Molecular Characterisation of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae from Intensive Care Units

Objective: To determine the molecular characterisation of carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae (CRE) from patients admitted in intensive care units (ICUs) of a tertiary care hospital. Study Design: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), SZABMU, Islamabad, Pakistan, from July 2015 to March 2016. Methodology: Fifty isolates of CRE from intensive care units samples were processed, collected through samples coming from ICUs. Specimens were cultured on blood and Mac Conkey agar, and organisms were identified. Resistant organisms to imipenem and meropenem were preserved in glycerol broth at -80 degrees C. Their molecular characterisation was done using the conventional PCR targeting NDM, KPC, VIM and IMP genes. Results: Out of 50 samples, 13 (26%) were from urine, 13 (26%) from endotracheal tube tip, 7 (14%) from blood, 7 (14%) from pus, 7 (14%) from tracheal secretions, 2 (4%) from fluids, and 1 (2%) from catheter tip. NDM genes was isolated in 56% isolates. VIM, KPC, and IMP genes were not found in any isolates. NDM positive isolates included 86% Klebsiella pneumonia, 10% Escherichia coli, and 4% Klebsiella oxytoca. Conclusion: NDM gene was present in 28 (56%) samples. Whereas, VIM gene, KPC gene, and IMP genes were not detected in the CRE samples.