Abstract

Background:
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes several infections, particularly in hospitals and food-borne settings.

Aim:
This study aimed to investigate the presence of K. pneumoniae in human clinical samples and raw meat from local markets. It also focused on evaluating the antimicrobial resistance patterns, resistance genes, and virulence related markers.

Methods:
A total of 198 samples, including 96 from human burns and 102 from raw lamb meat, were analyzed. Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated and identified using cultural and biochemical tests, followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmation of the 16S rRNA gene. Antibiotic susceptibility was assessed using the disk diffusion method, and conventional PCR was used to detect nine resistance genes and six virulence genes. Genetic similarity among isolates was determined using Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus Polymerase Chain Reaction
(ERIC-PCR).

Results:
Of the total samples, 73 were positive for K. pneumoniae, including 37 human isolates and 36 meat isolates. All isolates exhibited high resistance to ampicillin (100%), cefotaxime (94.52%), and erythromycin (89.04%). Common resistance genes included blaTEM (91.78%), sul1 (72.60%), and tetA (57.53%). Virulence genes, such as fimH and use, were also found to be widespread. ERIC-PCR revealed several clusters that contained both human and meat isolates, indicating genetic similarity.

Conclusion:
These findings confirm the circulation of multidrug-resistant and virulent K. pneumoniae strains across food and human sources. The genetic overlap between sources suggests that food is a potential transmission route. Continuous surveillance and responsible antibiotic use are essential for minimizing public health risks and improving health procedures.

Key words: Beta-lactamase, Capsular, Efflux, Enterobacteriaceae, Nosocomial, Plasmid.