Culture identification and antibiogram of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from a sputum sample

Abstract Gram-negative pathogens are an important cause of community and hospital-acquired infections throughout the world. Klebsiella pneumoniae has become one of the more common causes of these infections and one of the important aspects of Klebsiella associated infections. It is the emergence of multi-drug resistant strains particularly those involved in nosocomial diseases. This study was done to determine the isolation rate of Klebsiella, their antibiogram and for the presence of resistant strains from sputum samples. A total number of 16 sputum samples were included in the present study. Sixteen clinical isolates were collected from Mardan Medical Complex ,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Klebsiella were identified by standard microbiological techniques and antibiotic susceptibility testing was done by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method and interpreted as per CLSI guidelines. Through KBDD (Kirby Bauer Disk Diffusion Method), four verified K.pneumoniae isolates were subjected to further testing for antimicrobial drug sensitivity. It was discovered that roughly 50% of them were multidrug resistant. As per CLSI guidelines results of the present study revealed that confirmed K.pneumoniae isolates were resistant to Vancomycin 30(µg) , Amikacin 30(µg), Chloramphenicol 30(µg), Amoxicillin 30(µg) , Ticarcillin 75(µg) and were susceptible to Meropenem 10(µg),Piperacillin 100(µg) and Tazobactam 110(µg). These are capable of acting as an effective antibacterial agent in the treatment of serious bacterial infections caused by K. pneumoniae . The present study reveals the isolation of Klebsiella from sputum samples and their tendency towards antibiotic resistance. K. pneumonia was found to be most sensitive to Meropenem 10(µg), Piperacillin 100(µg) and Tazobactam 110(µg). The data of this study may be used to determine trends in antimicrobial susceptibilities to formulate local antibiotic policies and overall to assist clinicians in the rational choice of antibiotic therapy.