Previously titled: Characterization of CTX-M-15- Klebsiella pneumoniae from the inpatients and outpatients of a teaching hospital

Background The presence of Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) positive bacteria in hospital setting is an aggravating influential factor for hospitalized patients, and its consequences may be hazardous. Therefore, there is a need for rapid detection methods for newly emerging drug-resistant bacteria. This study was aimed at the molecular characterization of ESBL-positive Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates recovered from clinical samples. Methods A total of 513 K. pneumoniae isolates were obtained from various clinical samples during June 2019 to May 2020. The collected isolates were investigated for antimicrobial susceptibility (antibiogram), and PCR and DNA sequencing were performed to analyse the ESBL genes. Results Among the 513 isolates, as many as 359 (69.9%) were ESBL producers and 87.5% were multi-drug resistant, while none had resistance to imipenem. PCR scored 3% blaTEM, 3% blaSHV, and 60% blaCTX-M-15 Open Peer Review