Molecular Characterization of Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from Sputum in a Tertiary Hospital in Xinxiang, China

Abstract

Background

In clinical practice, Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) is a common opportunistic pathogen responsible for nosocomial infection. This study aimed to analyze the trend of antimicrobial susceptibility and virulent characteristics of K. pneumoniae isolated from sputum. In clinics, data of the current study will help in the clinical treatment of K. pneumoniae infection.

Results

The current research showed the resistance rates of the 20 K. pneumoniae isolates against 13 antibiotics ranged from 15.0% to 80.0%. The detection rate of extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) was up to 55%, while bla_SHV was the most prevalent ESBLs genes. Four strains (25.0%) of K. pneumoniae presented hypermucoviscous phenotype (HMV). Moreover, 18 strains (90.0%) showed the stronger biofilm-forming ability. wzi, wab_G, fim_H, mrk_D were the most prevalent virulence genes in current research. Ten strains were found capsule typing and the higher genetic diversity of colonizing K. pneumoniae in this region. K₁₉ exhibited a strong positive correlation with imipenem resistance, while K₁ showed strong correlations with mag_A. Furthermore, HMV phenotype showed significantly negative correlations with multidrug-resistant.

Conclusion

In the hospital, the antibiotic resistance of K. pneumoniae (isolated from sputum samples) has a serious concern. Additionally, strains of K. pneumoniae show the higher genetic diversity.

Keywords:

• Klebsiella pneumoniae
• antimicrobial resistance
• resistant genes
• virulent genes
• biofilm-forming

Data Sharing Statement

The datasets supporting the conclusions of this article are included within the article (and the Supplementary Materials).

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

This research was carried out in accordance with Declaration of Helsinki. The informed consent have been voluntarily obtained from the participants and participants have been informed of the study including any of the benefits and risks involved. The research was approved by the Ethics Committee of Xinxiang Medical University.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by Science and Technology Research Project of Henan Province (grant 182102310553, 222102520036), the Project of Basic Medical College of Xinxiang Medical university (grant JCYXYKY202117), the Program for Innovative Research Team (in Science and Technology) in University of Henan Province (20IRTSTHN030), Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province for Distinguished Young Scholars (212300410013).