Phenotypic Detection of Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Isolates and Assessment of Their Susceptibility to the Novel Ceftazidime-Avibactam Combination

Abstract

Background: Carbapenems have become one of the last lines of antimicrobials against Gram negative resistant microorganisms. But in last few years, Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) have been reported all over the world. Numerous phenotypic tests have been planned for detection of carbapenemase activity including the newer modified Carbapenem Inactivation Method (mCIM). There is a strong need for new antibiotics to mitigate the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Objectives:Evaluation of the mCIM as a new method for phenotypic detection of carbapenemaseproducing CRE and to test the in vitro susceptibility of the isolates to ceftazidimeavibactam. Methodology: Total of 25 CRE, isolated from 120 clinical specimens then identified by conventional methods over a 6 months period from