Molecular identification of some virulence genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from different clinical cases

The aim of this work was to acquire a better understanding of the molecular epidemiological aspects of Klebsiella pneumoniae in Iraq, which is critical for the prevention and management of K. pneumoniae infection and transmission. Two genes involved in antibiotic resistance, blaTEM and blaSHV, were detected. Results showed that 100% of the isolates exhibited both blaTEM and blaSHV, which suggests that both genes are carried on the same plasmid due to the fact that they were presented in all isolates. The presence of wzi, a gene required for capsular polysaccharide, and rmpA, a capsule synthesis accelerator, was detected in all Klebsiella isolates, indicating the importance of both genes in antibiotic-resistant K. pneumoniae and demonstrating that all Klebsiella strains under study are polysaccharide producers and thus may be strong biofilm producers. This study reveals that the clinical isolates randomly selected were highly pathogenic which is considered a threat to health providers in Iraq.