Virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from urinary tract infections

INTRODUCTION: Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) is an opportunistic pathogen associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs) and exhibits increasing antibiotic resistance and virulence. METHODS: Ten K. pneumoniae isolates from UTIs were analyzed for antibiotic susceptibility using the disc diffusion method and classified as multidrug-resistant (MDR) if resistant to at least three antibiotic classes. PCR was employed to detect virulence genes (mrkA, mrkD, capP, entB) and resistance determinants (blaSHV, dfrA1, tetB, aadA1, sul1, qnr). RESULTS: All isolates were resistant to tetracycline, and 80% showed resistance to ampicillin-sulbactam. Six isolates (60%) were MDR. Virulence genes mrkA and mrkD were present in 70% of isolates, while capP and entB were detected in 60%. Resistance genes blaSHV, aadA1, tetB, sul1, dfrA1, and qnr were detected in 80%, 60%, 100%, 40%, 30%, and 40% of isolates, respectively. MDR isolates generally carried more virulence factors than non-MDR isolates. CONCLUSION: Although the study involves a limited number of isolates, the coexistence of multidrug resistance and multiple virulence genes highlights the potential clinical risk of K. pneumoniae in UTIs. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing surveillance and cautious antibiotic use.