OXA-48-producing Enterobacteriaceae in North of Morocco: Data from regional hospital of Tangier

Abstract

Introduction: This is a three-year retro-prospective study aimed at assessing the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and to study three-year retrospective study aimed at determining the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and analyzing the characteristics of OXA-48 producers.

Methodology: Six thousand one hundred eighteen bacteriological samples were assessed at Mohamed V Regional Hospital microbiology laboratory in Tangier, Morocco.

Results: Of the 1,228 identifiedEnterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli was the most isolated bacteria (68%). Fifty-eight Enterobacteriaceaewere resistant to carbapenem (4.7%). Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli,andEnterobacter cloacaewere the most common carbapenemase-producing isolates (43.1%, 27.5%, and 20.7%, respectively). All isolates were resistant to ertapenem, 62% to imipenem, whereas the lowest rate of resistance to carbapenems was against meropenem (51%). Among carbapenemase-producing isolates, 13.8% also produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamase. Most carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates harbored the gene bla_OXA-48(84.5%).

Conclusions: Our findings highlight the alarming situation of the probable misuse of antibiotics. Awareness-raising sessions about the appropriate use of antibiotics and improving hospital hygiene are highly needed.