Detection of Carbapenemase Genes in Carbapenemase-producing <i>Klebsiella </i><i>pneumoniae</i> Isolated from Tay Nguyen Regional General Hospital, Vietnam

Background: Carbapenemase-producing <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> (CPKP) has emerged as a major global concern due to extensive antimicrobial resistance, limited therapeutic options, and significant mortality rates. This study aimed to characterize the molecular mechanisms of carbapenem resistance and assess the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of CPKP isolates collected from Tay Nguyen Regional General Hospital, Vietnam. Methods: Seventy-nine non-duplicate K. pneumoniae isolates resistant to at least one carbapenem were analyzed using the modified carbapenem inactivation method (mCIM) and real-time PCR to detect blaKPC, blaNDM, blaVIM and blaOXA-48-like genes. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested using the disk diffusion method following CLSI 2023 guidelines. Results: Among the 79 isolates, 62 (78.5%) were carbapenemase producers. The most prevalent carbapenemase gene was blaNDM (65.6%), followed by blaOXA-48-like (48.4%), blaKPC (35.9%) and blaVIM (32.8%). Co-harboring of multiple genes was common blaNDM+OXA-48-like (29.7%), blaKPC+NDM (21.9%). Resistance rates exceeded 90% for β-lactams, cephalosporins and quinolones, while all isolates remained susceptible to colistin. Conclusions: The predominance of blaNDM and blaOXA-48-like genes highlights the evolving resistance landscape in Vietnam. Strengthening molecular surveillance, infection control and rational antibiotic use is essential to prevent the spread of multidrug-resistant pathogens.