Antibiotic Resistance, Molecular Characteristics and Risk Factors of Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in Clinical Isolates

Background: The global epidemic of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumonia (CRKP) has become a significant public health challenge. This study aimed to investigate the antibiotic resistance and molecular characteristics of CRKP and the clinical character-istics of infected patients.Methods: Sixty-two clinically isolated CRKP strains were collected for the first time from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University in Zhejiang Province. The carbapenemase gene, virulence-associated gene, capsular serotype gene and fenestra protein gene were detected by PCR. Univariate logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to predict the risk factors for the prognosis of CRKP infection.Results: All CRKP isolates were resistant to meropenem, piperacillin-tazobactam, and ceftazidime (100%, 62/62), and all but one CRKP isolate was resistant to imipenem and cefepime (96.8%, 61/62). The rate of colistin resistance was the lowest (11.9%, 8/62). For CRKP in the ICU, the rates of resistance to various antibiotics were significantly higher than those in general ward patients. Fifty strains carried the carbapenemase gene blaKPC, and 3 strains carried both the blaKPC and blaNDM genes. The virulence genes uge, wabG, ycf, entB, ureA and fimH were detected in more than 90% of the 62 CRKP strains. Two strains had Ompk35, Ompk36 and Hcp gene deletions. The blaKPC, rmpA and rmpA2 genes had the highest positive rate in blood samples, and blaNDM had the highest positive rate in stool samples. Multivariate analysis showed that pulmonary disease affected the prognosis of CRKP infection. Conclusion: The prevalence and molecular characteristics of CRKP clinical isolates in Zhengjiang Province in China were described, and the antibiotic resistance rate was higher. Additionally, relevant genes of CRKP strains and clinical characteristics of patients are related to the progression and prognosis of CRKP infection.

Automated summary

This study investigated the antibiotic resistance and molecular characteristics of CRKP strains isolated in Zhejiang Province, China, revealing that CRKP isolates in ICU showed significantly higher resistance rates than those in general ward patients, 50 strains carried the blaKPC gene, and pulmonary disease may affect the prognosis of CRKP infection.