Antibiotic Resistance, Biofilm formation, Molecular properties and Hypermucoviscosity in Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae

Abstract

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a major pathogen behind urinary tract infections (UTIs) and various other health issues and is exhibiting multidrug resistance. This study aimed to isolate, identify, and evaluate the antibiotic resistance and biofilm-forming capacity of K. pneumoniae from diverse clinical samples. Out of 190 samples that were processed, 98 were found to be culture-positive. Of which 45% were confirmed as K. pneumoniae, predominantly from urine samples. Notably, a higher prevalence of K. pneumoniae infection was observed among male patients.

Biofilm formation was noted in most of the isolates, which were classified as high biofilm producers, moderate biofilm producers, or weak biofilm producers. Biofilm producers demonstrated increased rates of antibiotic resistance, with the isolates showing resistance to cefuroxime, ceftazidime, gentamicin, meropenem, and imipenem in 77.1%, 74%, 68.4%, 58%, and 55% of cases, respectively. Colistin was evaluated for multiple multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains, and was effective against most of the isolates tested.

Beta-lactamase production was confirmed in the isolates by the double-disc synergy test and 5 ESBL-producing isolates tested positive for the blaCTX-M gene. Agarose gel electrophoresis of PCR products displayed separate amplicons in the 550-to-600 bp range, suggesting the potential presence of blaCTX-M-1. This points to an increased prevalence of biofilm-forming ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae, emphasizing the need to strengthen antibiotic stewardship, infection control practices, and explore alternative therapeutic strategies to address emerging multidrug resistance.

Keywords
Fixed Mindset, Growth Mindset, Social Maturity and Emotional Adjustment.