Molecular characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases and carbapenemases producing Enterobacteriaceae isolated from North Eastern region of India

This study is aimed to investigate the prevalence of genes encoding extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and carbapenemases production among Enterobacteriaceae isolated from North East India. A total of 210 non-duplicate multi-drug resistant Enterobacteriaceae (MDRE) strains were included in this investigation. The isolates were resistant to third-generation cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones. First, the strains were subjected to phenotypic assays to determine ESBLs and carbapenemases production; then, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) assays were done to detect ESBLs and carbapenemases genes. In addition, efflux pump activity was determined by phenylalanine-arginine b-naphthylamide assay. The frequency of ESBLs and carbapenemase genes among MDRE strains was shown as percentages. The data analysis was done using Microsoft Excel computer software. Among 210 MDRE clinical isolates, ESBLs production was observed in 72.86% (153) isolates. During mPCR assay, gene encoding ESBLs were detected in 55.24% (116) MDRE strains beta-lactamase Temoniera (blaTEM) (26.67%, 56), beta-lactamase Cefotaxime-Munich (blaCTX-M) (19.52%, 41), and beta-lactamase sulfhydryl reagent variable (blaSHV) (9.05%, 19)]. In addition, 55 (26.2%) and 53 (25.26%) strains were found to be meropenem and imipenem resistant, respectively. Carbapenemase nordmann-poirel (Carba-NP) test for carbapenemases activity was found to be positive in 18.58% (39) MDRE strains. The genes encoding carbapenemases production was observed in 18.58% (39) MDRE [beta-lactamase New Delhi metallo-β-lactamases-1(blaNDM-1) (8.10%, 17), beta-lactamase oxacillinase-48 (blaOXA-48) (2.86%, 6), beta-lactamase Verona imipenemase (blaVIM) (1.43%, 3), and blaOXA-48 and blaVIM (6.19%, 13)]. Efflux pump activity was observed in 5 (2.3%) of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates. For the first time in this region, we have detected the presence of blaOXA-48 and blaVIM in a single MDRE isolate as high as 6.1%. Therefore, clinicians need to detect the ESBLs and carbapenemases producing Enterobacteriaceae on priority in hospital settings for therapeutic options as well as stringent infection control strategies to be adopted as precautions.