Molecular Study of Klebsiella Oxytoca Associated with Urinary Tract Infection in Children

Abstract

Background:There are scarce reports about the association ofKlebsiella oxytoca(K. oxytoca) with urinary tract infection (UTI) in children. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence offimA, mrkA, matBandpilQadhesins genes and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) genesblaCTX-M, blaTEMandblaSHVby polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and to study biofilm formation and antibiotics resistance inK. oxytocafrom children with UTI.Methods:This study was a retrospective cross-sectional study that included 120 children with UTI due toK. oxytoca. The bacteria were subjected to molecular detection offimA, mrkA, matBandpilQadhesins genes and ESBL genesblaCTX-M, blaTEMandblaSHVby PCR. Biofilm capacity was determined by the microtiter plate method.Results:The isolatedK. oxytocahad positive ESBL activity in 45.8% of isolates. About 40% of isolates were biofilm producers. The frequency of adhesion genes amongK. oxytocawas 91.7%, 83.3%, 48.3% and 37.5% formatB, pilQ, fimAandmrkAgenes, respectively. For ESBL genes, the frequency was 38.3%, 36.7% and 33.3% forblaCTX-M, blaSHVandblaTEMgenes, respectively. The commonest genes among ESBL isolates wereblaCTX-M(83.6%),blaSHV(80%) thenblaTEMgene (72.7%). A significant association (p=0.048) was detected between ESBL activity and biofilm formation byK. oxytoca.Conclusion:Present study highlights the emergence ofK. oxytocaas a pathogen associated with UTI in children. There was a high prevalence of adhesin genes and ESBL genes among these isolates. The capacity ofK. oxytocato form biofilm was associated with ESBL production.