Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns and Molecular Characterization of <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>in Clinical Isolates at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the most frequent opportunistic pathogens causing a range of infections and being resistant for beta-lactamases (ESBL) and Carbapenemases. Aim: The aim of the present study was to determine the antimicrobial resistance patterns and molecular characterization establishing the phenotypes and genotypes associated with drug resistance, an antibiogram of genotypically positive isolates for resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae in clinical isolates at MRRH. Materials and Methods: A laboratory-based descriptive cross-sectional study that was conducted from September 2018 to May 2019 at MRRH. Klebsiella pneumoniae was identified by cultural and biochemical methods. Antibiotic sensitivity test was performed by modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique. ESBL production in Klebsiella pneumoniae was tested by double-disc synergy test, Carbapenemase production by MHT, Boronic Acid or EDTA test using Meropenem phenotypically and both resistance confirmed genotypically by Multiplex PCR. Results: Out of 1055 clinical isolates, 298 (28.2%) were found positive for Klebsiella.spp, 175 isolates were subcultured among which 22 (12.57%) were K. pneumoniae based on API 20E. Overall Sensitivity patterns of these Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates to Ceftriaxone, (Amoxicillin/Clavulanate), Gentamicin, Cefepime, Ciprofloxacin, Cefoxitin, Nitrofurantoin, Cefuroxime, piperacillin/tazobactam, Meropenem, Ceftazidime and cefotaxime were 72.7%, 63.7%, 54.5%, 45.5%, 31.8%, 31.8%, 27.3%, 27.3%, 22.7%, 22.7%, 18.2%, 9.1%, 9.1% respectively. ESBL producing K. pneumoniae was found at 68.18% (15/22) phenotypically. Genotypically;the ESBL genes were blaCTX-M (100%), blaSHV (80%) and blaTEM (100;47%);8/15 (73.3%) had CTX-M, SHV, TEM, 4/15 (26.67%) CTX-M, TEM, 3/15 (20.00%) CTX-M and SHV. Carbapenemase producing K. pneumoniae was found at 31.82% (7/22) phenotypically;1/7 (14.28%) by MHT, 4/7 (57.14%) Boronic acid test and 2/7 (28.58%) EDTA test. Genotypically;3/4 [(75%) 42.86%] had OXA-48, 1/4 [(25%) 14.28%] OXA-48 and KPC gene, 1/2 [(50%) 14.28%] KPC and VIM, 1/2 [(50%) 14.28%] KPC and KPC gene [(100%) 14.28%]. Conclusion/Recommendations: DDS to be used for ESBL production, MHT, Boronic Acid test and EDTA tests using Meropenem/or Imipenem for Carbapenemase-production routinely.

Incidence and Etiology of Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection among Admitted Patients at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital, South Western Uganda

Introduction: Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection is the most common hospital acquired infection worldwide. Urinary Tract Infections among catheterised patients are on rise regardless of antibiotic use and this is due to erratic use of antibiotics, treatment failure, antimicrobial resistance and emergency of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase producing bacteria leading to patient distress, increased healthcare costs, long hospital stay and poor patient response to antibiotics. In Uganda, no previous studies have sought to study the burden of CAUTI among catheterized patients, the bacterial pathogens involved and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns yet there is upsurge in antimicrobial resistance of uropathogens. The effective management of patients suffering from Catheter Associated Urinary Tract infection (CAUTI) relays on the identification of uropathogens that cause CAUTI and the selection of an effective antibiotic agent to the uropathen in question. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine incidence, etiology and antibiotic susceptibility pattern among the uropathogens causing Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections among patients with indwelling catheters at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital. Methods: Using a descriptive prospective observational hospital-based study, the study was conducted on 150 catheterized patients recruited from Emergency, Obstetrics and gynecology, Medical, Maternity and Surgical wards at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital between April and May 2019. The urine samples from study participants were processed in Kabale RRH microbiology laboratory as per standard operating procedures. After isolation and identification, all the isolates were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing for commonly used antibiotics. Results: Following the urine culture from 150 catheterized patients, urine from 23 (15.3%) patients showed significant growth. The common bacterial isolates were Escherichia coli 12 (52%), followed by the Klebsiella pneumoniae 6 (26%), Staphylococcus aureus 3 (13%) and Pseudomonas spp. 2 (8.7%). All Gram-negative isolates were sensitive to Imipenem 20 (100%) while all S. aureus isolates (3) were 100% sensitive to Vancomycin and Cefoxitin. Isolates were sensitive to Gentamicin 20 (82.6), Ceftriaxone 16 (69.6), Ciprofloxacin 10 (43.5) and Nitrofurantoin 9 (39.1). All isolates were 100% resistant to Cotrimoxazole. 6 gram negative isolates were resistant to ceftazidime and were tested for Extended Spectrum Beta (&#223;) Lactamase (ESBL), 5 (83.3%) were identified as ESBL-producing bacteria. K. pneumonia 3 (60%) presented the highest percentage of ESBLs as compared to E. coli 2 (40%). Conclusions: The Incidence of CAUTI among patients with indwelling urinary catheters at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital is high (15.3%) and is mostly caused by E. coli and K. pneumoniae. These bacteria are resistant to most commonly used antibiotics and thus there is a need to put more emphasis on CAUTI prevention strategies and use culture and sensitivity tests before prescription of antibiotics.