Molecular Detection of Some Virulence Factors Genes among Gentamicin-Resistant Klebsiella Pneumoniae Isolates

Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) is an important gram-negative pathogen, frequently associated with nosocomially acquired infections that range from mild urinary tract infection to severe bacteremia. So, this study aimed to investigate serotype genes (K1/K2), biofilm gene (pml) and efflux pump gene (ACrAB) among gentamicin-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates. The results showed that out of 481 specimens, 270 (56.13%) showed bacterial growth versus 211 (43.87%) showed no bacterial growth, the ratio between female and male was as follows, 299(62.1%) female and 182(37.9%) male. According Vitek-2 system recorded 94 isolates as K. pneumoniae. Data demonstrated that 42(44.68%) K. pneumoniae isolates were resistant to gentamicin compared with 24(25.53%) and 28(29.78%) of isolates were intermediate and sensitive to this antibiotic respectively. Results of antibiotic susceptibility showed that the highest bacterial resistance was ceftazidime 42(100%), while meropenem 11(26.3%) had the least resistance. PCR amplification results showed that K1 and K2 genes were 5(11.9%) and 35(88.0%) respectively. While ACrAB efflux pump gene showed that of all isolates have this gene 42(100%). Also, PCR results showed that 36 (85.7%) of the isolates had Pml genes.