Study on the Potential of Oxidative Stress on Certain Pathogenic Characteristics of Hospital-Acquired Klebsiella pneumoniae
Subject Areas : Biotechnological Journal of Environmental Microbiology
1 - Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Basic Sciences,Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University
Keywords: Klebsiella pneumoniae, oxidative stress, virulence genes, biofilm, antimicrobial resistance, qRT-PCR,
Abstract :
Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a formidable nosocomial pathogen, with hypervirulent (hvKP) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains posing severe clinical threats. This study investigated the impact of oxidative stress on virulence gene expression and phenotypic adaptations in K. pneumoniae PTCC 1792, a hospital-acquired strain.
The strain was subjected to H2O2 treatments (0–9600 ppm) to assess oxidative stress tolerance. Biochemical profiling, biofilm assays, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed. Virulence genes (rmpA, wcaG, ycf) were detected by PCR. Gene expression was quantified via qRT-PCR (2−ΔΔCt method), normalized to rpoB.
The strain exhibited exceptional H2O2 resistance (MIC = 2400 ppm) and increased catalase activity (4.8-fold). Biofilm formation was enhanced at 600 ppm (28%) but disrupted at 2400 ppm. rmpA and wcaG were significantly upregulated (4.2-fold and 3.8-fold, respectively) at sublethal stress, while ycf showed biphasic regulation (2.1-fold↑ at 600 ppm; 0.6-fold↓ at 2400 ppm). The strain harbored blaSHV-12 and blaCTX-M-15, confirming MDR phenotype.
Oxidative stress triggers virulence gene expression and biofilm modulation in K. pneumoniae PTCC 1792, highlighting its adaptive resilience. The unique ycf response suggests unexplored stress-response pathways. These findings underscore the need for novel strategies targeting oxidative defense mechanisms in hvKP infections.
Klebsiella pneumoniae, oxidative stress, virulence genes, biofilm, antimicrobial resistance, qRT-PCR
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