Isolation and identification of Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria and study of virulence gene expression using RT-PCR and its effect on some immunological variables

Abstract

 Eighty samples were collected from inpatients and healthy individuals in health facilities in Salah al-Din Governorate. The sample consisted of 48 patients (55%) and 32 healthy individuals (45%). Forty-four (44) urine samples and thirty-six (36) samples from burns and wounds were collected between March 2025 and July 2025. The patients' ages ranged from 5 to 65 years. All samples were subjected to bacterial culture, and the results showed that 65 (55%) of the samples were positive for bacterial culture, while 32 (45%) of the samples were negative for bacterial culture. Subsequently, blood samples were collected from the group of patients and healthy individuals and separated by centrifugation. Then, the biochemical variables, which included (IL-6, TNF-α), were measured. The results showed a significant increase in the group of patients infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae compared to the control group (healthy individuals) at a probability level of P ≤ 0.05. Also, virulence factors were investigated phenotypically, and the results of genetic detection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed the presence of the biofilm of Klebsiella pneumoniae.