Research Information System
Molecular Biology Reports, vol.52, no.1, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae species cause life-threatening infections due to carbapenem resistance genes and various virulence factors, especially biofilm formation. Association between biofilm capacity and carbapenemase encoding genes in ninety-two Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from Eskişehir Yunus Emre State Hospital, Turkey were investigated in the present study. Methods and results: Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect carbapenemase encoding genes (blaOXA-48, blaIMP, blaKPC, blaNDM), virulence factor encoding genes (iutA, iucC, cnf-1, iroN, hlyA), and biofilm-associated (luxS, mrkA, wzm, wbbM) genes. Phenotypic characterization of biofilm formation was quantified with spectrophotometric microplate method. The most prevalent carbapenemase genes were blaOXA-48 (56.5%) and blaIMP (44.6%). Biofilm production was observed in 80.4% of isolates, with 92.5% of strong biofilm producers carrying the mrkA gene. The most frequently detected biofilm-related gene was luxS (79.3%). Significant associations were found between blaKPC and biofilm formation. A strong correlation was also observed between mrkA and blaOXA-48, blaIMP, and blaKPC. Additionally, statistically significant relationships were determined between iutA and the presence of blaOXA-48 and blaIMP. Conclusion: The coexistence of carbapenemase genes, biofilm-forming ability and different virulence factors in K. pneumoniae isolates poses a significant clinical threat. Enhanced surveillance and molecular monitoring considering coexistence of various virulence factors are crucial for combating with multidrug-resistant strains.