Comprehensive Analysis of Antibiotic Resistance and Molecular Characterization of Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) and Metallo-Beta-Lactamase (MBL) Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates from Poultry Sources

Due to its increasing prevalence, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest public health concerns. Multiple studies have shown that the main cause of resistance in gram-negative bacteria is the formation of ESBL. Gram-negative bacteria, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, are often susceptible to popular antibiotics like penicillins and cephalosporins. However, when these bacteria create extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), they develop resistance to these drugs. The global threat posed by Enterobacteriaceae that produce ESBLs has been consistently increasing. Klebsiella pneumoniae is a non-motile bacterium with a capsule, rod-shaped structure, and is categorized as Gram-negative. This work focused on analyzing the morphological and molecular features of Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) and Metallo-Beta-Lactamase (MBL) producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates from Poultry sources. The strains were obtained from different sources in three different cities of Pakistan. We analyzed the antibiogram profiles of the samples and investigated their profiles of resistance genes. The results demonstrate that K. pneumoniae isolates were found in 49% (49/100) of the poultry samples. Specifically, 15 (75%) were collected from Chicken ceca, 10 (50%) from the heart, 10 (50%) from the liver, 9 (45%) from the lungs, and 5 (25%) from the trachea. Following incubation on MacConkey agar, colonies that were suspected to be K. pneumoniae were identified using phenotypic testing. The results showed that out of the 49 strains tested, 26 (53%) were found to be multidrug-resistant (MDR), 21 (43%) were positive for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), and 12 (25%) were positive for metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) according to the double-disk synergy test (DDST). These strains exhibited resistance to augmentin (92%), ceftazidime (59%), piperacillin/tazobactam (59%), cefotaxime (57%), doxycycline (55%), ceftriaxone (53%), aztreonam (49%), meropenem (46%), and imipenem (46%). The genotypic prevalence of blaCTX-M-1 was 30%, blaIMP was 14%, and blaVIM was 8%. The occurrence of ESBL and MBL-producing bacteria in chicken samples is substantial, and there is a consistent rise in levels of antibiotic resistance. Hence, it is imperative to use prudence while prescription antibiotics and guarantee their optimal utilization.