BLOOD PICTURE AND DNA DAMAGE CAUSED BY KLEBSIELLA PNEUMONIA IN ALBINO MALE RABBITS.

Klebsiella is an encapsulated bacillus, a member of the family Enterobacteriaceae. Klebsiella can cause various illnesses, including pneumonia, bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections, and meningitis. Klebsiella has emerged as a nosocomial pathogen, particularly in premature infants and intensive care units (ICUs). This experiment aimed to investigate the toxic effects of K. pneumoniae on blood pictures and DNA structure. Thirty (30) male rabbits were divided into three groups. 1st group (GI) was given 1 milliliter/animal an oral dose of phosphate buffer saline (PBS) by a stomach tube as a control group for 60 days. The 2nd group (GII) was given one dose a week of 1 milliliter containing viable K. pneumoniae (1 X 106 CFU/ml) orally by stomach tube for 60 days. The 3rd group (GIII) was given the same dose twice a week. After 60 days, blood samples were collected from the heart and divided into 2 parts: 1st part for hematological analysis and 2nd part for detection of DNA damage using comet assay. The results of the hematological analysis showed significantly decreased RBCs, Hb and PCV, and considerably increased WBCs, lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils in the 2nd and 3rd groups, compared with the control group. In contrast, the comet assay showed DNA damage in the WBC of the different groups. The mean ± SE of tail length, tail intensity, tail moment and % DNA in the tail showed significant increases in the 2nd and 3rd groups, compared with the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]