Detection of Carbepenem Resistance Genes among Selected Gram Negative Bacteria Isolated from Patients in -Khartoum State, Sudan

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative rods (CR-GNR) are gaining increasing importance in healthcare settings, especially in high-dependency units and among critically ill patients. These bacteria are frequently resistant to all antibiotics except colistin, some aminoglycosides and variably tigecycline, posing a serious challenge for treatment. CR-GNR cause infections associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Data on the prevalence of carbapenem resistant genes in Sudan is limited. This study, aimed to determine the prevalence of (CR-GNR) isolated from clinical specimens in khartoum, Sudan during January 2015 to August 2015. Methods: A total of 83 Carbapenem resistant clinical isolates (Klebsiella pneumoniae n=21 Escherichia coli n=7, Pseudomonas aeruginosa n=15, citrobacter n=2, proteus n=1 and Acinetobacter baumannii n= 37 were screened for the presence of carbapenemases (blaTEM, blaVIM, blaIMP, blaSHV, blaCTX and blaKPC genes) by using Multiplex PCR. Results: Out of 83 isolates 68 were Tem gene positive while, 50 isolates were Vim gene positive, Imp gene was present in 42 isolates, Kpc gene in 41 isolates, Ctx gene present in 40 isolates and Shv gene in 15 isolates. TEM gene was the predominant gene among the positive (antibiotic resistant) species. Conclusion: Detection of the genes related with carbapenemase production indicated widespread prevalence and multiplicity of these genes in carbapenem resistant clinical isolates. The results also showed that the multiplex PCR as reliable, fast method for the detection of these genes.