Measuring hydrolytic activity of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates

In order to establish an assay for measuring the enzymatic activity of antibiotic resistant bacteria, clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) demonstrating resistance were assayed for the presence of carbapenemases. Enzymatic activity was quantified by spectrophotometrically monitoring degradation of the carbapenem class antibiotic, Imipenem. Clinical isolates KP286 and KP1575 both demonstrated significant hydrolytic activity against Imipenem. The established assay can be used to identify the presence of antibiotic resistance enzymes and quantify their activity.