Detection of VIM-1 and IMP-1 genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae and relationship with biofilm formation

Abstract Klebsiella pneumoniae is an important human pathogen that is considered in recent years due to nosocomial infections resistant to treatment as well as the ability to form biofilms particularly in patients with urinary tract infection in ICU or hospital. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of VIM1, IMP1 genes and their ability to form biofilm in K. pneumoniae strains isolated from patients with urinary tract infection. In the study, using culture and biochemical methods, 1807 K. pneumoniae samples were isolated from patients with urinary tract infection hospitalized or referred to hospitals in Qom in 2013–2014. For isolation of MBL producing isolates, Double Disk Synergy Test (DDST) was used. Then MBL positive isolates were examined for the presence of VIM1, IMP1 genes using PCR method. Furthermore, all strains were investigated for biofilm formation by phenotypic microplate method. From 3165 urine samples cultured, 1807 isolates of K. pneumoniae were isolated and 109 strains (93.2%) were positive for MBL enzymes production. PCR results showed that the prevalence of VIM1 and IMP1 genes are 15.6 and 6.4%, respectively. The Phenotypic method indicated that 91.2% of isolates formed biofilm. Biofilm formation in K. pneumoniae isolates is high and there is a significant relationship between strong biofilm formation and prevalence of VIM1 and IMP1 genes. Also due to the presence of MBL genes in K. pneumoniae and horizontal transfer of genes to other bacteria, and to control the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, the hospital infection control methods must be considered.