Frequency of Pathogenic Genes fimH ،irp۲ ، rmpA، allS and wcaG of Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates by Multiplex-PCR Method

Background and Aims: Klebsiella pneumoniae that causes bloodstream and urinary tract infections has several virulence factors encoding genes. Factors like the ability of adherence to the host cell surface, presence of sidrophore receptors and regulation of mucoid phenotype are the common virulence ones involved in the pathogenesis of K. pneumoniae. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of virulence factor encoding genes in K. pneumoniae isolates, collected from hospitalized patients by Multiplex PCR. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, the frequency of genes encoding virulence factor irp۲, wcaG, rmpA, rmpA، allS and fimH were evaluated in ۱۰۰ K. pneumoniae isolates, collected from patients referred to teaching hospitals of Zahedan city by Multiplex PCR. Results: Among ۱۰۰ clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae, allS gene had the highest frequency, ۹۰%, and rmpA had the lowest frequency, ۶%. The frequency of genes fimH, irp۲, wcaG and rmpA were ۸۸%, ۸۷%, ۳۳% and ۶% respectively. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the allS, irp۲ and fimH genes were more frequent among K. pneumoniae isolated from studied patients in Zahedan city. These findings provide important information on the importance of these virulence factors on pathology of urogenital tract infection, management of Klebsiella infection and success of treatment strategies.