First Report of New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase-1 (NDM-1) Among Escherichia Coli Strains Isolated from Leukemia Patients in Iran

Abstract

Background: Escherichia coli has appeared as an important opportunistic pathogen responsible for nosocomial infections in Patients with immunodeficiency particularly in leukemia patients. New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM-1) is an enzyme that class of beta-lactam antibiotics and is used in treatment of multi-drug resistant (MDR) infections. Case Presentation: In this study, 80 isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae collected over the course of two years from two medical centers of Tehran, Iran. Production of carbapenemase was detected of the isolates using MHT. New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1 (blaNDM-1) genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification with specific primers 2 blaNDM-1 producing E.coli strains were isolated from 2 leukemia of patients, The isolates were resistant to carbapenems (imipenem, meropenem),two isolates were positive for carbapenemase production by Modified Hodge test.Conclusions: The emerging of NDM-1 producing E. coli is a threat for leukemia patients in Oncology and hematology departments. We concluded that the incidence of MDR pathogens increased amang patients with leukemia and is life threatening.