found to be biofilm producers. ESBL production was the predominant mechanism of resistance followed by MBL production. Since very limited therapeutic options are available, increasing resistance mechanisms among these organisms is an 'alarming sign'.