Maternal Health and Antibiotic Resistance: Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates Analysis

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, particularly Klebsiella pneumoniae, poses a significant threat to maternal and neonatal health in maternity clinics. The high rate of antibiotic resistance complicates treatment options, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. This study aims to investigate the antibiotic resistance patterns of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from maternity patients, informing strategies to mitigate the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and improve maternal healthcare outcomes. A total of 150 urine samples were collected and screened using standard microbiological techniques, revealing three strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae: KP03, KP2, and KPK2, with occurrences of 21.74%, 47.83%, and 30.43%, respectively. Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed that 54.72% of the isolates were resistant to conventional antibiotics, while 45.28% were susceptible. Notably, the resistant strains exhibited varying patterns of resistance, with 34.48% showing single antibiotic resistance and 65.52% displaying multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR). Statistical analysis using the student "t" test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirmed the significance of these findings, with a p-value of ≤ 0.05 indicating a statistically significant difference. The high prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in maternity patients poses a significant risk to maternal and neonatal health, emphasizing the need for effective antibiotic stewardship and infection control measures in healthcare settings. The findings of this study highlight the importance of monitoring antibiotic resistance patterns and developing targeted interventions to mitigate the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.