Detection of Carbapenem-Resistance Genes inKlebsiellaSpecies Recovered from Selected Environmental Niches in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) have been heavily linked to hospital acquired infections (HAI) thereby leading to futility of antibiotics in treating infections and this have complicated public health problems. There is little knowledge about carbapenemase-producingKlebsiellaspp. (CPK) in South Africa. This study aimed at determining the occurrence of CPK in different samples collected from selected environmental niches (hospitals, wastewater treatment plants, rivers, farms) in three district municipalities located in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Molecular identification and characterization of the presumptive isolates were determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and isolates that exhibited phenotypic carbapenem resistance were further screened for the possibility of harbouring antimicrobial resistance genes. One hundred (43%) of the 234 confirmedKlebsiellaspp. isolates harboured carbapenem-resistance genes; 10 isolates harbouredbla(OXA-48-like); 17 harbouredbla(KPC); and 73 isolates harbouredbla(NDM-1). The emergence ofbla(KPC),bla(OXA-48-like), andbla(NDM-1)carbapenem-resistance genes inKlebsiellaspecies associated with environmental sources is of great concern to public health.