Antimicrobial Resistance and Biofilm Formation in Klebsiella pneumoniae Clinical Isolates

Antimicrobial Resistance and Biofilm Formation in Klebsiella pneumoniae Clinical Isolates Sivaranjani Gowrinathan https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2153-9979 Gayathri Gururajan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3648-2411 Kathireshan A. Kaliyaperumal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0164-5252 Leah Ashrita Samson Rajyoganandh Subramanian Vijayaraman https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3867-2999 Senthil Renganathan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8451-9832

The prevalence of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae is extensive, both in healthcare settings and the general population. Biofilm formation in K. pneumoniae plays a key role in infection pathogenesis and serves as important defensive strategy against antibiotics and immune evasion. This study examined the presence of efflux pumps, potential for biofilm development, and antibiotic susceptibility profiles of K. pneumoniae clinical isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of K. pneumoniae isolates was performed using the disc diffusion method. All isolates were tested for efflux pump presence using the cartwheel method, and biofilm production was estimated using tissue culture plate, tube, and Congo red agar methods. PCR amplification was performed using specific primers to detect genes encoding drug resistance and biofilm formation. All 17 isolates of K. pneumoniae isolates exhibited multidrug- resistance and functional efflux pumps. Nevertheless, the capacity of these organisms to produce biofilms differed, with eight (47%) strong biofilm formers, seven (41%) moderate biofilm formers, and two (11%) weak biofilm formers. The antibiotic resistance genes, blaCTX-M , blaKPC , and blaNDM were present in 15 (88%), 11 (64%), and seven (41%) K. pneumoniae isolates, respectively. The genes, acrAB, tolC, and mdtK, encoded efflux pumps present in 12 (70%), 15 (88%), and 10 (58%) isolates, respectively. Biofilm genes, mrkD, fimH, and luxS, were present in 16 (94%) isolates. This study revealed multiple factors that lead to the notable drug resistance observed in K. pneumoniae isolates. Therefore, it is advisable to implement a holistic strategy for managing diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria.
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