Carriage of NDM & IMP Carbapenem resistance genes among E. coli & K. pneumoniae isolates from Mbarara hospital.

Abstract

Background: The increasing prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae strains is related to high mortality and it is increasing around the world. Among the Enterobacteriaceae family, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli are among the most common agents of community- and hospital-acquired infections and have reportedly high incidence of carbapenem-resistance. Thus, the purposes of this work were to estimate the frequency of NDM and IMP carbapenem-resistant genes in K. pneumoniae and E. coli in isolates from Mbarara. Methods: This was a laboratory-based study conducted between December and February 2022, using of isolates of E. coli and K. pneumonia from stool samples from Mbarara, Uganda. NDM and IMP genes were detected using molecular method (PCR) at Molecular Laboratory, Makerere University. Results: We found that the prevalence Carbapenem-resistant E. coli was 15.6%, with NDM contributing 9.4%) and IMP contributing 6.3%. Conclusion: The prevalence of NDM and IMP is high. This is a great public health concern. We should comply with measures for controlling infection.