<i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> ST147 harboring <i>bla</i> _NDM-1 , multidrug resistance and hypervirulence plasmids

Abstract

The spread of hypervirulent (hv) and carbapenem-/multidrug-resistant <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> is an emerging problem in healthcare settings. The New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 (<i>bla</i>_NDM-1) is found in Enterobacteriaceae including <i>K. pneumoniae.</i> The <i>bla</i>_NDM-1 is capable of hydrolyzing β-lactam antibiotics which are used for treatment of severe infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. This is associated with the unacceptably high mortality rate in immunocompromised burn injury patients. This study reports on the characterization of <i>bla</i>_NDM-1 gene and virulence factors in hv carbapenem-/multidrug-resistant <i>K. pneumoniae</i> ST147 in the burns unit of a tertiary teaching hospital during routine surveillance. Two <i>K. pneumoniae</i> strains were obtained from wounds of burn-infected patients from May 2020 to July 2021. The hypervirulence genes and genetic context of the <i>bla</i>_NDM-1 gene and mobile genetic elements potentially involved in the transposition of the gene were analyzed. We identified a conserved genetic background and an IS<i>26</i> and open reading frame flanking the <i>bla</i>_NDM-1 gene that could suggest its involvement in the mobilization of the gene. The plasmid harbored additional antibiotic resistance predicted regions that were responsible for resistance to almost all the routinely used antibiotics. To ensure the identification of potential outbreak strains during routine surveillance, investigations on resistance genes and their environment in relation to evolution are necessary for molecular epidemiology.IMPORTANCEData obtained from this study will aid in the prompt identification of disease outbreaks including evolving resistance and virulence of the outbreak bacteria. This will help establish and implement antimicrobial stewardship programs and infection prevention protocols in fragile health systems in countries with limited resources. Integration of molecular surveillance and translation of whole-genome sequencing in routine diagnosis will provide valuable data for control of infection. This study reports for the first time a high-risk clone <i>K. pneumoniae</i> ST147 with hypervirulence and multidrug-resistance features in Ghana.