Virulence Factors of Multidrug Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: A Comparative Genomic and Phenotypic Analysis

Rana Jalal  Shaker; Asmaa Ahmed Hatem  Sultan

doi:10.17605/cajmns.v6i2.2732

Rana Jalal Shaker Assistant Professor Dr. Rana Jalal Shaker Collage of Education for pure Science. Biology Department. University, of Tikrit, Iraq
Asmaa Ahmed Hatem Sultan Assistant Professor Dr. Asmaa Ahmed Hatem Sultan., Middle Technical University, Technical Medical Institute, Baghdad, Iraq

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/cajmns.v6i2.2732

Keywords: Klebsiella Variicola, K. Pneumoniae, Virulence, Biofilm, Multidrug Resistance

Abstract

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae has emerged as a major global health concern due to its high virulence and resistance to antimicrobial treatment. Understanding the genomic and phenotypic characteristics of MDR K. pneumoniae and Klebsiella variicola is crucial for developing effective treatment strategies. While previous studies have focused on antibiotic resistance, comprehensive genomic and phenotypic analyses of MDR Klebsiella strains remain limited. This study aimed to investigate the molecular, genomic, and phenotypic characteristics of MDR Klebsiella isolates, focusing on serotype distribution, biofilm formation, and virulence potential. Whole-genome sequencing identified a high prevalence of O1/O2 serotypes (67%) and diverse K locus serotypes, with ST15-KL19 being the most frequent. The ST280-KL23 strain exhibited superior biofilm formation, while the KL105-O1/O2v2 serotype demonstrated the highest virulence in the Galleria mellonella model. Genomic analysis revealed the presence of key resistance genes, including blaKPC3 and blaOXA-48, contributing to antimicrobial resistance. This study highlights the association between specific serotypes, virulence factors, and resistance genes, emphasizing the role of hypermucoviscosity and biofilm formation in Klebsiella pathogenicity. These findings underscore the necessity of continuous molecular surveillance to track emerging MDR strains and inform alternative therapeutic strategies to mitigate public health risks.

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