Detection and characterization of carbapenem resistant gram negative bacteria in the United Arab Emirates.

Description :

The worldwide emergence and dissemination of gram negative bacteria resistant to carbapenems due to production of carbapenemases poses an important public health concern, and is associated with significant increase in morbidity and mortality. The objectives of this project lasting from January 2016 to December 2018 include evaluation of the extent of dissemination, types, and genetic relatedness of β-lactamases among Gram-negative strains in the UAE. To accomplish the above goals, isolates resistant to carbapenems will be collected from various hospitals and will be subject to phenotypic tests to determine Ambler classes of β-lactamases (A, B, C, and D) including cloxacillin inhibition for AmpC-β-lactamases, double-disk synergy for ESBLs, and inhibition of metallo-β-lactamases by EDTA. PCR and sequencing will detect carbapenemase-encoding genes, while Pulsed-Field-Gel-electrophoresis will determine the genetic relatedness of the strains. The study results will indicate the extent of dissemination and types of carbapenemases in these gram-negative isolates, which represent useful information for endemicity and appropriate infection control.