Detection of and genes in carbapenem-resistant clinical strains in Bahrain.

Introduction: Carbapenem-resistant has emerged as a life-threatening infectious agent worldwide. Carbapenemase genes are reported to be some of the most common mechanisms for carbapenem resistance in . No reports are available from the Kingdom of Bahrain about carbapenem resistance and the underlying cause. In this study, we determined to study the presence of the metallo-beta-lactamase () genes of family and in carbapenem-resistant strains.

Methodology: Fifty carbapenem-resistant isolates were obtained from three main hospitals of Bahrain. They were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing by disc diffusion test. Subsequently, MβL was detected by imipenem-ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) combined disc test and conventional polymerase chain reaction.

Results: Among 50 strains, 40 (80%) were imipenem resistant. Among the 40 imipenem-resistant strains, 35 (87.5%) strains were positive for the imipenem-EDTA combined disc test, and 21 (52%) were carrying MβL genes. Nineteen (47.5%) strains were positive for the gene; one (2.5%) strain was carrying the gene, while one strain was carrying both the and genes. None of the imipenem sensitive strains carried the or gene.

Conclusion: This is the first study to report the presence of the family gene and genes in imipenem-resistant isolates in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The study also confirms the multiple drug resistance by the MβL strains, attention should therefore from now on, be focused on prevention of further spread of such isolates by firm infection control measures, and to reduce its threat to public health.