Phenotypic and genotypic detection of multiresistant carbapenemase producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae

Escherichia coli i Klebsiella pneumoniae su među najznačajnijim uzročnicima infekcija kod ljudi. Problem predstavljaju multirezistentni sojevi koji se javljaju ne samo u bolničkom nego i u vanbolničkom okruženju. Karbapenemi, beta-laktami sa najširim spektrom delovanja, spadaju u lekove poslednje linije odbrane. Rezistencija na karbapeneme među enterobakterijama je u porastu širom sveta. Može nastati usled prisustva karbapenemaza, enzima koji degradiraju karbapeneme, ili usled hiperprodukcije AmpC cefalosporinaza ili beta-laktamaza proširenog spektra uz gubitak porina. Geni koji kodiraju karbapenemaze se nalaze na mobilnim genetičkim elementima koji im omogućavaju brz prenos. Najčešće karbapenemaze su KPC, NDM, VIM, IMP i OXA-48 enzimi. Detekcija sojeva koji produkuju karbapenemaze nije moguća samo na osnovu profila rezistencije izolata, s obzirom da minimalne inhibitorne koncentracije karbapenema mogu biti u referentnom opsegu. Svaki izolat sa smanjenom osetljivošću na karbapeneme bi trebalo ispitati kako bi se sprečilo njihovo širenje. Detekcija karbapenemaza može da se zasniva na fenotipskim i genotipskim metodama. Ciljevi istraživanja su bili da se utvrdi postojanje rezistencije na karbapeneme kod multirezistentnih izolata Escherichia coli i Klebsiella pneumoniae iz kliničkih uzoraka, da se dokaže produkcija karbapenemaza korišćenjem fenotipskih i genotipskih testova, kao i da se analizira osetljivost izolata Escherichia coli i Klebsiella pneumoniae sa molekularno dokazanim karbapenemazama. Istraživanje je sprovedeno kao prospektivna studija u periodu 01.11.2013. do 01.11.2014. godine u Centru za mikrobiologiju Instituta za javno zdravlje Vojvodine u Novom Sadu. U istraživanje je bilo uključeno 300 multirezistentnih izolata Escherichia coli i Klebsiella pneumoniae konsekutivno izolovanih iz kliničkih uzoraka (krv, punktat, sekret iz donjeg respiratornog trakta, urin i sekret rana) hospitalizovanih pacijenata. Identifikacija do nivoa vrste je vršena klasičnim bakteriološkim metodama. Za ispitivanje osetljivosti korišćeni su disk difuziona metoda i gradijent testovi. Vrednosti minimalnih inhibitornih koncentracija su ispitane automatizovanim Vitek 2 sistemom (BioMérieux, Francuska), a interpretacija izvršena u skladu sa preporukama CLSI (Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute). Za fenotipsko testiranje prisustva betalaktamaza proširenog spektra korišćen je kombinovani disk test. Za fenotipsko testiranje prisustva karbapenemaza kod sojeva rezistentnih na karbapeneme korišćen je kombinovani disk test i test sinergizma sa dva diska. Detekcija gena za beta-laktamaze blaCTXM, gena za karbapenemaze blaKPC, blaVIM, blaNDM, blaIMP i blaOXA-48-like izvršena je metodom lančane reakcije polimeraze. Genotipizacija odabranih izolata Klebsiella pneumoniae izvršena pomoću repetitivne lančane reakcije polimeraze korišćenjem DiversiLab sistema (BioMérieux, Francuska). Od 300 multirezistetntnih izolata, bilo je 242 (80,7%) Klebsiella pneumoniae i 58 (19,3%) Escherichia coli izolovanih iz kliničkih uzoraka. Smanjenu osetljivost na bar jedan karbapenem (imipenem, meropenem, ertapenem) pokazalo je 179 (59,7%) izolata. Fenotipski test za dokazivanje produkcije betalaktamaza proširenog spektra bio je pozitivan kod 87/171 (50,9%) izolata. Gen blaCTX-M je dokazan kod 111/121 (91,7%) izolata. Fenotipski test za dokazivanje karbapenemaza bio je pozitivan kod 65/179 (36,3%) izolata, kod 63 (96,9%) je ukazivao na prisustvo metalo-beta laktamaza, a kod 2 (3,1%) na prisustvo karbapenemaza iz grupe A. Senzitivnost fenotipskog testa za dokazivanje karbapenemaza klase A i B iznosila je 100,0%, specifičnost 96,6%, a ukupna tačnost 97,6%. Karbapenemaze su nađene kod 79/179 (44,1%) izolata rezistentnih na karbapeneme. Gen blaNDM nađen je kod 58 (32,4%) izolata, blaOXA- 48-like kod 11 (6,1%), a blaKPC kod 2 (1,1%) izolata. Geni blaVIM i blaIMP nisu detektovani. Kod 8 (4,5%) izolata nađena su 2 gena koja kodiraju karbapenemaze, blaNDM i blaOXA-48-like. Određivanjem osetljivosti disk difuzionom metodom i automatizovanim Vitek 2 sistemom, izolati koji produkuju karbapenemaze pokazivali su smanjenu osetljivost na sve testirane beta-laktame i gentamicin, odnosno tobramicin. Visok procenat rezistenicije izolati su pokazali u odnosu na ciprofloksacin, levofloksacin i trimetoprim/sulfametoksazol. Najefikasniji antibiotski lekovi su bili amikacin, tigeciklin, fosfomicin i kolistin. Poređenjem minimalnih inhibitornih koncentracija izolata koji produkuju i izolata koji ne produkuju karbapenemaze utvrđena je statistički značajna razlika za meropenem, imipenem, ertapenem, amikacin, gentamicin. Genotipizacijom odabranih izolata Klebsiella pneumoniae korišćenjem DiversiLab sistema klonalno širenje je dokazano među izolatima koji produkuju NDM i OXA-48-like karbapenemaze u okviru iste zdravstvene institucije, ali i među različitim zdravstvenim ustanovama. Među izolatima rezistentnim na karbapeneme Klebsiella pneumoniae se češće izoluje od Escherichia coli. Kod izolata koji su pokazali smanjenu osetljivost prema bar jednom karbapenemu, karbapenemaze su detektovane u manje od polovine izolata. Kod ostalih izolata dokazane su beta-laktamaze proširenog spektra koje uz gubitak porina mogu uzrokovati rezistenciju na karbapeneme. Kod izolata Klebsiella pneumoniae sa dokazanim genima koji kodiraju karbapenemaze detektovani su pojedinačni blaKPC, blaNDM i blaOXA-48-like geni, kao i kombinacija gena blaNDM i blaOXA-48-like. Kod izolata Escherichia coli nađeni su samo blaNDM geni. Najefikasniji antibiotski lekovi za izolate koji produkuju karbapenemaze su amikacin, tigeciklin, fosfomicin i kolistin. Izolati sa dokazanim karbapenemazama pokazuju rezistenciju na veći broj antibiotika u odnosu na izolate koji ne produkuju karbapenemaze. Dokazano je klonalno širenje izolata Klebsiella pneumoniae koji produkuju karbapenemaze. Testove za fenotipsku detekciju karbapenemaza bi trebalo koristiti i u rutinskim mikrobiološkim laboratorijama u skladu sa EUCAST (European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing) preporukama, a konačnu potvrdu treba izvršiti molekularnim metodama u referentnoj laboratoriji.Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are among the most common human pathogens. Multiresistant strains are emerging not only in hospital settings, but also in the community representing a major concern. Carbapenems, beta-lactams with the broadest spectrum of activity are considered to be antibiotics of last resort. Resistance to carbapenems among enterobacteria is spreading worldwide. It is mainly caused by carbapenemases, enzymes capable of degrading carbapenems or by hyperproduction/overexpression of AmpC betalactamases or extended spectrum betalactamases with porin loss. Carbapenemaseencoding genes are usually located on mobile genetic elements providing their fast transfer. The most common carbapenemases are KPC, NDM, VIM, IMP and OXA-48. The detection of carbapenemase-producer cannot rely only on the resistance profile as their minimal inhibitory concentration values may sometimes lay within the susceptibility range. Therefore, every multidrug-resistant isolates with lower susceptibility to carbapenems should be tested for the presence of carbapenemases in order to prevent further spreading. The detection of carbapenemases is based on phenotypic and genotypic methods. The aims of the study were to determine the occurrence of carbapenem resistance in multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from clinical samples, to detect carbapenemase production using both phenotypic and genotypic methods and to analyze the susceptibility of carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The study was conducted from 1st November 2013 to 1st November 2014 at the Center for Microbiology in the Institute for Public Health of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia. The study included 300 nonrepetitive multidrug-resistant strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from clinical specimen (blood, aspirates, lower respiratory tract secretions, urine and wound secretion) of hospitalized patients. Identification of isolated strains was done using conventional bacteriological methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested using the disk diffusion method and MIC test strips. Minimal inhibitory concentrations were determined using Vitek 2 Compact automated system (BioMérieux, France), interpreted according to the CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) recommendations. Phenotypic testing of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases production was done using combined disk test. Phenotypic testing of carbapenemase production was done by combined disk test and double-disk synergy test. Detection of blaCTX-M, gene encoding extended-spectrum beta-lactamases and blaKPC, blaVIM, blaNDM, blaIMP i blaOXA-48-like, genes encoding carbapenemases was done using PCR. Genotyping of selected Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates was done by repPCR using DiversiLab system (BioMérieux, France). From the total of 300 multiresistant isolates, 242 (80.7%) were Klebsiella pneumoniae and 58 (19.3%) were Escherichia coli obtained from clinical samples. Reduced susceptibility to at least one carbapenem (imipenem, meropenem, ertapenem) was found in 179 (59.7%) isolates. Phenotypic test for extended-spectrum betalactamases production was positive in 87/171 (50.9%) isolates. A total of 111/121 (91.7%) isolates harbored blaCTX-M. Phenotypic test for carbapenemase production was positive in 65/179 (36.3%) isolates, 63 (96.9%) indicating the presence of metallo-beta-lactamases and 2 (3.1%) indicating the presence of class A carbapenemases. Sensitivity of the phenotypic test for carbapenemase production of class A and B was 100.0%, specificity 96.6% and overall accuracy 97.6%. Carbapenemases were detected in 79/179 (44.1%) carbapenemresistant isolates. Gene blaNDM was found in 58 (32.4%) isolates, blaOXA-48-like in 11 (6.1%) and blaKPC in 2 (1.1%) isolates. Genes blaVIM and blaIMP were not detected. In 8 (4.5%) isolates 2 genes encoding carbapenemases were found, blaNDM and blaOXA-48-like. Using both disk diffusion method and Vitek 2 automated system for antimicrobial susceptibility testing carbapenemase-producing isolates were resistant to all beta-lactams and also to gentamicin and tobramicin respectively. Resistance rates were high for ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and cotrimoxazole. Good activity maintained for amikacin, tigecycline, fosfomycin and colistin. Comparing minimal inhibitory concentrations of carbapenemaseproducing isolates and non-carbapenemase producers, significant difference was found for meropenem, imipenem, ertapenem, amikacin and gentamicin. Genotyping of selected Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates using DiversiLab system, revealed the clonal spread of NDM- and OXA-48-like-producers not only within one healthcare-setting, but also between different healthcare centers. Among carbapenem-resistant isolates, Klebsiella pneumoniae was found more often than Escherichia coli. Carbapenemases were detected in less than 50% of isolates resistant to at least one carbapenem. In other carbapenem resistant isolates extended-spectrum betalactamases were confirmed most likely causing carbapenem-resistance with porin deficiency or porin loss. Among carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae blaKPC, blaNDM and blaOXA-48-like genes were detected, as well as combination of 2 genes blaNDM and blaOXA-48-like. In carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli only blaNDM was found. The most efficient antimicrobial drugs among tested carbapenemase-producing isolates were amikacin, tigecycline, fosfomycin and colistin. Carbapenemase-producing isolates were resistant to more antimicrobial agents compared to non-carbapenemase producers. Clonal dissemination of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae was confirmed. Phenotypic detection of carbapenemase production should be done in routine microbiology laboratories according to EUCAST (European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing) recommendations. Final confirmation should be done by molecular methods in the reference laboratory

