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December 17, 2025
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December 17, 2025
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December 14, 2025
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Abstract

One of the most significant opportunistic Gram-negative bacteria that frequently
linked to catheter associated and urinary tract infection is Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Their ability to produce biofilms and antibiotic resistance are the two main factors
that contribute to the persistent infections. The dissemination of carbapenems and
fluoroquinolones resistance offers a significant confrontation to the treatment of
life-threatening infections produced by K. pneumoniae. The study aimed to
investigation the prevalence of the carbapenems and fluoroquinolones resistance
genes (blaOXA-48, and qnrS) in K. pneumoniae. From December 2023 until July
2024, a total of 200 samples were collected in this study including urine (n=100,
50%), and semen (n=100, 50%) from admitted patients to Fertility Center and
outpatient from Private Labs in Al-Najaf, Al-Diwaniyah and Karbala
governorates. Semen culture and urine culture were done for all the patients.
Using Vitek2 compact system to identification and susceptibility to antibiotic
profiling of K. pneumoniae. PCR experiment were performed on the isolates with
specific primers to blaOXA-48, and qnrS. The results showed the recovery rate of K.
pneumoniae isolates was (n= 17, 8.5%) from the clinical samples, divided as
follow 13 isolates from urine and four isolates from semen, The prevalence of
carbapenem resistance gene among K. pneumoniae isolates was to blaOXA-48 gene
(64.7%), While fluroquinolones resistance gene qnrS was (94%). The study
concluded increased carbapenem and fluoroquinolone resistance gene in Al
Najaf, Al-Diwaniyah and Karbala governorates highlights the importance of this
problem while managing life-threatening multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae
infections.

Keywords

Carbapenem Resistance fluoroquinolone resistance MDR K. pneumoniae genitourinary tract infections

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Copyright (c) 2025 Rasha Mohsen AL-Hussaini, Ibtisam Habeeb Al-Azawi

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