Prevalence of class A ESBL, class B and D carbapenemase encoding genes (CTX-M, TEM, SHV, NDM, IMP, OXA-48) in gram-negative bacterial pathogens isolated from various clinical samples collected from northern region of United Arab Emirates
Authors: Ragupathi Premalatha , Khamisani Vaneezeh , Sadiq Aisha Fadila , Mobiddo Mariam Aylu , Rahamathullah Nazeerullah , Bagchi Sovan , Kamian Ala , Parwaiz Nasir , Akhtar Mohammad Shahid 
Published: January 2024

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of class A ESBL, class B and D carbapenemase encoding genes (blaCTX-M, blaTEM, blaSHV, blaNDM, blaIMP and blaOXA-48) in gram-negative bacterial pathogens isolated from various clinical samples collected from northern region of UAE.

Methods

A laboratory based experimental study was conducted from October 14, 2021, to June 30, 2022. A total of 3670 various clinical samples (urine, blood, pus, and sputum) were obtained from patients attending the in and out-patient departments of Thumbay University Hospital and various other hospitals of Northern Emirates of UAE, processed for routine bacterial culture examination and determined their antibiotic sensitivity pattern especially ESBL and carbapenem resistance using MicroScan Neg Breakpoint Combo 50 panel. Molecular detection of class A ESBL, class B and D carbapenemase encoding genes (blacTX-M, blaTEM, blaSHV blaNDM, blaIMP & blaOXA-48) were performed on the ESBL and carbapenemase producing gram negative bacteria. Partial genomic sequencing and phylogenetic tree analysis was performed on the most predominant ESBL gene blaCTX-M.

Results

In total, 1098 bacterial cultures were obtained, of which 833 were gram negative bacteria and among them, 209 (25.1%) were ESBL producers and 40 (4.8%) were both ESBL and carbapenemase producers. In all the 249 bacterial isolates, the ESBL and carbapenemase encoding genes (blaCTX-M,blaTEM,blaSHV,blaNDM&blaIMP) were detected exceptblaOXA-48. TheblaCTX-M(n=72)was the predominantly harbored gene followed byblaTEM(n=56)andblaSHV(n=29),mostly detected inE. coli (n=157), thenK. pneumoniae (n=41), P. aeruginosa (n=18)&A. baumannii (n=7).TheblaNDM&blaIMPwere detected inK. pneumoniae (n=4), A. baumannii (n=3)andP. aeruginosa (n=2)forblaIMP. The gene combinations such asblaCTX-M+TEM(n=15),blaCTX-M+SHV(n=15),blaCTX-M+TEM+blaSHV(n=6)were co-harbored in 36E. coliand in theK. pneumoniae, theblaCTX-M+TEM(n=15),blaCTX-M+SHV(n=15),blaTEM+SHV(n=3), blaTEM+NDM(n=1)were detected. TheblaCTX-M+TEM,blaCTX-M+SHV&blaCTX-M+TEM+SHV+IMPwere detected in oneP. aeruginosaand in oneA. baumannii,theblaTEM+NDM, blaTEM+IMP&blaCTX-M+TEM+SHV+IMPwere detected.

Conclusion

The highest bacterial culture positivity was detected in the urine samples. 25.1% of the Gram-ve bacteria were only ESBL producers and 4.8% were both the ESBL & carbapenemase producers. 44.5% of ESBL & carbapenemase producing bacteria harbored theblaCTX-Mand mostly detected in theE. coli,thenK. pneumoniaeandP. mirabilis.Multiple gene combinations were detected in 5%P. aeruginosa,10%A. baumanniiand 3.82%E. coli. This finding highlights the importance of molecular detection of ESBL & carbapenemase producing genes to emphasize the monitor and control the development of multi drug resistant Gram-ve bacterial pathogens.