Phenotypic and genotypic detection of multiresistant carbapenemase producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae

Escherichia coli i Klebsiella pneumoniae su među najznačajnijim uzročnicima infekcija kod ljudi. Problem predstavljaju multirezistentni sojevi koji se javljaju ne samo u bolničkom nego i u vanbolničkom okruženju. Karbapenemi, beta-laktami sa najširim spektrom delovanja, spadaju u lekove poslednje linije odbrane. Rezistencija na karbapeneme među enterobakterijama je u porastu širom sveta. Može nastati usled prisustva karbapenemaza, enzima koji degradiraju karbapeneme, ili usled hiperprodukcije AmpC cefalosporinaza ili beta-laktamaza proširenog spektra uz gubitak porina. Geni koji kodiraju karbapenemaze se nalaze na mobilnim genetičkim elementima koji im omogućavaju brz prenos. Najčešće karbapenemaze su KPC, NDM, VIM, IMP i OXA-48 enzimi. Detekcija sojeva koji produkuju karbapenemaze nije moguća samo na osnovu profila rezistencije izolata, s obzirom da minimalne inhibitorne koncentracije karbapenema mogu biti u referentnom opsegu. Svaki izolat sa smanjenom osetljivošću na karbapeneme bi trebalo ispitati kako bi se sprečilo njihovo širenje. Detekcija karbapenemaza može da se zasniva na fenotipskim i genotipskim metodama. Ciljevi istraživanja su bili da se utvrdi postojanje rezistencije na karbapeneme kod multirezistentnih izolata Escherichia coli i Klebsiella pneumoniae iz kliničkih uzoraka, da se dokaže produkcija karbapenemaza korišćenjem fenotipskih i genotipskih testova, kao i da se analizira osetljivost izolata Escherichia coli i Klebsiella pneumoniae sa molekularno dokazanim karbapenemazama. Istraživanje je sprovedeno kao prospektivna studija u periodu 01.11.2013. do 01.11.2014. godine u Centru za mikrobiologiju Instituta za javno zdravlje Vojvodine u Novom Sadu. U istraživanje je bilo uključeno 300 multirezistentnih izolata Escherichia coli i Klebsiella pneumoniae konsekutivno izolovanih iz kliničkih uzoraka (krv, punktat, sekret iz donjeg respiratornog trakta, urin i sekret rana) hospitalizovanih pacijenata. Identifikacija do nivoa vrste je vršena klasičnim bakteriološkim metodama. Za ispitivanje osetljivosti korišćeni su disk difuziona metoda i gradijent testovi. Vrednosti minimalnih inhibitornih koncentracija su ispitane automatizovanim Vitek 2 sistemom (BioMérieux, Francuska), a interpretacija izvršena u skladu sa preporukama CLSI (Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute). Za fenotipsko testiranje prisustva betalaktamaza proširenog spektra korišćen je kombinovani disk test. Za fenotipsko testiranje prisustva karbapenemaza kod sojeva rezistentnih na karbapeneme korišćen je kombinovani disk test i test sinergizma sa dva diska. Detekcija gena za beta-laktamaze blaCTXM, gena za karbapenemaze blaKPC, blaVIM, blaNDM, blaIMP i blaOXA-48-like izvršena je metodom lančane reakcije polimeraze. Genotipizacija odabranih izolata Klebsiella pneumoniae izvršena pomoću repetitivne lančane reakcije polimeraze korišćenjem DiversiLab sistema (BioMérieux, Francuska). Od 300 multirezistetntnih izolata, bilo je 242 (80,7%) Klebsiella pneumoniae i 58 (19,3%) Escherichia coli izolovanih iz kliničkih uzoraka. Smanjenu osetljivost na bar jedan karbapenem (imipenem, meropenem, ertapenem) pokazalo je 179 (59,7%) izolata. Fenotipski test za dokazivanje produkcije betalaktamaza proširenog spektra bio je pozitivan kod 87/171 (50,9%) izolata. Gen blaCTX-M je dokazan kod 111/121 (91,7%) izolata. Fenotipski test za dokazivanje karbapenemaza bio je pozitivan kod 65/179 (36,3%) izolata, kod 63 (96,9%) je ukazivao na prisustvo metalo-beta laktamaza, a kod 2 (3,1%) na prisustvo karbapenemaza iz grupe A. Senzitivnost fenotipskog testa za dokazivanje karbapenemaza klase A i B iznosila je 100,0%, specifičnost 96,6%, a ukupna tačnost 97,6%. Karbapenemaze su nađene kod 79/179 (44,1%) izolata rezistentnih na karbapeneme. Gen blaNDM nađen je kod 58 (32,4%) izolata, blaOXA- 48-like kod 11 (6,1%), a blaKPC kod 2 (1,1%) izolata. Geni blaVIM i blaIMP nisu detektovani. Kod 8 (4,5%) izolata nađena su 2 gena koja kodiraju karbapenemaze, blaNDM i blaOXA-48-like. Određivanjem osetljivosti disk difuzionom metodom i automatizovanim Vitek 2 sistemom, izolati koji produkuju karbapenemaze pokazivali su smanjenu osetljivost na sve testirane beta-laktame i gentamicin, odnosno tobramicin. Visok procenat rezistenicije izolati su pokazali u odnosu na ciprofloksacin, levofloksacin i trimetoprim/sulfametoksazol. Najefikasniji antibiotski lekovi su bili amikacin, tigeciklin, fosfomicin i kolistin. Poređenjem minimalnih inhibitornih koncentracija izolata koji produkuju i izolata koji ne produkuju karbapenemaze utvrđena je statistički značajna razlika za meropenem, imipenem, ertapenem, amikacin, gentamicin. Genotipizacijom odabranih izolata Klebsiella pneumoniae korišćenjem DiversiLab sistema klonalno širenje je dokazano među izolatima koji produkuju NDM i OXA-48-like karbapenemaze u okviru iste zdravstvene institucije, ali i među različitim zdravstvenim ustanovama. Među izolatima rezistentnim na karbapeneme Klebsiella pneumoniae se češće izoluje od Escherichia coli. Kod izolata koji su pokazali smanjenu osetljivost prema bar jednom karbapenemu, karbapenemaze su detektovane u manje od polovine izolata. Kod ostalih izolata dokazane su beta-laktamaze proširenog spektra koje uz gubitak porina mogu uzrokovati rezistenciju na karbapeneme. Kod izolata Klebsiella pneumoniae sa dokazanim genima koji kodiraju karbapenemaze detektovani su pojedinačni blaKPC, blaNDM i blaOXA-48-like geni, kao i kombinacija gena blaNDM i blaOXA-48-like. Kod izolata Escherichia coli nađeni su samo blaNDM geni. Najefikasniji antibiotski lekovi za izolate koji produkuju karbapenemaze su amikacin, tigeciklin, fosfomicin i kolistin. Izolati sa dokazanim karbapenemazama pokazuju rezistenciju na veći broj antibiotika u odnosu na izolate koji ne produkuju karbapenemaze. Dokazano je klonalno širenje izolata Klebsiella pneumoniae koji produkuju karbapenemaze. Testove za fenotipsku detekciju karbapenemaza bi trebalo koristiti i u rutinskim mikrobiološkim laboratorijama u skladu sa EUCAST (European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing) preporukama, a konačnu potvrdu treba izvršiti molekularnim metodama u referentnoj laboratoriji.Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are among the most common human pathogens. Multiresistant strains are emerging not only in hospital settings, but also in the community representing a major concern. Carbapenems, beta-lactams with the broadest spectrum of activity are considered to be antibiotics of last resort. Resistance to carbapenems among enterobacteria is spreading worldwide. It is mainly caused by carbapenemases, enzymes capable of degrading carbapenems or by hyperproduction/overexpression of AmpC betalactamases or extended spectrum betalactamases with porin loss. Carbapenemaseencoding genes are usually located on mobile genetic elements providing their fast transfer. The most common carbapenemases are KPC, NDM, VIM, IMP and OXA-48. The detection of carbapenemase-producer cannot rely only on the resistance profile as their minimal inhibitory concentration values may sometimes lay within the susceptibility range. Therefore, every multidrug-resistant isolates with lower susceptibility to carbapenems should be tested for the presence of carbapenemases in order to prevent further spreading. The detection of carbapenemases is based on phenotypic and genotypic methods. The aims of the study were to determine the occurrence of carbapenem resistance in multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from clinical samples, to detect carbapenemase production using both phenotypic and genotypic methods and to analyze the susceptibility of carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The study was conducted from 1st November 2013 to 1st November 2014 at the Center for Microbiology in the Institute for Public Health of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia. The study included 300 nonrepetitive multidrug-resistant strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from clinical specimen (blood, aspirates, lower respiratory tract secretions, urine and wound secretion) of hospitalized patients. Identification of isolated strains was done using conventional bacteriological methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested using the disk diffusion method and MIC test strips. Minimal inhibitory concentrations were determined using Vitek 2 Compact automated system (BioMérieux, France), interpreted according to the CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) recommendations. Phenotypic testing of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases production was done using combined disk test. Phenotypic testing of carbapenemase production was done by combined disk test and double-disk synergy test. Detection of blaCTX-M, gene encoding extended-spectrum beta-lactamases and blaKPC, blaVIM, blaNDM, blaIMP i blaOXA-48-like, genes encoding carbapenemases was done using PCR. Genotyping of selected Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates was done by repPCR using DiversiLab system (BioMérieux, France). From the total of 300 multiresistant isolates, 242 (80.7%) were Klebsiella pneumoniae and 58 (19.3%) were Escherichia coli obtained from clinical samples. Reduced susceptibility to at least one carbapenem (imipenem, meropenem, ertapenem) was found in 179 (59.7%) isolates. Phenotypic test for extended-spectrum betalactamases production was positive in 87/171 (50.9%) isolates. A total of 111/121 (91.7%) isolates harbored blaCTX-M. Phenotypic test for carbapenemase production was positive in 65/179 (36.3%) isolates, 63 (96.9%) indicating the presence of metallo-beta-lactamases and 2 (3.1%) indicating the presence of class A carbapenemases. Sensitivity of the phenotypic test for carbapenemase production of class A and B was 100.0%, specificity 96.6% and overall accuracy 97.6%. Carbapenemases were detected in 79/179 (44.1%) carbapenemresistant isolates. Gene blaNDM was found in 58 (32.4%) isolates, blaOXA-48-like in 11 (6.1%) and blaKPC in 2 (1.1%) isolates. Genes blaVIM and blaIMP were not detected. In 8 (4.5%) isolates 2 genes encoding carbapenemases were found, blaNDM and blaOXA-48-like. Using both disk diffusion method and Vitek 2 automated system for antimicrobial susceptibility testing carbapenemase-producing isolates were resistant to all beta-lactams and also to gentamicin and tobramicin respectively. Resistance rates were high for ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and cotrimoxazole. Good activity maintained for amikacin, tigecycline, fosfomycin and colistin. Comparing minimal inhibitory concentrations of carbapenemaseproducing isolates and non-carbapenemase producers, significant difference was found for meropenem, imipenem, ertapenem, amikacin and gentamicin. Genotyping of selected Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates using DiversiLab system, revealed the clonal spread of NDM- and OXA-48-like-producers not only within one healthcare-setting, but also between different healthcare centers. Among carbapenem-resistant isolates, Klebsiella pneumoniae was found more often than Escherichia coli. Carbapenemases were detected in less than 50% of isolates resistant to at least one carbapenem. In other carbapenem resistant isolates extended-spectrum betalactamases were confirmed most likely causing carbapenem-resistance with porin deficiency or porin loss. Among carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae blaKPC, blaNDM and blaOXA-48-like genes were detected, as well as combination of 2 genes blaNDM and blaOXA-48-like. In carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli only blaNDM was found. The most efficient antimicrobial drugs among tested carbapenemase-producing isolates were amikacin, tigecycline, fosfomycin and colistin. Carbapenemase-producing isolates were resistant to more antimicrobial agents compared to non-carbapenemase producers. Clonal dissemination of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae was confirmed. Phenotypic detection of carbapenemase production should be done in routine microbiology laboratories according to EUCAST (European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing) recommendations. Final confirmation should be done by molecular methods in the reference laboratory

