Molecular Characterization and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiling of Carbapenemase Producing E. coli and Klebsiella spp. Isolates of Bovine Origin in Awadh Region of Uttar Pradesh

Background: Carbapenems are used as last resort of antibiotics to treat infection caused by multi-drug resistant pathogens of human, hence resulting into emergence and dissemination of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). The occurrence of CRE among livestock is of great concern as these can be transferred to human and animals through adulterated food, water and environment. Therefore a specific study on the occurrence of CRE and their AMR profiling is warranted with regard to therapeutic options. Methods: Total 240 faecal samples were collected from Ayodhya and Sultanpur districts of Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh (India). The E. coli and Klebsiella spp. isolates were confirmed by PCR analysis using species specific uidA and 16S rRNA genes respectively. Carbapenemase producing isolates were confirmed by DDST, MBL E-strip and PCR analysis by targeting bla-NDM, bla-KPC and bla-OXA-48 genes. Antibiotic resistance profiling was performed against 20 antibiotics of 12 different classes. Result: In this study, PCR analysis revealed 90.80% confirmed isolates including 71.67% E. coli and 19.16% Klebsiella spp., out of which 36/218 (16.51%) and 28/218 (12.84%) isolates were confirmed as carbapenemase producer by DDST and MBL E-strip test respectively. Carbapenemase genes were detected in 17/218 (7.80%) isolates and among them bla-KPC gene was detected in both isolates while bla-NDM and bla-OXA-48 were detected only in E. coli and Klebsiella spp. respectively. All phenotypically confirmed carbapenemase positive isolates of E. coli and Klebsiella spp. were found 100% sensitive to aminoglycosides, polypeptides and 85-100% resistance against carbapenem, 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporines, monobactams and penicillin class of antibiotics.