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Phenotypic and molecular characterization of nosocomial K. pneumoniae isolates by ribotyping

Shamweel Ahmad1, Ashraf Abulhamd1

  • 1Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Salman Bin AbdulAziz University, Saudi Arabia.

Advances in Medical Sciences
|December 16, 2014
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study characterized Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates using phenotypic and genotypic methods. Ribotyping proved effective in tracing a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) outbreak to a single clone, highlighting its utility in molecular epidemiology.

Area of Science:

  • Clinical microbiology
  • Molecular epidemiology
  • Infectious diseases

Background:

  • Klebsiella pneumoniae is a significant cause of nosocomial infections.
  • Understanding the molecular epidemiology of K. pneumoniae is crucial for controlling outbreaks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae using phenotypic and genotypic methods.
  • To investigate a suspected outbreak in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Main Methods:

  • Phenotypic characterization of 52 K. pneumoniae isolates.
  • Genotypic characterization including ESBL-gene detection and ribotyping.
  • Analysis of isolates from sporadic cases and a suspected NICU outbreak.

Main Results:

  • K. pneumoniae prevalence was 4% (52/1295).
  • 8 (15.4%) isolates were ESBL-producers, with (bla)SHV and (bla)CTX-M genes detected.
  • Ribotyping identified 30 ribogroups; NICU outbreak isolates belonged to 2 ribotypes, indicating a single-clone origin.

Conclusions:

  • Ribotyping is a valuable tool for molecular epidemiology of K. pneumoniae nosocomial infections due to its discriminatory power and reproducibility.
  • Regular surveillance of antibiotic sensitivity, ESBL-production, and molecular characterization is essential for controlling multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae and for epidemiological purposes, especially during outbreaks.
Keywords:
(bla)(CTX-M)(bla)(SHV)ESBL ProductionK. pneumoniaeMultidrug resistanceMultiplex PCRRibotyping

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