UNCOVERING ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE: CAN KLEBSIELLA PNEUMONIAE OUTSMART OUR DRUGS?

Introduction: Klebsiella pneumoniae exhibits resistance to approximately 90% of known antibiotics primarily due to horizontal gene transfer, particularly via plasmids encoding ESBLs and carbapenemases. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial resistance patterns of K. pneumoniae isolates from clinical samples. Methods: K. pneumoniae isolates were obtained from clinical samples at Ram Krishna Care Hospital, Raipur, and sub-cultured on Klebsiella selective agar medium. Bacterial growth curve was assessed, identified optimal duration of log phase. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, employing 12 antibiotics, including ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, amikacin, and various cephalosporins. Resistance patterns were analyzed isolate, KpO276, KpB339, KpO07, KpO10, KpP02, KpO214,KpO215, KpO216 andKpO221. Results: Exponential phase was started from 2-3hours. Among the isolates, KpO276, KpB339, KpO214, and KpO221 showed the highest levels of resistance, displaying non-susceptibility to a wide range of antibiotics, including major classes such as fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, and cephalosporins. In contrast, KpP02 exhibited least resistance, remaining sensitive to all tested antibiotics except cefadroxil. Conclusions: The study highlights significant multidrug resistance among K. pneumoniae isolates, underscoring the growing challenge in effective clinical management. Strengthening antibiotic stewardship and developing targeted treatment strategies,are essential to combat escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance.