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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Microbiol.
Sec. Antimicrobials, Resistance and Chemotherapy
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1498779
This article is part of the Research Topic Emerging Antimicrobials: Sources, Mechanisms of Action, Spectrum of Activity, Combination Antimicrobial Therapy, and Resistance Mechanisms View all articles

The Impact of Antibiotic Induction on Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae: A Comparative Study of CSKP and CRKP Strains

Provisionally accepted
Chen Keda Chen Keda *Chen Wei Chen Wei *Zhang qian Zhang qian *Li qingcao Li qingcao *
  • Ningbo Medical Centre Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogen causing nosocomial infections, classified into carbapenem-sensitive and carbapenem-resistant strains. Understanding the virulence factors and antibiotic resistance of these strains is essential for effective clinical management.Objective: This study compared the virulence genes and antibiotic resistance profiles of 50 CSKP and 50 CRKP strains, examining their expression under antibiotic pressure and the mechanisms contributing to their pathogenicity.Methods: Virulence genes (rmpA, rmpA2, iucA, iutA, ybts, iroB) were detected in both strains using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antibiotic susceptibility testing established minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for key antibiotics. Gene expression analysis was performed with quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) after 10 days of antibiotic exposure.Results: CSKP strains exhibited significantly higher positivity rates for virulence genes compared to CRKP strains. CRKP strains predominantly expressed resistance genes KPC, SHV, and CTX-M3, whereas no resistance genes were found in CSKP. Antibiotic susceptibility tests showed increased MICs, particularly for ciprofloxacin and imipenem, following antibiotic induction. CSKP demonstrated elevated expression of rmpA and rmpA2, while CRKP showed increased expression of iutA, SHV, and KPC after antibiotic exposure.This study highlights the intricate relationship between virulence and resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae. CSKP strains show strong virulence factor expression, while CRKP strains adapt to antibiotic pressure through altered gene expression patterns. These findings underscore the urgent need for continuous surveillance and innovative therapeutic strategies to combat multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infections.

    Keywords: Klebsiella pneumoniae, carbapenem-sensitive, Carbapenem-resistant, Virulence gene, resistance gene

    Received: 19 Sep 2024; Accepted: 03 Oct 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Keda, Wei, qian and qingcao. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    Chen Keda, Ningbo Medical Centre Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, China
    Chen Wei, Ningbo Medical Centre Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, China
    Zhang qian, Ningbo Medical Centre Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, China
    Li qingcao, Ningbo Medical Centre Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.