Prevalence and characterization of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales among inpatients and outpatients in Skikda, Algeria

Introduction: The spread of Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPEs) has become a significant concern in Algeria, with limited data available on their presence in community settings. This research investigated the resistance mechanisms of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CREs) collected from hospitals and the community in Skikda city, Algeria, between December 2020 and June 2022. Methodology: The study collected Enterobacterales strains resistant to ertapenem from inpatient and outpatient populations. An automated system was used for identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing. beta-lactamase production was evaluated through phenotypic tests and confirmed by standard PCR. Lastly, the carbapenemase genes were sequenced using the Sanger method. Results: 17 CRE were isolated, with 9 from inpatients and 8 from outpatients. These isolates belonged to four species: Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 8), Escherichia coli (n = 6), Enterobacter cloacae (n = 1), and Proteus mirabilis (n = 1). Of 15 CPEs, 11 were extended -spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs) positive, 5 were plasmid-mediated cephalosporinase (AmpC) positive, and 1 harbored all three beta-lactamases. All metallo beta-lactamase-producing strains carried the New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase gene ( bla NDM ), including 5 NDM-1 and 7 NDM-5 variants. The presence of blaOXA-48 and blaOXA-244 was observed in one outpatient strain each. NDM was associated with Cefotaximase Munich (CTXM) ESBL in 8 isolates, while Cephamycinase (CMY) was detected in 3 NDM-5-producing E. coli. Conclusions: This research highlights the rising prevalence of carbapenemases NDM-1 and NDM-5 among inpatients and outpatients and supports the notion that OXA-48 is becoming increasingly widespread beyond Algerian hospitals.