Introduction:
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a significant cause of morbidity. They can becategorizedas asymptomatic bacteriuria, uncomplicated UTI, andcomplicated UTI such as catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI). Broad-spectrum antibiotics are frequently usedin UTIS leading to increasing the incidence of resistant uropathogens as Carbapenem resistant Enterobacterales (CRE).In Egypt 49.7%of the Enterobacterales isolated are carbapenem resistant. The mainresistance mechanism of CRE is Carbapenemase-production classes A, B and D. Rapid detection of CRE can be lifesaving. Detection mechanisms includes phenotypic (rapid colorimetric assays (Carba NP), growth-based assays (modified carbapenem inactivationmethod (mCIM)), Spectrophotometric assays, (MALDI-TOF MS), carbapenem hydrolysis assays, immunochromatogenic assays) and genotypic methods.CRE typically carries resistance determinants to β-lactams, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones, their treatment options are constrained.Implementing a multimodal strategy for their control including early detection, contact precautions, patient isolation, hand and environmental cleanliness, and antibiotic stewardship, are the first steps in stopping the spread of CRE infection.
Aim:
The present study aims to evaluate the performance of three phenotypic methods compared to a molecular-based technique for carbapenemase detection in fifty clinical Enterobacterales isolates from urine samples of cases with urinary tract infection and determining their applicability in clinical and epidemiological settings.