Emergence of conjugative metallo-β-lactamase-encoding plasmids in the Klebsiella pneumoniae species complex: First identification of IMP-8-MCR-9.1 in K. quasipneumoniae and VIM-1 in K. variicola in Taiwan
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of carbapenemase genes in the Klebsiella pneumoniae species complex ( Kp SC) in Taiwan. We analyzed 1,226 carbapenem-resistant Kp SC (CR Kp SC) from three hospitals across Taiwan to assess carbapenemase gene prevalence and the distribution of carbapenem-resistant K. quasipneumoniae (CR Kq ) and carbapenem-resistant K. variicola (CR Kv ). Whole-genome sequencing, conjugation assays, and a larvae infection were used to characterize metallo-β-lactamase-carrying plasmids in CR Kq and CR Kv . Among the CR Kp SC isolates, 246 (20.1%) carried bla KPC , 42 (3.4%) bla OXA-48 , and three carried both. Only 12 (1.0%), 8 (0.7%), and 6 (0.5%) carried bla IMP , bla NDM , and bla VIM , respectively. Of all CR Kp SC isolates, six were Kq and one was Kv ; only one Kq (NCKUH114) carried bla IMP and one Kv (NTUH73) carried bla VIM . pNCKUH114-1 (305,605 bp), an IncHI2/IncHI2A plasmid, encoded bla IMP-8 and mcr-9.1 , while pNTUH73-1 (284,771 bp), a repFIB/repHI5B plasmid, carried bla VIM-1 . The most similar plasmid in the NCBI database showed 94% coverage for pNCKUH114-1 and less than 35% for pNTUH73-1. Under our experimental conditions, both plasmids could be transferred only into E. coli EC359, but this did not enhance its virulence in larvae. We firstly report the presence of conjugative carbapenemase-carrying plasmids in Kq and Kv in Taiwan. The recombination and dissemination of these plasmids warrant close monitoring.
Authors: Yu-Hua Fan, Heng-Chang Chuang, Dang Khoa Tong, Daniel Yeng-Fong Lin, Rong-Xuan Wu, Yen-Zhen Zhang, Ya-Min Tsai, Yu-Tsung Huang, Yu-Chen Chen, Ming-Cheng Wang, Wei-Hung Lin, Cheng-Yen Kao
Institutions: Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Tao Yuan General Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, En Chu Kong Hospital, National Taiwan University Hospital, China Medical University, China Medical University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Medicine
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,310
Funders: National Science and Technology Council, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Education, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Taiwan University Hospital, Yen Tjing Ling Medical Foundation, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Tao Yuan General Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Awards: Combating Carbapenem Resistance in Klebsiella Oxytoca Complex and Enterobacter Cloacae Complex: a Multifaceted Approach in Taiwan, Investigation into the Evolution of Carbapenem-Resistant Escherichia Coli Within the Host and Its Association with Recurrent and Multi-Site Infections, G3548127998, G3916383077, Multi-Faceted Analysis of the Evolution of Escherichia Coli Within-Host and Its Interaction with Microbiota to Explore the Mechanisms of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections, G5501559117, Investigation of Hemolysin-Mediated Nets in Kidney Injuries during Urinary Tract Infections, National Human Microbiome Core Facility, Development of Novel Indolenine-Substituted Pyrazole Small Molecules to Combat Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcal Infections and Investigation of Their Antibacterial and Anti-Biofilm Mechanisms
OpenAlex ID: W4415533638