Phenotypic Characterization of Virulence Factors and Antibiogram of Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates from Various Clinical Samples – A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

K. pneumoniae is known to cause hospital and community acquired infections. It is usually associated with upper & lower respiratory infections, septicaemia, urinary tract infection, wound infections, neonatal sepsis, meningitis, and endophthalmitis. The virulence factors play a role in its existence in different environmental conditions and therefore help in establishing Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in the human body. Multi drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae is an increasing threat to human health. Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the species recognized as nosocomial pathogens that exhibit multidrug resistance and virulence in ESKAPE group as per WHO. The study was conducted to determine the various virulence factors & the antimicrobial pattern of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. A cross sectional observational study, conducted in Department of Microbiology of R.L. Jalappa Hospital and Research Centre, Kolar, Sample size of 150. All 150 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates collected for the study, The Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates which were positive for various virulence factors were as follows on hemolysis 7(4.66%), capsule 150(100%), Hypermucoviscosity formation 66(44%), biofilm production 81(54%), siderophore production 110(73.33%), protease 135(90%), gelatinase 126(84%), lipase production 119(79.33%), lecithinase activity 82(54.66%). The drug resistance klebsiella pneumoniae were as follows: ESBL producers 24(16.67%), AmpC producers were 22(14.67%), MDR 116(74.20%), extensive drug resistant (XDR) 30(20%), pan drug resistant (PDR) 42(28%), Carbapenem resistance 65.33% reported. The increasing coexistence of virulence factors & antimicrobial resistance pattern is of particular concern. Hence active surveillance for antimicrobial resistance & virulence determinants is imperative now to implement effective control measures to prevent the rapid spread of drug resistance.

Studying Several Virulence Factors Phenotypically and Genetically to Isolate Klebsiella Pneumonia from Diabetic Patients

“…1). Our findings contradict those of (Hullur et al, 2022), who found that the percentage of capsule generation by Klebsiella pneumonia was 100%. The capsule is a significant virulence factor that participates in at least two harmful pathways, including direct inhibition of the host immune response and phagocytosis resistance.…”

“…Our findings agreed with those of (Ramakrishnan et al,2019), who found that 44% of K. pneumonia was positive for protease. However, our findings disagreed with those of (Hullur et al,2022), who found that 90% of K. pneumonia was positive for protease production. Microbial proteases operate as virulence factors in many diseases caused by bacteria (protein breakdown).…”

Comparative Study of Biofilm and Non-Biofilm Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae with Special Reference to Metallo-Beta-Lactamase Production

“…In this study, 40% of isolates were biofilm producers. Similar findings are reported by Madhavi S. Hullur et al 21 stated that 54% K. pneumoniae isolates were identified as biofilm producers. In another study, Rakesh Prasad Sah et al 22 reported that 57.4% K. pneumoniae strains were biofilm producers.…”