Molecular Determination of some Virulence Genes Associated with Klebsiella pneumoniae Clinical Isolates | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Medical Microbiology | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 01 July 2026 PDF (324.37 K) | ||
| Document Type: New and original researches in the field of Microbiology. | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejmm.2025.434288.1947 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Reyam A. Salih1; Waad M. Raoof2; Reyam F. Saleh* 3 | ||
| 1College of Dentistry, University of Tikrit, Tikrit, Iraq | ||
| 2Department of Medical Microbiology, Tikrit University, Tikrit, Iraq | ||
| 3Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Tiktit, Tiktit , Iraq | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: K. pneumoniae is an opportunistic emerging pathogen responsible for severe hospital-acquired as well as community-acquired infections, often with multidrug resistance and multiple virulence factors, posing a significant clinical challenge due to its ability to cause hard-to-treat infections. Aims: The objective of this study was to identify the phenotypic virulence factors, antibiotic resistance, and molecular identification of dominant virulence genes among K. pneumoniae isolates. Methodology: Twenty clinical isolates were screened. Phenotypic screening included capsule production, biofilm formation, proteinase, gelatinase, hemolysin, and hyaluronidase. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted to determine resistance profiles. Molecular detection targeted virulence genes such as mrkD, T1 fim, magA, and T1fim. Results: Capsule production was detected in 100% isolates, biofilm formation in 75%, proteinase in 80%, gelatinase in 55%, hemolysin in 10%, and hyaluronidase in 15%. Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed high resistance to penicillin (100%), ampicillin (95%), and cephalosporins, while carbapenems demonstrated high effectiveness (imipenem 85% sensitive, meropenem 90% sensitive). Molecular analysis revealed mrkD in 100%, T1 fim in 90%, magA in 65% of isolates, The coexistence of strong virulence determinants and multidrug resistance in K. pneumoniae highlights its elevated pathogenic potential. Conclusion: Molecular characterization of virulence genes provides essential insights for clinical management, therapeutic planning, and infection control strategies. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| K. pneumonia; virulence; gene; amplification | ||
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