Antibiotic Resistance Profile in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca Isolated from Urine in the Republic of Congo

The emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance means an increased risk of therapeutic failure. They lead to longer hospital stays, higher treatment costs and increased morbidity and mortality, compromising the fight against infectious diseases. A total of 2,876 urine samples were collected and analyzed using conventional microbiology techniques. Bacteria were identified on the basis of biochemical characteristics. Sensitivity testing was carried out using the standard Mueller-Hinton agar diffusion method. It should be noted that 1484 (51.6%) samples were positive out of 2876 after culture. After identification, 256 (17.25%) bacteria were from the Klebsiella genus, compared with 1228 from other genera. The 256 Klebsiella strains were made up of 104 (40.62%) K. pneumoniae and 152 (59.38%) Klebsiella oxytoca, mostly isolated from urine collected from women. Both species were more responsive in patients over 40 years of age. The sensitivity test showed that K. pneumoniae were more sensitive to norfloxacin, gentamicin and netilmicin, with rates of 18.26%, 21.11% and 22.15%, versus 91.34% for cotrimoxazole and amoxicillin + clavulanic acid. Other rates were also observed: Ceftriaxone (38.46%), Ciprofloxacin (48.07%), Ofloxacin (49.03%), Cefotaxim (64.42%), Nalidixic Acid (74.03%) and Chloramphenicol (77.88%). In K.oxytoca, netilmicin and norfloxacin were more active, with rates of 10.52% and 22.36% respectively. High rates of resistance in K.oxytoca were observed with cotrimoxazole (78.94%) and amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (78.98%). Some antibiotics showed rates such as 42.76% for Cefotaxime, 52.63% for Ceftriaxone, 36.18% for Gentamicin 33.55% for Ciprofloxacin, 59.86% for Nalidixic acid, 46.05% for Ofloxacin and 67.10% for Chloramphenicol. Quinolones were more active, with rates of 21.63% in K. pneumoniae and 23.35% in K.oxytoca. Over half of Klebsiella strains also showed resistance to at least two antibiotics. This increase and spread of resistance could be due to unjustified antibiotic use, antibiotic selection pressure and genetic exchange. The above-mentioned antibiotics can be used as first-line treatment for Klebsiella infections.