Molecular Detection of Blatem, Blashv, and Blactx-M Genes among Esbl-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates from Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a major cause of hospital- and community-acquired infections worldwide. It produces extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), which are associated with multidrug resistance and limit therapeutic options for treating infections, thereby posing a serious global threat. Aim: This study aimed to detect the blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaCTX-M genes associated with multidrug and beta-lactam resistance in K. pneumoniae isolates from clinical specimens obtained at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Plateau State, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 39 confirmed K. pneumoniae isolates were obtained from 344 clinical samples. The antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the isolates were determined using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, and the phenotypic production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) was assessed using the Modified Double-Disc Synergy Test (MDDST). The three resistance genes were detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Thirty-two (82.1%) of the K. pneumoniae isolates were ESBL producers and were multidrug-resistant. The isolates showed high resistance to cefotaxime (76.9%), ceftazidime (69.2%), and cefepime (66.7%), but low resistance to imipenem and meropenem (7.7% and 5.1%, respectively). Twenty-four (85.7%) isolates were blaTEM-positive, and 10 (35.7%) were blaSHV-positive; the amplicon sizes were 972 bp and 868 bp, respectively. None of the isolates carried blaCTX-M. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that imipenem, meropenem, and ertapenem had the greatest activity against the K. pneumoniae isolates. The beta-lactamase-encoding resistance genes blaTEM and blaSHV were detected in the K. pneumoniae isolates. Antibiotic-use policies and regular surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns may help reduce indiscriminate antibiotic use, which contributes to the emergence of drug resistance among pathogens.