Molecular Identification of Several Genes in Isolates from Vaginal Secretions Linked to Biofilm Formation and Antibiotic Resistance

Shatha K.  Hashm; Gulbahar F.  Karim; Media Mohammed  Bakr

Shatha K. Hashm Department of Biology, College of Education for Pure Science, University of Kirkuk, Iraq
Gulbahar F. Karim Department of Basic Science College of Nursing, University of Kirkuk, Iraq
Media Mohammed Bakr Department of Biology, College of Education for Pure Science, University of Kirkuk, Iraq

Keywords: Multidrug Resistant Klebsiella pneumonia, Bacterial vaginitis, Biofilm formation, blaSHV, blaTEM, fimH, mrkD genes

Abstract

Bacterial vaginitis, which affects millions of women worldwide, is linked to numerous major health issues, and cause by numerous aerobic and facultative bacteria including, Klebsiella pneumonia (K. pneumoniae) which become one of the major pathogenic bacteria, it responsible for both nosocomial and community-acquired infections because of its high virulence factors and widespread antibiotic resistance. This study looked at the frequency of K. pneumoniae in vaginal discharge from patients with vaginitis. It also looked at the molecular relationships between the isolates under investigation and the genes involved in biofilm formation (^fimH and ^mrkD) and multidrug resistance (^blaSHV and ^blaTEM) genes. From 1^st November 2023 to 30^th June 2024, 390 women of reproductive age who visited the gynecology department of Kirkuk General Hospital in northern Iraq for medical attention participated in the study. The data was gathered using a structured questionnaire. After vaginal swabs were collected, they underwent routine microbiological procedures such as culture, Gram stain, biochemical testing, and Vitek-2 Compact System for confirmation purpose. The susceptibility profiles of the K. pneumoniae isolates were examined by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique. Descriptive statistical analyses were also done. Out of 390 vaginal swab samples, 51.79% of samples give positive microbial growth including 5.38% K. pneumoniae isolates. Biofilm formation detected among 57.1% of the selected isolates. Regarding Antibiotic susceptibility, all isolates were 100% resistant to Amoxicillin, and Ampicillin. Followed by (85.7%, 81%,76.2%, 71.4%, 66.7%, 61.9%, and 47.6%) resistant to Ciprofloxacin, Cefotaxim, Cefixim, ceftriaxone, Levofloxacin, Azithromycin, Cefepime respectively. There is Low resistant rate (33.3%, and 28.6%) observed against Gentamycin and Amikacin. However, all isolates (100%) were susceptible to imipenem. PCR product reveals high level (100%, and 85.72%) of ^fimH, and ^mrkD genes respectively. Whereas (66.14%, and 52.8%) of isolates harbor ^blaSHV, ^blaTEM genes respectively, which explain the occurrence of multidrug resistant K. pneumoniae strains among patients with vaginitis. This makes it necessary to implement infection control, good hygiene, and stewardship programs, in order to reduce the prevalence of multidrug resistant strains in healthcare and the community setting.

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