Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Klebsiella pneumoniae in the period 2013-2017

Abstract

Introduction. Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative nonmotile, encapsulated bacterium. It is a significant opportunistic pathogen, especially in hospital conditions, where most multidrug-resistant strains are present. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of hospital infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae and the incidence of antimicrobial resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, routinely isolated from patients at the Clinical of Infectious Diseases of the Clinical Center of Vojvodina, in the period from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2017. Material and Methods. A retrospective study included 1.647 patients with a diagnosis of infectious diseases of bacterial etiology treated at the Clinic of Infectious Diseases of the Clinical Center of Vojvodina. The analysis of primo-isolates from patient material (blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, wound/decubitus and throat cultures) was performed to examine the incidence of infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae and its antimicrobial resistance to antibiotics. Results. During the five-year study period, 93 primo-isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae were isolated from urine cultures 52/272 (19.1%), throat swabs 13/108 (12%), wound swabs 12/120 (10.0%), blood cultures 13/285 (4.6%) and one isolate from the liver 1/47 (2.1%). Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates showed the highest sensitivity to tigecycline and colistin (100%). During the study, Klebsiella pneumoniae showed resistance to carbapenem in up to 100%, depending on isolates and the year of study. Conclusion. Klebsiella pneumoniae is a common cause of nosocomial infections. It is sensitive only to tigecycline and colistin (100%), and its resistance to carbapenems and other antibiotics is a major health concern.