Ecological Risk and Security Research

Abstract Klebsiella pneumoniae  is one of the leading causes of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and is increasingly associated with multidrug resistance, posing significant therapeutic challenges. Continuous surveillance of its antimicrobial susceptibility profile is essential for effective clinical management. This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2023 to December 2023 in a tertiary care hospital. A total of 12 urine samples were collected from patients with suspected UTIs. Samples were cultured using standard microbiological techniques, and isolates were identified by colony morphology, Gram staining, and biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method following CLSI guidelines. Out of 12 urine samples, 10 (83%) showed bacterial growth and were identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae . Among the isolates, 8 (80%) were from female patients and 2 (20%) from male patients. The majority of patients (40%) belonged to the 41–60 years age group, followed by ≥61 years (30%). Most isolates were obtained from OPD patients (70%), while 30% were from IPD patients. The highest sensitivity was observed to Meropenem (90%) and Tigecycline (90%), followed by Gentamicin (70%). Moderate sensitivity (50%) was noted for Cefotaxime, Amoxicillin, Ceftazidime, Cefoxitin, Ampicillin, and Ciprofloxacin. The lowest sensitivity was seen with Doxycycline (10%) and Colistin (40%). Multidrug resistance (MDR) was detected in 7 (70%) isolates, while no extensively drug-resistant (XDR) or pan drug-resistant (PDR) strains were identified. Klebsiella pneumoniae  remains a significant uropathogen with a high prevalence of multidrug resistance. Carbapenems and Tigecycline showed the highest effectiveness, whereas resistance to commonly used antibiotics was considerable. Regular antimicrobial surveillance and rational antibiotic use are essential to control the spread of resistant strains.