1. Volume 31, Number 3 (10-2007)
Back to browse issues page 2007, 31(3): 241-245
Survey of drug resistance due to extended spectrum β-lactamases in Klebsiella pneumoniae strains
isolated from hospitalized patients
Author(s): Amirmozafari N , Tehrani HF, Tavaf Langeroodi Z , Abdullahi A , Miri Abyaneh M
Study Type: Original | Subject: Microbiology
Abstract: (7976 View)
Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the most important and prevalent bacterium isolated from clinical
cases especially from hospitalized patients. Recent studies have focused on multiple drug resistant
K.pneumoniae strains. In this survey, drug resistance in clinical isolates was studied with special reference to
extended spectrum β-lactamase. Methods: A total of 303 K.pneumoniae strains isolated from hospitalized
patients were initially surveyed for drug resistance by disc diffusion method. The resistance of the isolated
strains to different antibiotics was determined by E-test. β-lactamase production was tested with nitrocephin
discs and extended spectrum β-lactamase assays were performed with double disc synergy tests. Results: From
the total of 303 K.pneumoniae isolates tested, 62, (20.4%), showed multi drug resistance, (MDR). All of these
MDR strains were positive for nitrocephin test, indicating β-lactamase production. Double disc synergy tests
results showed production of extended spectrum β-lactamase in all MDR isolates. Conclusion: Detection of
20.4% MDR strains, especially extended spectrum β-lactamase, from K. pneumoniae isolated from hospitalized
patients, emphasizes the potential dangers of the widespread usage of extended spectrum cephalosporins. It
also necessitates conduction of a wider study to determine the nationwide incidence of K. pneumoniae.
Keywords: Klebsiella pneumoniae, Extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL), Multiple Drug Resistance (MDR).,
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Back to browse issues page Volume 31, Number 3 (10-2007)