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing: A Comprehensive Review of Currently Used Methods

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a major threat to public health globally. Accurate and rapid detection of resistance to antimicrobial drugs, and subsequent appropriate antimicrobial treatment, combined with antimicrobial stewardship, are essential for controlling the emergence and spread of AMR. This article reviews common antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) methods and relevant issues concerning the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Although accurate, classic technologies used in clinical microbiology to profile antimicrobial susceptibility are time-consuming and relatively expensive. As a result, physicians often prescribe empirical antimicrobial therapies and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Although recently developed AST systems have shown advantages over traditional methods in terms of testing speed and the potential for providing a deeper insight into resistance mechanisms, extensive validation is required to translate these methodologies to clinical practice. With a continuous increase in antimicrobial resistance, additional efforts are needed to develop innovative, rapid, accurate, and portable diagnostic tools for AST. The wide implementation of novel devices would enable the identification of the optimal treatment approaches and the surveillance of antibiotic resistance in health, agriculture, and the environment, allowing monitoring and better tackling the emergence of AMR

First Isolation of Exiguobacterium aurantiacum in Serbia

Exiguobacterium aurantiacum is isolated from a variety of environmental samples but rarely from patients. The aim of the study was to represent isolation of unusual bacterial strains that could cause infection in patients. Final identification was performed using matrix-assisted description/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF). Two isolates strains of E. aurantiacum were isolated, one isolate from distilled water used during surgical treatment and the second one from a patient with bacteremia after radical prostatectomy, both sensitive to all tested antimicrobials. Environmental strains could cause infection, especially in immunocompromised patients; therefore, rare bacteria testing is required, in which identification special assistance is provided by an automated system MALDI-TOF

Supplementary information for the article: Kabic, J., Novovic, K., Kekic, D., Trudic, A., Opavski, N., Dimkic, I., Jovcic, B., & Gajic, I. (2023). Comparative genomics and molecular epidemiology of colistin-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal, 21, 574–585. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csbj.2022.12.045

Related to published version: [https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/1784]Supplementary data associated with this article can be found in the online version at doi:[10.1016/j.csbj.2022.12.045.

