Pathogenic Leap:
Molecular Profiling of Emerging Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae in Diabetics
Karthik A., Vinodhini V.M. and Leela K.V.
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(4); 67-75;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/204rjbt067075; (2025)
Abstract
The rise of multidrug-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (MDR-hvKp) strains
has become a significant concern in healthcare settings globally. This study seeks
to understand the current picture of MDR-hvKp infections in diabetic patients, shedding
light on the challenges posed by these pathogens and emphasizing the critical need
for coordinated efforts in surveillance, prevention and treatment to limit their
influence on public health. 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 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 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 resistant to drugs.
