Abstract
BACKGROUND: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a gram-negative bacterium naturally found in the gastrointestinal and oropharyngeal tracts but can become an opportunistic pathogen, causing severe healthcare-associated infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology and antibiotic resistance patterns of K. pneumoniae infections among female patients in a long-term care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional retrospective study examined microbial cultures of 27 female patients with confirmed positive cultures of K. pneumoniae who were admitted to a long-term care hospital in Riyadh. Demographic information, in addition to culture sites and antibiotic susceptibility tests, was collected. The associations between patient characteristics and resistance patterns were investigated, focusing on the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and the production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL). RESULTS: A total of 51.9% (n = 14) of CRE K. pneumoniae isolates were reported, indicating substantial antibiotic resistance. Patients with bedsores exhibited a lower CRE infection proportion (18.5%) compared to those without bedsores (33.3%), with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.888). Older age (>50 years) demonstrated a higher CRE infection prevalence (29.6%) compared to younger patients (22.2%), with no statistical significance (p = 0.351). Further, all patients reported the widespread use of Foley catheters, and tracheostomy or hospital stay duration did not significantly correlate with resistance patterns. Notably, imipenem exhibited the highest susceptibility rate (66.7%), whereas cotrimoxazole (51.9%) and ampicillin (33.3%) demonstrated a high resistance. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the increasing prevalence of CRE and ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae infections among female long-term care patients, underscoring the need for enhanced infection control strategies and antimicrobial stewardship programs to mitigate the spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. Targeted interventions, particularly for high-risk patients, are essential for reducing antimicrobial resistance in long-term care settings. Future research should include larger cohorts to further investigate gender-based differences in K. pneumoniae resistance patterns.