Indonesian Journal Health Science and Medicine
Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): July

Gram-Negative Challenges: Assessing the Decline in Carbapenem Sensitivity Among Klebsiella Pneumoniae Isolates

Rasool Chaloob Hulyal (Department of pharmacology and toxicology, college of pharmacy, University of Basrah)



Article Info

Publish Date
06 Apr 2026

Abstract

General Background: Antimicrobial resistance represents a critical global health challenge, particularly among Gram-negative pathogens such as Klebsiella pneumoniae. Specific Background: Carbapenems have served as last-resort therapies for multidrug-resistant infections; however, increasing resistance among K. pneumoniae threatens their clinical utility. Knowledge Gap: Longitudinal epidemiological evidence describing temporal susceptibility trends and associated clinical factors remains underexplored. Aims: This study evaluates temporal changes in carbapenem susceptibility among K. pneumoniae clinical isolates using cumulative antibiogram surveillance. Results: A retrospective analysis of 512 isolates (July 2024–September 2025) demonstrated a marked decline in susceptibility to imipenem (92% to 78%) and meropenem (93% to 82%), with significant reductions between early and late periods (p < 0.05; p < 0.01). Resistance rates increased alongside higher prevalence of carbapenemase-producing strains and MDR/XDR phenotypes. Epidemiological patterns shifted from mixed community–hospital distribution to predominantly nosocomial transmission, particularly in intensive care units, with associations to mechanical ventilation, prolonged hospitalization, invasive devices, and prior broad-spectrum antibiotic exposure. Temporal clustering indicated outbreak-like dynamics in critical care settings. Novelty: This study provides longitudinal antibiogram-based evidence linking declining carbapenem susceptibility with ICU-centered transmission and resistance clustering. Implications: Findings underscore the need for strengthened antimicrobial stewardship, continuous surveillance, and targeted infection control strategies to mitigate hospital-driven dissemination of resistant K. pneumoniae. Highlights:• Progressive reduction in carbapenem sensitivity observed over 15 months• Resistance patterns concentrated within critical care environments• Transmission dynamics shifted toward hospital-dominated infection sources Keywords: Klebsiella Pneumoniae, Antimicrobial Resistance, Carbapenem Resistance, Nosocomial Transmission, Antibiogram Surveillance

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ijhsm

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions Medicine & Pharmacology Public Health Veterinary

Description

Focus: The Indonesian Journal on Health Science and Medicine (IJHSM) focus to advance the field of health science and medicine by publishing high-quality, peer-reviewed research articles, reviews, and case studies. Our journal serves as a platform for researchers, clinicians, and healthcare ...