Synergistic effect of combined imipenem and photodynamic treatment with the cationic Ir(III) complexes to polypyridine ligand on carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae

•The Photodynamic treatment helped to eradicate the MDR bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae•Photosensitizers based in Ir(III) are useful for aPDI over KPC producer Klebsiella pneumoniae.•Ir(III) PS produces a synergistic effect with imipenem against KPC-producer Klebsiella pneumoniae.•Ir(III) PS produced no cytotoxicity over normal cells but produce light-activated cytotoxicity over tumoral cells.