Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of carbapenemases in clinical isolates of Enterobacterales

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56903/kasmera.534420
Keywords: Enterobacterales, carbapenems, drug resistance, bacterial

Abstract

Carbapenem-resistant strains of Enterobacterales have become a global public health threat due to widespread antibiotic resistance and high mortality rates. The aim of this study was to characterize phenotypically and genotypically the carbapenemase produced by clinical isolates of Enterobacterales isolated in a hospital in Santa Elena (Ecuador) during the period January 2020-December 2022. For Identification and Susceptibility of Enterobacterales, Phoenix® automated equipment was used. The intermediate or carbapenem-resistant strains (imipenem, meropenem and *ertapenem) were tested using the agar diffusion method (Kirby & Baüer), modified Hodge test, carbapenem inactivation method (inhibition with EDTA and/or boronic acid) and the E-test ™ method. Of 96 strains that showed resistance to carbapenems, 75 (78.13%) were carbapenemase-producing and identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae (80.00%), Escherichia coli (13.34%), Klebsiella ozaenae (4.00%), Klebsiella oxytoca (1.33%) and Morganella morganii (1.33%). A statistically significant association (p < 0.05) was found between all the variables analyzed and carbapenemase production. Only the blaKPC (68.75%) and blaNDM (9.38%) genes were detected. These findings demonstrate the rapid spread of carbapenem-resistant bacteria in the region, requiring new and stringent surveillance and control strategies

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Published
2025-08-20
How to Cite
1.
Suarez PDP, Lascano-Espinoza CO, Jarrin-Beltrán C, Barros-Rivera SE, Guillen-Guale LA, Almeida-Salazar CJ. Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of carbapenemases in clinical isolates of Enterobacterales. Kasmera [Internet]. 2025Aug.20 [cited 2025Sep.27];53:e5344220. Available from: http://www.produccioncientifica.luz.edu.ve/index.php/kasmera/article/view/44260
Issue
Vol. 53 (2025)
Section
Original Articles

Copyright (c) 2025 Patricia Del Pilar Suarez, Carmen Obdulia Lascano-Espinoza, Carlos Jarrin-Beltrán, Sara Esther Barros-Rivera, Luis Alberto Guillen-Guale, Carlos Julio Almeida-Salazar

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