Rapid Screening of <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> Isolates Reveals Multidrug-Resistant and Virulence Traits in a Tertiary Level Hospital in Panama

Klebsiella pneumoniae remains a major cause of invasive infections and is highly capable of acquiring antimicrobial resistance. This exploratory study investigated the antimicrobial resistance profiles and virulence determinants of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates collected between January and December 2022 at a tertiary-care hospital in Panama City, Panama. A subset of 27 K. pneumoniae isolates was phenotypically and genetically characterized using antimicrobial susceptibility testing. (VITEK ® system), 16S rRNA gene sequencing, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and virulence gene screening. Our results indicated multidrug resistance (MDR) in 52% (14/27) of these isolates. Virulence gene analysis revealed a high prevalence of genes associated with fimbriae 96% (26/27), capsule formation 96% (26/27), lipopolysaccharide synthesis 59% (15/27), and siderophore production 48% (13/27). The MLST of 14 isolates harboring MDR, resistant, and susceptible phenotypes identified known sequence types (ST348, ST111, ST1104, ST6394, ST806, ST45, and ST163), as well as seven novel sequence types (ST6917–ST6923). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA sequences confirmed Klebsiella genus identity and proved close genetic relatedness among isolates. No clear association between MDR profiles and sequence types was observed. These findings suggest the uncontrolled widespread of MDR K. pneumoniae strains containing multiple virulence determinants in a high-complexity health care setting in Panama. We urge the need to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship programs and reinforce infection prevention strategies to limit the spread of high-risk clones and preserve antimicrobial efficacy.