Phenotypic and Genotypic Determination of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase and Virulence Genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae Recovered from Marketed Chevonin and around Anand city of Gujarat, India

Throughout the last two decades, the spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) especially ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains has been increasingly reported and has become a substantial public health risk. The study aimed to determine the ESBL and virulence genes and their prevalence in (n=85) Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates recovered from (n=150) marketed chevon samples. The Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were subjected to phenotypic ESBL detection and ESBL-associated genes (blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCTX-M, blaCTX-M__1, blaCTX-M__2, and blaCTX-M__9) and virulence genes (wabG and rmpA). Phenotypically, (n=49) 57.65% of isolates were ESBL producers, with the highest proportion in isolates from the intestine. Out of a total of 85 isolates, (n=49) 57.65% were found to be positive for blaTEMand (n=41) 48.23% for the blaSHV gene. The prevalence of blaCTX-M (29.41%), blaCTX-M__1(04.76%), blaCTX-M__2 (02.35%),and blaCTX-M__9 (05.88%) genes was found among isolates. Additionally, the virulence gene wabG was found in (n=51) 60% and rmpA in three (3.52%) isolates. Pathogenic Klebsiella pneumoniae harbors single to multiple virulence and ESBL-producing genes, asstatistically significant associations demonstrate between genetic ESBL determinants and phenotypic resistance markers, assisting the organism in more antibiotic resistance complexity and pathogenicity. These findings advocate for a multifaceted diagnostic approach to effectively manage infections caused by ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae pathogens and mitigate their clinical and public health impacts.