Work

Molecular characterization of ST15 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated in a single patient

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) poses a serious threat to antibiotic applicability and public health. During treatment, K. pneumoniae (KP) frequently exhibits shifts in drug-resistant phenotypes, complicating clinical treatment as it transitions from sensitivity to resistance. In this study, we analysed the clinical and molecular characteristics of drug resistance changes in KP strains isolated from a single patient, and the potential mechanisms underlying these resistance changes. METHODS: Antimicrobial susceptibility test and string test were conducted to evaluate the resistant and virulent characterization of the strains. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to investigate the homology relationship between the strains. The whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 9 representative isolates was also performed. The transfer ability of the drug-resistant plasmid was studied by plasmid conjugation experiment. The transconjugants were verified by polymerase chain reaction amplification of specific genes, antimicrobial susceptibility test and PFGE. RESULTS: respectively, resulting in the dissemination of carbapenem resistance genes. CONCLUSIONS: , may undergo inter-strain and inter-clone transfer via conjugation in the patient during treatment. Furthermore, our findings suggest that the pathogens in this patient are likely to have a common ancestral origin.

Source: Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance

DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2024.11.003