Characterization of Carbapenem-Resistant K. Pneumoniae Isolated from Intensive Care Units of Zagazig University Hospitals

The advent of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) poses a significant challenge to public health, as carbapenems are typically employed as a last resort to treat nosocomial infections caused by such organisms, especially in intensive care units (ICUs). This study aims to characterize the CRKP isolated from patients admitted to the Zagazig University Hospitals (ZUHs) ICU in Egypt. About 56.2%, 41.0%, and 32.4% of the isolates indicated the presence of bla(NDM), bla(OXA-48), and bla(KPC), respectively. Carbapenemase-encoding genes were found in many isolates, and bla(NDM) was the most predominant gene. Nevertheless, this situation has become a heavy burden in developing countries, including Egypt, and is associated with substantial morbidity, mortality, and increased healthcare expenses.