Detection of CTX-M-1 gene Among Klebsiella pneumonia Isolates in An Najaf Province

Resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniaes trains to the broad-spectrum antibiotics may be caused by extended-spectrum β-lacta+mases (ESBLs). This study was aimed to determine the antimicrobial resistance patterns and prevalence of extended spectrum beta lactamase gene (CTX-M-1) among isolates of K. pneumoniae.A total of 62 K. pneumoniae isolates were collected from two hospitals in An Najaf -Iraq, during 6-month study (2013-2014). The antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates was determined by disc diffusion method and interpreted according to the clinical and laboratory standards institute (CLSI) recommendations. Production of ESBL was determined by the presence of CTX-M-1gene using PCR technique. Most of the isolates showed high level of resistance: 37 isolates were simultaneously resistant to Amoxicillin-Clavulanic acid, Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone, Aztreonam, and Ceftazidime (37/62, 59.6%). All were susceptible to Imipenem and Ciprofloxacin. The results of PCR study revealed that 60.1% of the isolates were ESBL positive. This study highlighted the need to establish antimicrobial resistance surveillance networks for K. pneumoniae to determine the appropriate empirical treatment regimens.