ABSTRACT
Introduction: Klebsiella species cause pneumonia, UTI, and septicemia in human beings. Beta-lactam drugs are used extensively to treat patients infected with Klebsiella, but most of the Klebsiella species are resistant to third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins and monobactams to which data are scarce in the study area. Objective: To determine the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, ESBL production, and associated risk factors of Klebsiella species among UTI-suspected patients in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A multi-institution-based prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2019. Midstream urines were collected from 385 patients and inoculated onto CLED and MacConkey agars. Identification of growth was done by a battery of biochemical tests. Antimicrobial resistance and ESBL production patterns were determined by using the disc-diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar. Quality of data was maintained by following SOPs and using Klebsiella pneumoniae (ACTT700603). Logistic regression statistical analysis was done using the SPSS, version 25, statistical package. A pvalue ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The median age of the study participants was 32 years. Majority of them were female, urban residents, and unable to read and/or write. The total Klebsiella species detected were 38 (9.9%). Of which, 25 (65.8%) were Klebsiella pneumoniae, followed by 6 (15.8%) Klebsiella ozaenae. 20 (80%), 19 (76%), and 19 (76%) Klebsiella pneumoniae showed resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ampicillin, and cotrimoxazole, respectively. All K. oxytoca were resistant to ampicillin, and all K. rhinoscleromatis were resistant to cefoxitin and cefotaxime. Klebsiella species that showed resistance to ≥3 antimicrobials were 26 (68%). ESBL-producing Klebsiella species were 10 (26.3%). Patients who had history of antibiotic use, hospitalization, and tight dressing habit had more risk of getting UTI (p < 0.05) than their counterparts. Conclusions: Overall UTI prevalence in our study was lower than that of previous Ethiopian studies. High MDR and ESBL-producing Klebsiella species were detected. Patients' history of antibiotic use, hospitalization, and tight dressing habit were risk factors for UTI. It calls up for improving prevention/control systems of Klebsiella species.
