Molecular detection of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes among clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae during Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes confer low resistance to Fluoroquinolones (FQs). This study aims to detect five PMQR genes among FQs-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from various clinical specimens. Out of 120 K. pneumoniae isolates, 68 FQs-resistance K. pneumoniae were included in a molecular study. Standard microbiological tests were used for identification and antimicrobial susceptibility. For the detection of PMQR genes, conventional polymerase chain reaction was used. A molecular study revealed that (73.5%) of samples harbored PMQR genes, and among them, 58% were co-carriages of PMQR gene variants. Aac (6’)-Ib-cr gene was predominant (47.1%) among samples, and qepA had the lowest percentage (11.8%), qnr genes were (32.4%) (29.4%) (20.6%) qnrS, qnrB, and qnrA respectively. Overall, high percentages of PMQR genes were detected, and almost all of samples were phenotypically resistant to ciprofloxacin. As well, there was a significant statistical relationship between phenotypically ESBL-producers and qnrB and qepA genes.