Klebsiella infections in a pediatric intensive care unit: incidence, antimicrobial susceptibility, and resistance genes

Background Infections with multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae is associated with high morbidity and mortality especially among critically ill patients. This was the main principle to conduct a detailed study about this organism, its resistance pattern, and type of its resistance genes Subjects and methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in a pediatric intensive care unit on patients with age range from 1 month to 12 years over a period of 1 year with positive K. pneumoniae using standard microbiological culture and antibiogram sensitivity testing. All collected samples were processed using multiplex PCR technique to identify the most relevant resistant genes. Results Forty-four patients had 54 positive cultures for K. pneumoniae , out of which 17 patients (38.6%) passed away. The most prevalent-resistant gene was New Delhi metallo-beta lactamase (NDM) gene (65.4%) followed by cefotaximase (CTX-M) gene (57.7%). Extensively drug-resistant K. pneumoniae was detected in (15.9%) of the results and was proved to be independent risk factor increasing mortality odds 139 folds. Conclusion The evolution of resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae was proved to be associated with a high mortality rate. Continuous widespread surveillance of Klebsiella pathogen focusing on identification of resistance genes and antibiotic resistance pattern is highly recommended.