ISSN: 0973-7510

E-ISSN: 2581-690X

Research Article | Open Access
Nontaphat Leerach1,2, Narak Pravitra1, Sopicha Aungkawimongkol1,
Natthanun Tawornsatit1, Nitima Tatiya-aphiradee3, Thawatchai Kitti4,
Payton To Yau5, Sutthirat Sitthisak6 and Wiriya Mahikul1,2,7
1Princess Srisavangavadhana Faculty of Medicine, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand.
2Health Informatics Hub, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand.
3Program in Veterinary Technology and Veterinary Nursing, Faculty of Technology and Engineering, Udon Thani Rajabhat University, Udon Thani, Thailand.
4Department of Oriental Medicine, Chiang Rai College, Chiangrai, Thailand.
5School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
6Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.
7School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
Article Number: 11885 | © The Author(s). 2026
J Pure Appl Microbiol. 2026;20(3):2729-2747. https://doi.org/10.22207/JPAM.20.3.65
Received: 08 June 2026 | Accepted: 14 August 2026 | Published online: 04 September 2026
Issue online: September 2026
Abstract

Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the major pathogens associated with multidrug resistance. This study aims to estimate the prevalence and characterize the molecular epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae in Thailand. We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and a Thai Journals Online (ThaiJO) from inception to November 19, 2024. Subgroup, meta-regression, and heterogeneity analyses were conducted. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Egger’s test. The pooled prevalence estimates reflect proportions reported in published hospital-based studies. A total of 32 studies were included in the systematic review, with 27 studies included in the meta-analysis. The pooled proportion of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates was 87% (95% CI: 81%, 91%), with increasing trends observed for imipenem and meropenem resistance between 2014 and 2024. Ertapenem resistance remained high across regions, peaking in 2020 (100%) and 2024 (86%), particularly in the North and Northeast. The most prevalent carbapenemase gene was blaNDM (50%). Among the ESBL-associated genes, the pooled prevalence estimate was highest for blaCTX-M (86%). Co-harboring of blaNDM and blaOXA-48-like was observed in 36% of the isolates. Co-harboring of ESBL genes was detected in 25% of isolates. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses confirmed significant heterogeneity across regions and years. This meta-analysis highlights a high and growing burden of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae in Thailand, marked by notable geographic variation and a predominance of blaNDM and ESBL genes. While the findings are indicative of important trends, the observed heterogeneity suggests that the results should be interpreted with caution.

Keywords

Klebsiella pneumoniae, Carbapenem Resistance, Molecular Epidemiology, Carbapenemase, ESBL, Thailand

Article Metrics

Article View: 275

Share This Article

© The Author(s) 2026. Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License which permits unrestricted use, sharing, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.