Beta-lactam resistance profiles of Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical strains isolated in the Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital of Monastir

Imen Chatti^1,2 , Hajer Rhim ^1,2 , Maha Mastouri ^1,2

¹ Faculty of Pharmacy Monastir  ² Laboratory of Microbiology, CHU Fattouma Bourguiba Monastir
  imenchatti9@gmail.com

Introduction: Carbapenemase multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infections are an important cause of hospital morbidity and mortality. During this decade, carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella have emerged in different regions of the world.

Objective: The objective of this work is to determine, by phenotypic tests, the mechanisms of resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains to carbapenems and the nature of the betalactamase responsible for antibiotic resistance.

Materials and methods: Retrospective study covering the period from January 2019 to December 2020. It focused on isolates of carbapenem-resistant klebsiella  pneumoniae (KpRC) isolated in the microbiology laboratory of the Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital of Monastir. The bacteriological identification and the antibiogram were carried out by the VITEK technique.

The research of carbapenemases was done by 3 methods such as the Carba -NP test, the CIM test and the combined disc test.

Results: 120 KpRC strains were isolated during the study period, representing a prevalence of 13%. 75% were producers of a class D carbapenemase, 20% of class B and 5% of class A.

Conclusion: Detection of resistance enzymes may help in the process of managing the spread of these multidrug-resistant strains.

Key words: Klebsiella pneumoniae, carbapenemases, phenotypic characterization.