Prevalence Trends and Insights of Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Using Diverse Phenotypic Assays

Introduction and Objectives: The emergence and the spread of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae significantly threaten global public health. The detection of carbapenemase is crucial for early targeted therapy and improved clinical outcomes. The current study sought to evaluate the prevalence of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and emphasized different phenotyping approaches to detect carbapenemase producers. Materials and Methods: A sum of 72 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were collected and screened for carbapenem susceptibility. Antibiotic sensitivity testing and carbapenem screening were performed. Carbapenemase production among Klebsiella pneumoniae strains was evaluated using four phenotypic methods including MHT, mCIM, Carba NP and CD method. Results: Out of 72 strains, 54 isolates were multidrug-resistant and suspected as carbapenemase producers. Among carbapenem-resistant isolates tested, 53.7% of isolates were positive for MHT, 68.5 % of strains were positive for mCIM, 48% were positive for the Carba NP method and 33.33% were positive for the Combined Disc Method. Conclusion: This study sheds light on the screening methods in the evaluation of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, and the necessity to screen the pathogens ensuring the rational usage of available antibiotics.