Molecular Detection of magA Gene and Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Uropathogenic Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from Patients Attending Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina, Nigeria

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae pose significant public health challenges due to increasing antimicrobial resistance and virulence determinants. This study aimed to molecularly confirm K. pneumoniae isolates, determine the occurrence of the magA virulence gene, and evaluate antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among patients attending Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 200 urine specimens from patients with suspected UTIs. K. pneumoniae was confirmed by PCR targeting the yhaI gene, and the magA virulence gene was detected. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method according to CLSI guidelines. Molecular confirmation identified 11 (5.5%) K. pneumoniae isolates. Only one isolate. (9.0 %) was positive for the magA virulence gene. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed complete susceptibility (100%) to amikacin, high susceptibility to ciprofloxacin (81.8%) and meropenem (81.8%), but significant resistance to cefotaxime (90.9%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (81.8%), and ampicillin (63.6%). Resistance was observed in 90.9% of isolates, with MAR indices ranging from 0.25 to 0.63. This study confirms the presence of Uropathogenic K. pneumoniae carrying the magA virulence gene with significant resistance patterns. The coexistence of virulence determinants and antimicrobial resistance underscores the need for routine molecular diagnostics, continuous surveillance, and strengthened antimicrobial stewardship programs to guide appropriate therapy and prevent the spread of resistant strains.