article · Scientific Reports
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a global public health concern, recognized by the World Health Organization’s Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System for its ability to develop resistance to multiple antibiotics and facilitate the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. Despite its potential to cause severe and high-mortality hospital-associated infections, genomic and epidemiological data on K. pneumoniae remain limited in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including Ghana. In this study, 201 isolates from diverse clinical sources were whole genome sequenced and characterized through bioinformatic analysis as part of the UK Aid Fleming Fund Regional Grant SeqAfrica project. Among the 201 K . pneumoniae genomes from six Ghanaian regions, urine was the dominant specimen (50.25%). The population was highly diverse, with ST17, ST15, ST39, and ST22 predominating, and K2:O1 identified as the leading serotype. Resistance determinants were widespread. bla CTX-M-15 was the dominant beta-lactamase gene (57.21%), while carbapenemase genes occurred in nine genomes, mainly bla NDM-1 in ST147. 80.43% of the genomes concurrently haboured chromosomal and acquired fluoroquinolone resistance determinants, with 62.16% of these isolates originating from urine samples. A wound-associated O3/O3a-ST1263 genome carried the colistin resistance gene mcr-10 . Virulence determinants were detected in 57.71% of genomes, dominated by yersiniabactin, while six genomes carried rmpADC -associated hypervirulence markers. Plasmid replicon analysis identified 27 types in 97.01% of genomes, predominantly IncFIB(K), IncFII(K), and Col(pHAD28), with distribution varying by specimen and geographic region. Carbapenemases and the mcr-10 gene were linked to mobile genetic elements. Core SNP analysis identified closely related genomic clusters within several hospitals suggesting missed potential outbreaks. This study enhances our understanding of antibiotic-resistant K. pneumoniae in Ghana, including their clonal diversity, antimicrobial resistance burden, and other genetic factors influencing their success.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-61184-4
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
