Frequency and Susceptibility Pattern of K. Pneumoniae Recovered from Human Clinical Specimens in Lahore Population

Abstract: Klebsiella pneumoniae is gram negative, capsulated and non-motile organism, associated with different infections causing disease in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised hosts with a vast range including urinary, respiratory and gastro intestinal tracts. Objective: To investigate the frequency and prevalence of Klebsiella pneumoniae recovered from different human clinical specimens and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern in population of Lahore. Methods: A total of 150 clinical samples were studied for the isolation of K. pneumoniae. Out of 150, 30 samples from urine, 30 from pus, 30 from sputum, 30 from bronchial wash and 30 from pleural aspirates. The identication of K. pneumoniae was done by different biochemical tests i.e urease, indole, citrate etc. Extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL) screening was done by double disc diffusion method by placing cephalosporin/clavulanate combination discs. Results: Out of 150 samples 29 were isolated as K. pneumoniae. K. pneumoniae isolates were mostly carbapenem sensitive i.e imipenam (86.20%) and meropenam (86.20%). The most resistant drugs were ampicillin and cefuroxime 100% followed by cefotxime93.10%. A high prevalence of ESBL producing bacteria 37.9% exists among in-patients in Lahore. Conclusions: Emerging antimicrobial resistance is currently the main concern of the medical community, because such resistant bacteria are becoming more difcult to treat. Keywords: Bacteria, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL), Resistant, Sensitive, Antibiotics.