Variation of Salvia officinalis L. essential oil and hydrolate composition and their antimicrobial activity

This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition of steam distillate essential oil and corresponding hydrolate obtained from S. officinalis grown in Serbia, as well as the influence of weather conditions (temperature and precipitations) on their chemical profiles. Furthermore, their antimicrobial activity was investigated in vitro. The main compounds in essential oil were cis-thujone, followed by camphor, trans-thujone, and 1,8-cineole, while hydrolate was slightly different from the essential oil, with camphor, cis-thujone, and 1,8-cineole as the main compounds. Among the eight respiratory-associated microorganisms, Klebsiella oxytoca was the most sensitive to the tested EOs (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)/minimal bactericidal/fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC) were 14.20 and 28.4 μL mL−1, respectively). MIC and MBC values of other tested bacteria ranged between 28.40 and 227.25 μL mL−1 while for Candida albicans MIC/MFC ranged from 28.40/56.81 to 56.81–113.63 μL mL−1. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns for the analyzed eight respiratory-associated microorganisms showed an intermediate level of resistance to commonly used antibiotics such as ampicillin, levofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin. As a preliminary approach to the antimicrobial profiling of the tested EO, the obtained results revealed that the tested samples possess remarkable antibacterial activities and could be used to develop pharmaceutical formulations as an alternative to conventional antibiotic therapy

Phenotypic and genotypic detection of multiresistant carbapenemase producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae

