Work

Under-diagnosed hypermucoviscous Klebsiella pneumoniae in Latin America: a hidden threat? single-center case series, Bogota, Colombia

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: with enhanced virulence compared with classical strains. hvKp causes severe, invasive infections, including liver abscesses and metastatic disease, in otherwise healthy individuals. It is associated with enhanced capsule production and siderophore systems such as aerobactin, contributing to its pathogenicity. capable of causing severe community-acquired invasive infections has emerged, yet data from Latin America remain scarce. We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of adult patients with Kp bacteremia and confirmed deep-seated infections at a tertiary-care hospital in Colombia between 2016 and 2025. Due to limited availability of phenotypic and molecular virulence testing, cases were classified as infections clinically compatible with suspected hvKp. A total of 16 cases met the inclusion criteria. Most infections were community-acquired (87.5%) and occurred predominantly in men (62.5%). Hepatic abscess was the most frequent presentation (68.8%). Most isolates showed a wild-type antimicrobial susceptibility profile (87.5%), whereas two exhibited acquired resistance mechanisms. These findings suggest regional circulation and underdiagnosis of suspected hvKp. The identification of one hypermucoviscous carbapenem-resistant isolate highlights the need for strengthened microbiological and genomic surveillance.

Source: IJID Regions

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100832

Authors: Juan Camilo Motta, Juan Pablo Lara Castillo, Yuri Mercedes Mendieta

Institutions: Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Institute of Cardiology

Language: English

Topic: Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria

Subfield: Molecular Medicine

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,380