High Prevalence of New Delhi Metallo-beta-Lactamase (NDM) producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in Al Najaf province

Abstract

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-KP) particularly New Delhi metallo-B-lactamase (NDM) is a serious public health concern globally. The aim of the study to determine the molecular epidemiology of bla_NDM-producing clinically isolated K. pneumoniae Methods: about 121 K. pneumoniae clinical isolates were collection from Private Laboratories and Public Health Laboratory in Najaf province during the period of study,  determine the antibiotic susceptibility of K. pneumoniae  isolates by using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method to 25 antimicrobial agents according to the CLSI (2021). Molecular detection for MBL genes by multiplex PCR Results: Antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that from 121 K. pneumoniae clinical isolates CR-KP isolates had represented in 17(14%). All isolates of CR-KP were extensively drug-resistant (XDR). Frequency of CR-KP isolates among 23 XDR K. pneumoniae isolates were 17 (73.9%). The PCR data of MBL genes revealed that the frequency of MBL genes among XDR K. pneumoniae as following blaNDM, and blaIMP  were 73.9% and 8.7% respectively Conclusion: Among the XDR K. pneumoniae isolates, bla_NDM was the most prevalent carbapenemase gene. The extensivlely resistant lineage of NDM-producing K. pneumoniae is prevalent in the clinical setting.