Antimicrobial susceptibility and biofilm formation of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains

Abstract

Introduction. The antimicrobial resistance of Klebsiella spp. strains poses a challenge for the management of the infections they might induce. K. pneumoniae is responsible for both community-acquired and healthcare-associated infections.Purpose. This study was aimed to determine antimicrobial susceptibility, as well as the ability to produce biofilm, characteristic of K. pneumoniae strains isolated from trophic ulcers. Material and methods. Eighty-four strains of K. pneumoniae were isolated from trophic ulcers and identified via morphological, cultural and biochemical assessment. The antimicrobial susceptibility and biofilm-forming ability testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique and the quantitative adhesion test, respectively. Results. Strains of K. pneumoniae isolated from trophic ulcers showed a marked resistance to antimicrobial preparations. The multidrug-resistant strains made up 42.8%. Moreover, 73 (86.9%) isolates exhibited biofilm-forming ability. Biofilmproducing strains were more resistant to the tested antibiotics compared to non-producing strains.Conclusions. Most strains of K. pneumoniae isolated from trophic ulcers showed a marked antimicrobial resistance and a high biofilm-forming capacity.