Cefoxitin Resistance Mediated by Loss of a Porin in Clinical Strains of Klebsiella Pneumoniae and Escherichia Coli

Purpose: Porins are outer membrane protein (OMP) that form water filled channels that permit the diffusion of small hydrophilic solutes like β-lactam antibiotics across the outer membrane. Two major porins that facilitate diffusion of antimicrobials have been described in Klebsiella spp. and Escherichia coli. The present study was carried out to examine the role of porins among Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL) and AmpC β-Lactamase positive strains of Klebsiella spp. and E.coli. Methods: Preparation of OMP from phenotypically characterized clinical isolates K.pneumoniae and E.coli and the separation of the proteins by sodium dodecyl sulfate – polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were performed as per a previously described procedure. Results: OMP analysis revealed that cefoxitin and ceftazidime resistance was mediated by loss of a porin Omp K35 in the isolates of K.pneumoniae and E.coli. Conclusions: Loss of porin mediated resistance mechanism against cefoxitin was observed among the multidrug resistant K.pneumoniae and E.coli.