Klebsiella oxytoca is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen, increasingly associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs), especially in healthcare-associated infections. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of K. oxytoca in female UTI patients, the antimicrobial resistance pattern of the isolated strains and their clinical relevance.
During May 2024 – December 2025, 192 female patients with symptomatic UTIs were recruited from Al-Zahra Teaching Hospital in Najaf, Iraq. Standard microbiological and biochemical methods and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the species-specific pehX gene were used to identify bacterial isolates.
Thirty-six isolates (18.75%) were found to be K. oxytoca, and all produced the 344-bp PCR amplicon. The antimicrobial susceptibility test showed high resistance to ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin and low resistance to amikacin. The isolates were most susceptible to imipenem.
The results highlight the significance of using molecular diagnostic methods for correct identification of K. oxytoca and the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance of clinical isolates. To manage patients optimally and enhance infection control practices, the continuous epidemiological surveillance and implementation of targeted antimicrobial strategies are essential. Molecular identification of Klebsiella oxytoca can be reliably achieved using the pehX gene.