الفهرس 
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Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a healthcare-associated pathogen involved in different infections ranging from blood, respiratory, urinary and intra-abdominal infections. The most effective weapon of K. pneumoniae is not only the acquisition of antibiotic resistance, but also the expression of various virulence factors. This work aimed to identify the virulence characteristics of β-lactamase-producing K. pneumoniae isolated from patients admitted to Mansoura University Hospitals, using phenotypic and molecular methods. K. pneumoniae isolates were tested for their antimicrobial susceptibility and subjected to phenotypic assays to detect their ability to produce β-lactamase enzymes. The virulence characteristics of the isolates were detected phenotypically where the most common virulence feature was the production of lipase enzyme, haemagglutination, hypermucoviscosity and serum resistance, with notable increase among β-lactamase producing strains. PCR analysis showed the high expression of BssS and FimH virulence genes especially by β-lactamase producers. It was concluded that both modified Hodge test and EDTA combined disc test could be sensitive, easy to perform, and interpret phenotypic rapid methods for the detection of carbapenemases. Furthermore, identification of virulence factors of the pathogen might help in management process.