Epidemiological Profile and Detection of Resistance Genes in Bloodstream Infection in Cancer Patients: High Occurrence of Metallo-β-lactamases in Enterobacteriales

Abstract Bloodstream infections remain one of the most common major complications in cancer patients. The aim of the study was to describe the etiology, phenotypic and molecular epidemiology of ICS isolates from cancer patients. Method: identification and the resistance profile were carried out using the automated biochemical method Vitek 2®. The presence and genes resistant to carbapenemases blaIMP, blaVIM, blaGIM, blaSIM, blaSPM, blaKPC, blaNDM, genes oxacilinase blaOXA-48, blaOXA-58, and the presence of ESBL genes blaSHV, blaCTX, blaTEM for Gram-negatives, as well as, mecA, vanA and vanB for Gram-positives were investigated in blood culture isolates. Result: Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most frequent pathogens. The serine-β-lactamase gene blaOXA-48 was the most frequent, followed by MβL blaSIM. blaTEM and blaCTX were the most common among ESBL. The mecA and vanA genes were found in Staphylococcus spp. and Enterococcus faecium, respectively. Candida spp showed high resistance to voriconazole and fluconazole. Conclusion: measures to prevent and control the spread of resistance genes are essential to reduce the risks of morbidity and mortality.