Keywords
Klebsiella pneumoniae
carbapenemase
epidemiology
Categories
How to Cite
Abstract
Introduction : The emergence of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) strains has become a critical public health issue. Our aim was to investigate the phenotypic characteristics and antibiotic resistance of CRKP strains.
Materials and Methods : It’s a descriptive retrospective study including CRKP strains isolated at the Microbiology laboratory of Sahloul Hospital between 2017 and 2021. Bacterial identification was performed using conventional methods and the Vitek2 system. Antibiotic susceptibility testing followed CA-SFM/EUCAST guidelines. Carbapenemase detection was performed using the Rosco phenotypic combined disc test.
Results : A total of 335 CRKP strains were isolated, showing an overall increasing trend (p=0,03). Strains were mainly isolated from urine samples (45.4%), followed by blood cultures (18.5%). The general postoperative ward was the most affected (13.7%). Temporal distribution revealed a peak incidence during the hot and humid season (August-September). All strains were resistant to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and piperacillin-tazobactam. Resistance rates to cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin were 97%, 94.8%, and 71%, respectively. The lowest resistance rates were observed for fosfomycin (39.8%, n=99/249) and colistin (17.3%, n=13/75). Phenotypic study of carbapenem resistance showed co-dominance of OXA-48-producing strains (35%) and MBL-producing strains (35%).
Conclusion: The spread of CRKP and the emergence of metallo-β-lactamase-producing strains at Sahloul University Hospital require the implementation of reliable control strategies to limit their transmission.
References
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Copyright (c) 2026 Samar Dga, Farah Azouzi, Hela Ghali, Samah Boughattas, Lamia Tilouche, Soumaya Ketata, Yomna Ben Lamine, Houyem Laatiri, Abdelhalim Trabelsi