Objective: Detection of OqxA and OqxB efflux pump genes in multidrug resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae. Methodology: This study was done on 80 Klebsiella pneumoniae
isolates from patients in Intensive Care Unit of Benha University Hospitals. The isolated
Klebsiella pneumoniae was identified by conventional laboratory methods with
subspecies identification by VITEK 2 system. Also, Antibiotic sensitivity tests were done
by VITEK 2 method. OqxA and OqxB genes were detected by PCR. Results: Ninety
percentages of isolates were carrying OqxA gene and 60% of isolates were carrying
OqxB gene while OqxA and OqxB genes together were in 60% of isolated K.
Pneumoniae. The OqxA gene was detected in 94.1% and OqxB was detected in 67.6% of
isolated multidrug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Conclusion: There is high
correlation between OqxAB efflux pump genes and resistance to different antibiotic
classes including quinolones and fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agents. This study shows
that there is a significant association between the existence of OqxAB genes and MDR
Klebsiella pneumoniae.