DETECTION OF BLAKPC-2GENE AMONGCARBAPENEM-RESISTANT SERRATIAMARCESCENSISOLATES FROM EGYPT.

Background:-Serratia marcescens is a common healthcare-associated pathogen affecting several body sites. The emergence of carbapenem-resistant S. marcescens strains in the healthcare settings is a matter of great clinical concern. Objective:-This study was conducted todetect the frequency of BlaKPC-2gene encoding for Klebsiellapneumoniae carbapenemase-2 (KPC-2) among carbapenem-resistantS. marcescens isolates. Materials and Methods:-A prospective cohort study was conducted over a period of 12 months starting from December 2014 to November 2015. Clinical specimens were collected from patients admitted to different medical centers in Mansoura University. S. marcescens isolates were identified based on colony morphology, Gram staining characters, and standard biochemical reactions. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was determined by the disk diffusion method. The modified Hodge test (MHT) was performed for detection of carbapenemase production by S. marcescens isolates. Genetic detection of BlaKPC-2gene among carbapenem-resistant S. marcescens isolates was validated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results:-During the study period, a total of 23 S. marcescens isolates were recovered from different clinical specimens. 17 isolates (74%) exhibited either resistance or reduced susceptibility to the tested carbapenems. The MHT was positive in 76.5% of the carbapenem non-susceptibleS. marcescens isolates. PCR amplicons revealed the presence of BlaKPC-2gene in12 out of the 17 (70.6%) carbapenem resistant S. marcescens isolates. Conclusion:-Carbapenem-resistant S. marcescensdue to KPC-2 represents a leading threat in healthcare facilities.So, effective measures should be endorsed to prevent the potential propagation of these pathogens.