Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of extended‑spectrum beta‑ lactamase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates in an Indian tertiary hospital

There is an increased prevalence of extended‑spectrum beta‑lactamase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL‑KP) worldwide including India, which is a major concern for the clinicians, especially in intensive care units and pediatric patients. This study aims to determine the prevalence of ESBL‑KP and antimicrobial sensitivity profile to plan a proper hospital infection control program to prevent the spread of resistant strains.

KP isolates obtained from various clinical samples were evaluated to detect the production of ESBL by phenotypic methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility profile was also determined of all the isolates.

Of 223 nonduplicate isolates of K. pneumoniae, 114 (51.1%) were ESBL producer and antimicrobial susceptibility profile showed the isolates were uniformly sensitive to imipenem and highly susceptible to beta‑lactamase inhibitor combination drugs(67–81%) and aminoglycosides (62–76%), but less susceptible to third generation cephalosporins (14–24%) and non‑β‑lactam antibiotics such as nitrofurantoin (57%), fluoroquinolones (29–57%), piperacillin (19–23%), and aztreonam (15–24%).

This study found that beta‑lactamase inhibitor combinations are effective in treatment of such infections due to ESBL‑KP thus these drugs should be a part of the empirical therapy and carbapenems should be used when the antimicrobial susceptibility tests report resistance against inhibitors combinations.