Abstract
Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the frequency and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of
Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae among clinical isolates in Karachi, Pakistan.
Materials and Methods: This observational study was conducted at Ziauddin University Hospital, Karachi,
Pakistan, from January to December 2017. The consecutive clinical isolates of the Enterobacteriaceae were
collected and analyzed, using established conventional microbiological techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility
testing and Carbapenem resistance were detected by the initial screen test using the CLSI method. Statistical
analysis was performed by SPSS version 17.
Results: The total of 2100 clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae attained during this study time period, were
predominantly from female patients 1300/2100 (61.9%), while male patients were 800/2100 (38.1%). The femaleto-male ratio was 1.6:1. The overall frequency of CRE among isolates of Enterobacteriaceae was 136/2100 (6.5%).
Within individual organism group Klebsiella species had highest {108/136 (79.41%)} frequency, followed by E.coli
22 (18.38%) and Enterobacter species 03 (2.21%). All CRE isolates were sensitive to Colistin and Fosfomycin. No
resistance was observed against Tigecycline among Carbapenem-resistant isolates of E. coli and Enterobacter
species.
Conclusion: Both Colistin and Fosfomycin antimicrobials can be considered empirical treatment options for CRE
suspected infections. Better practices and changes in policy matters are required to improve the deteriorating
situation of health care.
Keywords: Antimicrobial Susceptibility, Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae, Klebsiella. Escherichia coli.
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