Multiplex PCR Detection of Common Carbapenemase Genes and Identification of Clinically Relevant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae Complex

Rujirat Hatrongjit; Peechanika Chopjitt; Parichart Boueroy; Anusak Kerdsin

doi:10.3390/antibiotics12010076

Multiplex PCR Detection of Common Carbapenemase Genes and Identification of Clinically Relevant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae Complex

Antibiotics (Basel). 2022 Dec 31;12(1):76. doi: 10.3390/antibiotics12010076.

Authors

Rujirat Hatrongjit¹, Peechanika Chopjitt², Parichart Boueroy², Anusak Kerdsin²

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kasetsart University Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon 47000, Thailand.
² Faculty of Public Health, Kasetsart University Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon 47000, Thailand.

Abstract

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) species are top priority pathogens according to the World Health Organization. Rapid detection is necessary and useful for their surveillance and control globally. This study developed a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) detection of the common carbapenemase genes NDM, KPC, and OXA-48-like, together with identification of Escherichia coli, and distinguished a Klebsiella pneumoniae complex to be K. pneumoniae, K. quasipneumoniae, and K. variicola. Of 840 target Enterobacterales species, 190 E. coli, 598 K. pneumoniae, 28 K. quasipneumoniae, and 23 K. variicola. with and without NDM, KPC, or OXA-48-like were correctly detected for their species and carbapenemase genes. In contrast, for the Enterobacterales species other than E. coli or K. pneumoniae complex with carbapenemase genes, the mPCR assay could detect only NDM, KPC, or OXA-48-like. This PCR method should be useful in clinical microbiology laboratories requiring rapid detection of CRE for epidemiological investigation and for tracking the trends of carbapenemase gene dynamics.

Keywords: Escherichia coli; KPC; Klebsiella pneumoniae complex; NDM; OXA-48-like; PCR; carbapenemase.

Grants and funding

None/Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand (The program of Establishment of Knowledge and Innovation Products for Detection of Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria.)