dentifying antibiotic resistance genes in clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae producing IMP-1 and TEM β-lactamase

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a common cause of β-lactamase-associated infections in hospitals. The present study aimed to determine the frequency of antibiotic resistance genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae strains producing IMP-1 and TEM β-lactamase.

The present research identified 94 samples of K. pneumoniae, using antibiogram for the phenotypic confirmation of ESBLs. The antibiotic resistance of the isolates and the prevalence of TEM and IMP-1 genes were determined using PCR method.

Of 94 samples, 77.6% were ESBL-positive and 22.3% ESBL-negative. A total of 4.1% of the samples carried the IMP-1 gene and 43.8% the TEM gene, while 43.8% of the samples carried both genes.              

Given that TEM and IMP-1 genes were commonly present in a large number of the resistant samples, physicians are recommended to use therapeutic measures properly, and to prescribe antibiotics rationally.