Screening of Carbapenem Resistance Klebsiella pneumoniae and its MIC against Imipenem

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a common opportunistic pathogen causing a wide range of infections; pneumonia, urinary tract infection, bacteremia, and liver abscesses. It infects primarily immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. It presents itself as an antibiotic-resistant bacterium, especially for third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems, creating serious global challenges. Therefore, this cross-sectional study was conducted in B & B Hospital, Lalitpur to screen the distribution of carbapenem resistance K. pneumoniae through ertapenem and to assess the minimum inhibitory concentration of imipenem for screened carbapenem resistance K. pneumoniae. From 3447 different clinical samples collected according to standard guidelines, K. pneumoniae was identified using standard microbiological techniques; staining and a panel of biochemical tests. The antibiotic susceptibility test of the isolates was performed by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method as per CLSI 2018 guidelines. The screening of carbapenem resistance was assessed by using ertapenem disc and the MIC of imipenem for carbapenem resistance and intermediate was performed using an Epsilometer. A total of 85 K. pneumoniae were identified and their antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that ceftriaxone was the least effective antibiotic. The number of MDR, carbapenem-resistant and intermediate isolates was 51, 46, and 3, respectively. The MIC of imipenem through an Epsilometer from ertapenem resistant and intermediate revealed that 31, 5, and 13 isolates were resistant, intermediate, and sensitive respectively. These findings showed the inconsistency in the detection of carbapenem-resistant isolates in routine microbiology laboratories and further support the other tests for the detection of carbapenem resistance as suggested by CLSI.