Molecular Profile of Emerging Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae Clinical Isolates in Diabetic Patients

The emergence of multidrug-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (MDR-hvKp) strains has become a significant concern in healthcare settings worldwide. This study aims to elucidate the current landscape of MDR-hvKp infections in diabetic patients, shedding light on the challenges posed by these pathogens and highlighting the urgent need for concerted efforts in surveillance, prevention, and treatment to mitigate their impact on public health. This is the prospective study conducted over a period of 12 months. This study consisted all non-duplicate n = 500 different clinical samples from diabetic patients which were received for bacterial culture in the microbiology department during the study period. Determination of antimicrobial susceptibility and drug resistance was performed by conventional and molecular methods. Among Klebsiella pneumoniae Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) positive isolates of K. pneumoniae, 53 isolates showed presence of blaSHV (n = 53, 77.9%), blaTEM (n = 51, 75%) and blaCTX-M (n = 42, 61.7%), blaTEM with blaSHV positive for 31 isolates, blaTEM with blaCTX-M positive for 27 isolates and 19 isolates were positive for blaTEM with blaSHV and blaCTX-M. Among 32 Metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) positive K. pneumoniae, blaKPC was positive for (n = 32, 47%), blaVIM + blaIMP (n = 31, 45.5%), blaVIM (n = 28, 41.1%), blaIMP (n = 24, 35.2%) and blaKPC + blaVIM (n = 23, 33.8%) were identified. The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance is limiting the potential treatment choices for diseases caused by bacteria that have developed resistance to drugs.