Mirela Flonta ¹, Mihaela Lupşe ², Cornelia Crăciunaş ³, Ariana Almaş ¹, D. Cârstina ¹
¹ Infectious Diseases Hospital Cluj-Napoca
² The “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Department of Infectious Diseases
³ The “Babes-Bolyai” University Cluj-Napoca, Department of Biology
Abstract
Correct detection of carbapenemase-producing strains is of crucial importance. Carbapenem resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae is rare. Aim: The purpose of our study was to analyze the resistance to carbapenems of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from different pathological products. Methods: The resistance mechanism of 58 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates, with decreased susceptibility to carbapenems collected from 2007 to 2009 was investigated. Detection of the resistance mechanisms included a screening step, an optional phenotypic confirmatory step, followed by a genotypic step. Results: Hyper production of ESBL type enzymes combined with porin loss is regarded as the main mechanism of resistance. Analysis of β-lactamases showed that all isolates possessed ESBL genes. Other β-lactamases belonging to class A, including bla-KPC-1, class B or OXA-type carbapenemases, were not detected. Conclusions: The emergence of multiresistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates is of major concern and highlights the need for further surveillance.