Molecular characterization of carbapenemases production among environmental Gram-negative isolates at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: first detection of NDM Producers in hospital environments

Shemse Sebre; Aminu Seman; Tewachew Awoke; Woldaregay Erku Abegaz; Wude Mihret; Adane Mihret; Tamrat Abebe; Zelalem Desalegn

doi:10.3855/jidc.20561

Molecular characterization of carbapenemases production among environmental Gram-negative isolates at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: first detection of NDM Producers in hospital environments

Authors

Shemse Sebre Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1394-3510
Aminu Seman Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6444-7640
Tewachew Awoke Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2493-8461
Woldaregay Erku Abegaz Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8622-7227
Wude Mihret Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Adane Mihret Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tamrat Abebe Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Zelalem Desalegn Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9643-8661

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.20561

Keywords:

Carbapenem-resistance, multidrug-resistant (MDR), β-lactamase, carbapenemase

Abstract

Introduction: The Gram-Negative bacteria, particularly carbapenem-resistant strains (CR-GNB), pose a global health threat due to high morbidity and mortality. Detecting carbapenemase-encoding genes is essential for understanding their spread in hospital environments. This study investigated environmental colonization by CR-GNB in Ethiopian hospitals, including genetic characterization of resistance genes.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study analyzed 103 environmental GNB isolates collected from inanimate surfaces at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH) and ALERT Hospital (June–September 2021). Conventional microbiological methods identified the isolates, and antimicrobial susceptibility was tested using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Carbapenemase production was screened using the Modified Hodge test (MHT) and combined disk test (CDT). Resistance genes (bla_KPC,bla_NDM_,bla_OXA-48) were detected via PCR in isolates with reduced meropenem susceptibility.

Results: The predominant GNB were Acinetobacter baumannii (47%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (33%), and E. coli (12%). Among 103 isolates, 62% showed reduced meropenem susceptibility. The most common CR-GNB was Acinetobacter baumannii (37.5%), followed by E. coli (18.8%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (12.5%). Carbapenemase production was detected in 41.7% of isolates via PCR, with bla_NDM being the most common (43 isolates). Linens (26.4%) and beds (21.4%) had the highest contamination rates. Most carbapenemase-producing isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR).

Conclusions: The presence of bla_NDM and bla_KPC genes highlights hospital surfaces as reservoirs for resistance genes, contributing to healthcare-associated infections. Routine surveillance and early detection of carbapenemase producers are crucial for infection control and antimicrobial resistance management.

Author Biography

Aminu Seman, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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Published

2025-04-29

How to Cite

Sebre S, Seman A, Awoke T, Abegaz WE, Mihret W, Mihret A, Abebe T, Desalegn Z (2025) Molecular characterization of carbapenemases production among environmental Gram-negative isolates at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: first detection of NDM Producers in hospital environments. J Infect Dev Ctries 19:512–519. doi: 10.3855/jidc.20561

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Issue

Vol. 19 No. 04: April 2025

Section

Original Articles

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