ABSTRACT
Background and Objective Multidrug resistance is emerging worldwide at an alarming rate among a variety of bacterial species, causing both community-acquired and nosocomial infections, including Enterobacteriaceae. The clinical utility of carbapenems, the agents of last resort against multi-drug resistant Enterobacteriaceae, is under threat with the growing incidence of pan resistant isolates. This study aims to determine the prevalence of carbapenemase production among Enterobacteriaceae, as such data is not available from this area. Materials and Methods The study, prospective in design, was conducted during the period from April 2016 - August 2018. Any isolate reistant to IMP and/or MRP were subjected to phenotypic detection (Modified Hodge Test, MHT and Double Disk Synergy Test, DDST) and genotypic (blaIMP, blaKPC, blaVIM, blaOXA-48, blaOXA-23, blaOXA-51, blaOXA-58 and blaNDM) basis of carbapenamase production. Result: A total of 218 consecutive isolates of Enterobacteriaceae, which were resistant to IMP and/or MRP, were considered for the study. The most common isolates of Enterobacteriaceae were Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=122, 55.5%) followed by Escherichia coli (n=80, 36.4%). Modified Hodge Test (MHT) were positive for 12, 02 and Double Disc Synergy Test (DDST) were 11, 05 for Klebsiella and E.coli respectively. Multiplex PCR I and II, was performed for 36 isolates. The carbapenemase producing organisms were positive for 60% for single gene and 36% for multiple genes. Conclusion: Delay in detection of carbapenemase producing organisms result in longer hospitalization and increased health-care cost and this further affects the morbidity and mortality of patients in hospital set up.