Carriage of NDM & IMP Carbapenem resistance genes among Escherichia coli & Klebsiela pneumoniae human isolates from Mbarara

Abstract

Introduction Carbapenem, a β-lactam that is really potent against Gram- negative bacteria, has been recognized as a last resort for treating of infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. However, the increasing number of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is unexpected despite infection control efforts, and it poses a great challenge to clinics worldwide. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Carbapenem resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae from clinical isolates from Mbarara. Methodology This was a cross-sectional study with a total of 30 clinical samples previously obtained from stool samples. Following culturing of all the isolates using Lysogenic broth (LB) for 24 hours, the genomic DNA was extracted using CTAB extraction method and the genes amplified by Conventional PCR. The amplicons were analyzed by gel electrophoresis and visualized under UV light. Results The study found that 5 of 30 isolates were either resistant to NDM or IMP but not both. 3/30 (30%) isolates were resistant to NDM and 2/30 (6.7%) resistant IMP. Therefore, this study recorded a high prevalence of NDM gene than IMP. Conclusion Resistance to carbapenems is on the rise and this is limiting the clinical management of infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae by physicians in Uganda. Therefore, there is a need for antibiotic monitoring programs before the situation exacerbates.