Question

Describe how KPC production can be detected and why KPC-producing bacteria are often difficult to detect.

Answer 1

Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) producing bacteria are one of the highly drug resistant organisms which have significant impact on morbidity and mortality.

KPC production can be detected by reducing the permeability of the outer membrane in the bacteria where the KPC compounds are made. The reduced permeability can increase the bacterial resistance to carbapenums and this can lead to easier detection of KPC producing bacteria by laboratories. Also, we can use ertapenum MIC assay for KPC resistant strains which can act as the most sensitive indicator for KPC production.

KPC producing bacteria are often difficult to detect with standard susceptibility testing and Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods due to high phenotypic heterogenecity and low amont the KPC producing bacterial resistance. Misidentification in the laboratory microbial culture testing due to lack for focused techniques and sensitivity assays are one of the major reasons why KPC-producing bacteria are often difficult to detect.