Detection of Biofilm and Siderophore Encoding Genes Implicated in the Pathogenesis of Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from Different Clinical Specimens

Abstract

Background: Biofilm and siderophores protect K. pneumoniae, making them resistant to antimicrobials and increase the ability to evade immune system. Objective: The aim of the present study was to detect some of the virulence genes responsible for biofilm formation and siderophore production implicated in the pathogenesis of K. pneumoniae. Methodology: Crystal violet method was used to detect biofilm phenotypically, hypermucoviscosity by string test and virulence genes were detected by PCR. Results: Phenotypically, biofilm formation was positive in 76% and negative in 24%. Genotypically, FimH and ycfm were detected in 100% of isolates while mrkD in 98%. Kfu, entB and iutA were found in 100%, 68% and 34% respectively. Phenotypically by string test 66% of isolates were classified as hypermucoviscous, while 34% as classical. rmpA gene was detected in 52% of isolates. Conclusion: FimH, mrkD, ycfm, Kfu and iutA genes are implicated in multisystemic infection of K. pneumoniae. Enterobactin gene is more predominant than other siderophore genes.

Phenotypic Characterization of Virulence Factors and Antibiogram of Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates from Various Clinical Samples – A Cross Sectional Study

“…The Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates producing siderophore was 73.33% is our study results, (Siderophore production is more from endotracheal & pus samples in our study). This is in contrast to other studies which reported 100% in -Aljanaby et al 31,34 It has been shown that the development of invasive forms of the disease is associated with the production of several siderophores by K. pneumoniae strains. Hv-KP strains produce more siderophore molecules and in their more active form, than c-KP.…”