Escherichia coli i Klebsiella pneumoniae su među najznačajnijim uzročnicima infekcija kod ljudi. Problem predstavljaju multirezistentni sojevi koji se javljaju ne samo u bolničkom nego i u vanbolničkom okruženju. Karbapenemi, beta-laktami sa najširim spektrom delovanja, spadaju u lekove poslednje linije odbrane. Rezistencija na karbapeneme među enterobakterijama je u porastu širom sveta. Može nastati usled prisustva karbapenemaza, enzima koji degradiraju karbapeneme, ili usled hiperprodukcije AmpC cefalosporinaza ili beta-laktamaza proširenog spektra uz gubitak porina. Geni koji kodiraju karbapenemaze se nalaze na mobilnim genetičkim elementima koji im omogućavaju brz prenos. Najčešće karbapenemaze su KPC, NDM, VIM, IMP i OXA-48 enzimi. Detekcija sojeva koji produkuju karbapenemaze nije moguća samo na osnovu profila rezistencije izolata, s obzirom da minimalne inhibitorne koncentracije karbapenema mogu biti u referentnom opsegu. Svaki izolat sa smanjenom osetljivošću na karbapeneme bi trebalo ispitati kako bi se sprečilo njihovo širenje. Detekcija karbapenemaza može da se zasniva na fenotipskim i genotipskim metodama. Ciljevi istraživanja su bili da se utvrdi postojanje rezistencije na karbapeneme kod multirezistentnih izolata Escherichia coli i Klebsiella pneumoniae iz kliničkih uzoraka, da se dokaže produkcija karbapenemaza korišćenjem fenotipskih i genotipskih testova, kao i da se analizira osetljivost izolata Escherichia coli i Klebsiella pneumoniae sa molekularno dokazanim karbapenemazama. Istraživanje je sprovedeno kao prospektivna studija u periodu 01.11.2013. do 01.11.2014. godine u Centru za mikrobiologiju Instituta za javno zdravlje Vojvodine u Novom Sadu. U istraživanje je bilo uključeno 300 multirezistentnih izolata Escherichia coli i Klebsiella pneumoniae konsekutivno izolovanih iz kliničkih uzoraka (krv, punktat, sekret iz donjeg respiratornog trakta, urin i sekret rana) hospitalizovanih pacijenata. Identifikacija do nivoa vrste je vršena klasičnim bakteriološkim metodama. Za ispitivanje osetljivosti korišćeni su disk difuziona metoda i gradijent testovi. Vrednosti minimalnih inhibitornih koncentracija su ispitane automatizovanim Vitek 2 sistemom (BioMérieux, Francuska), a interpretacija izvršena u skladu sa preporukama CLSI (Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute). Za fenotipsko testiranje prisustva betalaktamaza proširenog spektra korišćen je kombinovani disk test. Za fenotipsko testiranje prisustva karbapenemaza kod sojeva rezistentnih na karbapeneme korišćen je kombinovani disk test i test sinergizma sa dva diska. Detekcija gena za beta-laktamaze blaCTXM, gena za karbapenemaze blaKPC, blaVIM, blaNDM, blaIMP i blaOXA-48-like izvršena je metodom lančane reakcije polimeraze. Genotipizacija odabranih izolata Klebsiella pneumoniae izvršena pomoću repetitivne lančane reakcije polimeraze korišćenjem DiversiLab sistema (BioMérieux, Francuska). Od 300 multirezistetntnih izolata, bilo je 242 (80,7%) Klebsiella pneumoniae i 58 (19,3%) Escherichia coli izolovanih iz kliničkih uzoraka. Smanjenu osetljivost na bar jedan karbapenem (imipenem, meropenem, ertapenem) pokazalo je 179 (59,7%) izolata. Fenotipski test za dokazivanje produkcije betalaktamaza proširenog spektra bio je pozitivan kod 87/171 (50,9%) izolata. Gen blaCTX-M je dokazan kod 111/121 (91,7%) izolata. Fenotipski test za dokazivanje karbapenemaza bio je pozitivan kod 65/179 (36,3%) izolata, kod 63 (96,9%) je ukazivao na prisustvo metalo-beta laktamaza, a kod 2 (3,1%) na prisustvo karbapenemaza iz grupe A. Senzitivnost fenotipskog testa za dokazivanje karbapenemaza klase A i B iznosila je 100,0%, specifičnost 96,6%, a ukupna tačnost 97,6%. Karbapenemaze su nađene kod 79/179 (44,1%) izolata rezistentnih na karbapeneme. Gen blaNDM nađen je kod 58 (32,4%) izolata, blaOXA- 48-like kod 11 (6,1%), a blaKPC kod 2 (1,1%) izolata. Geni blaVIM i blaIMP nisu detektovani. Kod 8 (4,5%) izolata nađena su 2 gena koja kodiraju karbapenemaze, blaNDM i blaOXA-48-like. Određivanjem osetljivosti disk difuzionom metodom i automatizovanim Vitek 2 sistemom, izolati koji produkuju karbapenemaze pokazivali su smanjenu osetljivost na sve testirane beta-laktame i gentamicin, odnosno tobramicin. Visok procenat rezistenicije izolati su pokazali u odnosu na ciprofloksacin, levofloksacin i trimetoprim/sulfametoksazol. Najefikasniji antibiotski lekovi su bili amikacin, tigeciklin, fosfomicin i kolistin. Poređenjem minimalnih inhibitornih koncentracija izolata koji produkuju i izolata koji ne produkuju karbapenemaze utvrđena je statistički značajna razlika za meropenem, imipenem, ertapenem, amikacin, gentamicin. Genotipizacijom odabranih izolata Klebsiella pneumoniae korišćenjem DiversiLab sistema klonalno širenje je dokazano među izolatima koji produkuju NDM i OXA-48-like karbapenemaze u okviru iste zdravstvene institucije, ali i među različitim zdravstvenim ustanovama. Među izolatima rezistentnim na karbapeneme Klebsiella pneumoniae se češće izoluje od Escherichia coli. Kod izolata koji su pokazali smanjenu osetljivost prema bar jednom karbapenemu, karbapenemaze su detektovane u manje od polovine izolata. Kod ostalih izolata dokazane su beta-laktamaze proširenog spektra koje uz gubitak porina mogu uzrokovati rezistenciju na karbapeneme. Kod izolata Klebsiella pneumoniae sa dokazanim genima koji kodiraju karbapenemaze detektovani su pojedinačni blaKPC, blaNDM i blaOXA-48-like geni, kao i kombinacija gena blaNDM i blaOXA-48-like. Kod izolata Escherichia coli nađeni su samo blaNDM geni. Najefikasniji antibiotski lekovi za izolate koji produkuju karbapenemaze su amikacin, tigeciklin, fosfomicin i kolistin. Izolati sa dokazanim karbapenemazama pokazuju rezistenciju na veći broj antibiotika u odnosu na izolate koji ne produkuju karbapenemaze. Dokazano je klonalno širenje izolata Klebsiella pneumoniae koji produkuju karbapenemaze. Testove za fenotipsku detekciju karbapenemaza bi trebalo koristiti i u rutinskim mikrobiološkim laboratorijama u skladu sa EUCAST (European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing) preporukama, a konačnu potvrdu treba izvršiti molekularnim metodama u referentnoj laboratoriji.Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are among the most common human pathogens. Multiresistant strains are emerging not only in hospital settings, but also in the community representing a major concern. Carbapenems, beta-lactams with the broadest spectrum of activity are considered to be antibiotics of last resort. Resistance to carbapenems among enterobacteria is spreading worldwide. It is mainly caused by carbapenemases, enzymes capable of degrading carbapenems or by hyperproduction/overexpression of AmpC betalactamases or extended spectrum betalactamases with porin loss. Carbapenemaseencoding genes are usually located on mobile genetic elements providing their fast transfer. The most common carbapenemases are KPC, NDM, VIM, IMP and OXA-48. The detection of carbapenemase-producer cannot rely only on the resistance profile as their minimal inhibitory concentration values may sometimes lay within the susceptibility range. Therefore, every multidrug-resistant isolates with lower susceptibility to carbapenems should be tested for the presence of carbapenemases in order to prevent further spreading. The detection of carbapenemases is based on phenotypic and genotypic methods. The aims of the study were to determine the occurrence of carbapenem resistance in multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from clinical samples, to detect carbapenemase production using both phenotypic and genotypic methods and to analyze the susceptibility of carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The study was conducted from 1st November 2013 to 1st November 2014 at the Center for Microbiology in the Institute for Public Health of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia. The study included 300 nonrepetitive multidrug-resistant strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from clinical specimen (blood, aspirates, lower respiratory tract secretions, urine and wound secretion) of hospitalized patients. Identification of isolated strains was done using conventional bacteriological methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested using the disk diffusion method and MIC test strips. Minimal inhibitory concentrations were determined using Vitek 2 Compact automated system (BioMérieux, France), interpreted according to the CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) recommendations. Phenotypic testing of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases production was done using combined disk test. Phenotypic testing of carbapenemase production was done by combined disk test and double-disk synergy test. Detection of blaCTX-M, gene encoding extended-spectrum beta-lactamases and blaKPC, blaVIM, blaNDM, blaIMP i blaOXA-48-like, genes encoding carbapenemases was done using PCR. Genotyping of selected Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates was done by repPCR using DiversiLab system (BioMérieux, France). From the total of 300 multiresistant isolates, 242 (80.7%) were Klebsiella pneumoniae and 58 (19.3%) were Escherichia coli obtained from clinical samples. Reduced susceptibility to at least one carbapenem (imipenem, meropenem, ertapenem) was found in 179 (59.7%) isolates. Phenotypic test for extended-spectrum betalactamases production was positive in 87/171 (50.9%) isolates. A total of 111/121 (91.7%) isolates harbored blaCTX-M. Phenotypic test for carbapenemase production was positive in 65/179 (36.3%) isolates, 63 (96.9%) indicating the presence of metallo-beta-lactamases and 2 (3.1%) indicating the presence of class A carbapenemases. Sensitivity of the phenotypic test for carbapenemase production of class A and B was 100.0%, specificity 96.6% and overall accuracy 97.6%. Carbapenemases were detected in 79/179 (44.1%) carbapenemresistant isolates. Gene blaNDM was found in 58 (32.4%) isolates, blaOXA-48-like in 11 (6.1%) and blaKPC in 2 (1.1%) isolates. Genes blaVIM and blaIMP were not detected. In 8 (4.5%) isolates 2 genes encoding carbapenemases were found, blaNDM and blaOXA-48-like. Using both disk diffusion method and Vitek 2 automated system for antimicrobial susceptibility testing carbapenemase-producing isolates were resistant to all beta-lactams and also to gentamicin and tobramicin respectively. Resistance rates were high for ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and cotrimoxazole. Good activity maintained for amikacin, tigecycline, fosfomycin and colistin. Comparing minimal inhibitory concentrations of carbapenemaseproducing isolates and non-carbapenemase producers, significant difference was found for meropenem, imipenem, ertapenem, amikacin and gentamicin. Genotyping of selected Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates using DiversiLab system, revealed the clonal spread of NDM- and OXA-48-like-producers not only within one healthcare-setting, but also between different healthcare centers. Among carbapenem-resistant isolates, Klebsiella pneumoniae was found more often than Escherichia coli. Carbapenemases were detected in less than 50% of isolates resistant to at least one carbapenem. In other carbapenem resistant isolates extended-spectrum betalactamases were confirmed most likely causing carbapenem-resistance with porin deficiency or porin loss. Among carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae blaKPC, blaNDM and blaOXA-48-like genes were detected, as well as combination of 2 genes blaNDM and blaOXA-48-like. In carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli only blaNDM was found. The most efficient antimicrobial drugs among tested carbapenemase-producing isolates were amikacin, tigecycline, fosfomycin and colistin. Carbapenemase-producing isolates were resistant to more antimicrobial agents compared to non-carbapenemase producers. Clonal dissemination of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae was confirmed. Phenotypic detection of carbapenemase production should be done in routine microbiology laboratories according to EUCAST (European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing) recommendations. Final confirmation should be done by molecular methods in the reference laboratory

