Prevalence Of Carbapenemase Genes in Klebsiella Pneumoniae Isolated from Urine Samples in Iraq

Abstract

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a leading uropathogen and has become an increasing global threat with the rise of carbapenem-resistant strains. The spread of MBL genes, such as bla_VIM and bla_NDM, also considerably supports multidrug resistance and failure of treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency distribution of bla_VIM and bla_NDM genes for K. pneumoniae strains isolated from urine specimens and their association with resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Methods: 80 K. pneumoniae isolates were recovered from urine specimens of patients referred to Al-Sadr Medical City, Iraq during April 2024 –March 2025. Susceptibility patterns to antibiotics (imipenem, meropenem, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin and gentamicin) were also tested by the disc diffusion method. The molecular detection of bla_VIM and bla_NDM genes was done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Associations of gene presence with antibiotic susceptibility profiles were statistically analyzed. Results: There was a higher resistance rate to ceftriaxone (77.5%), ciprofloxacin (67.5%) imipenem and meropenem (57.5 %; 61.2% respectively) whereas gentamicin showed low resistance (38.7%). The bla_NDM and bla_VIM genes were found in 58.7% and 37.5% of isolates, respectively. The existence of either gene was found to be associated with the resistance to imipenem, meropenem, ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The high occurrence of bla_VIM and bla_NDM in urinary K. pneumoniae isolates indicates the increasing menace of carbapenem resistance in Iraq. The high correlation between gene carriage and MDR emphasizes the necessity for ongoing molecular surveillance and stringent antimicrobial stewardship to limit dissemination of these resistant pathogens.

Keywords:

blaVIM and blaNDM, Klebsiella pneumoniae, UTIs, CRKP

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