Study of antimicrobial resistance and carbapenemase production in Klebsiella spp. associated with urinary tract infections in the community

• Grant number: 24/03705-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Biology and Physiology of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: André Pitondo da Silva
• Grantee: Aline Clara Gomes Cruvinel
• Host Institution: Universidade de Ribeirão Preto (UNAERP). Campus Ribeirão Preto. Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Klebsiella is a bacterial genus belonging to the order Enterobacterales and the family Enterobacteriaceae. The Klebsiella pneumoniae complex includes seven species: K. pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae, K. quasipneumoniae subsp. quasipneumoniae, K. quasipneumoniae subsp. similipneumoniae, K. quasivariicola, K. africana, K. variicola subsp. tropica, and K. variicola subsp. variicola. K. pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae is the most frequent clinical subspecies. Although urinary tract infections (UTIs) are predominantly caused by Escherichia coli, several studies have shown an increase in multidrug-resistant Klebsiella spp. strains within the community. Among the resistance mechanisms in K. pneumoniae, ¿-lactamases stand out. These are enzymes that hydrolyze the ¿-lactam ring of ¿-lactam antibiotics, including carbapenemases. The production of these enzymes results in resistance to carbapenem antibiotics, significantly limiting therapeutic options. Understanding the epidemiology, risk factors, treatment, and prevention of Klebsiella spp. carbapenemase-producing infections in community patients is crucial for public health. In this context, this study aims to assess the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Klebsiella spp. isolated from urine cultures of community patients from a city in the interior of São Paulo, as well as investigate carbapenemase production and differentiate the species into K. pneumoniae, K. variicola, and K. quasipneumoniae. A total of 84 Klebsiella spp. isolated from community patients' urine cultures will be evaluated. The bacterial isolates were initially identified by conventional biochemical methods, and their identification will be confirmed by MALDI-TOF-MS. Thirty-nine recommended antimicrobials will be tested to determine antimicrobial susceptibility. The phenotypic production of carbapenemases and the main genes encoding these enzymes will also be investigated in the collection. The multiplex-PCR technique will be used to differentiate the three main species of the K. pneumoniae complex. The execution of this study is expected to contribute to the understanding of potentially carbapenemase-producing multidrug-resistant Klebsiella spp. as causative agents of UTIs in community patients.