Antibiotic susceptibility profile of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from drinking and surface water

Presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) in drinking and surface water indicates fecal contamination of human or animal origin. K. pneumoniae has the ability to acquire and transfer resistance genes. Isolates found in the environment may represent a reservoir of these genes, which can be transmitted among different bacterial species. The aim of the study was identification and testing susceptibility of K. pneumoniae to antibiotics after isolation from drinking and surface water. Prospective study (conducted from October the 1st 2015 to December the 31st 2015) included 1276 samples of drinking and surface water. The samples were processed by membrane-filter technique. Standard biochemical tests were used for identification of K. pneumoniae. Anti-microbial susceptibility was determined by disk-diffusion method. K. pneumoniae was found in 2.98% (38/1276) of samples, from both surface 42.11% (16/38) and drinking water 57.89% (22/38). Tested strains were resistant to ampicillin, but resistance to other antibiotics was not confirmed. K. pneumoniae could be found in drinking water despite the purification and chlorination. In our study strains isolated from drinking and surface water were susceptible to commonly used antibiotics, without any markers of acquired resistance

Diagnostic approach to localised organising pneumonia: A case report

Introduction. Localised organising pneumonia, radiologically presented with oval or round shadows mimicing lung cancer or metastases, is a major issue in differential diagnosis. Case report. A female patient was hospitalized to clarified the etiology of multiple nodular lung lesions. The chest X-ray and the chest computed tomography (CT) revealed bilateral patchy and nodular shadows, and round lung lesions, respectively. Neither sputum analyses, nor histology of bronchoscopy samples clarified the etiology of these lung lesions. As secondary deposits in the lungs were suspected, video-assisted thoracoscopy and anterolateral right minithoracotomy with atypical upper and lower lobe resection were performed. The frozen-section analysis suggested the benign nature of the lesion, and the definite histopathological finding of localised organising pneumonia was established. Due to bilateral lung lesions, corticosteroids were applied. Seven weeks later, the chest CT finding revealed a total regression of the lesions. Conclusion. A surgical resection was necessary to diagnose the localised organising pneumonia which mimiced secondary malignant lesions, thus establishing the definite etiology of lung lesions. Bronchoscopic cryobiopsy, recently introduced in order to obtain peripheral lung biopsy samples, has provided new possibilities in the diagnosis and treatment of neoplastic and non-neoplastic lung diseases

Molecular Epidemiology of Colistin-Resistant, Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in Serbia from 2013 to 2016

Twenty-seven colistin-resistant, carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were identified from hospitals in Serbia. All isolates were bla(CTX-M-15) positive; ST101, ST888, ST437, ST336, and ST307 were bla(OXA-48) positive; and ST340 was bla(NDM-1) positive. ST307 had an insertion, and ST336 had a premature stop codon in the mgrB gene. Amino acid substitutions were detected in PmrAB of isolates ST101, ST888, ST336, and ST307. The mcr-1 and mcr-2 were not detected. An increase in phoP, phoQ, and pmrK gene transcription was detected for all sequence types