Emergence of colistin resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae ST15 disseminating blaKPC-2 in a novel genetic platform

Abstract

Objectives: Isolation of colistin- and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CCR-Kp) is increasing in hospital settings worldwide, which is related to increased morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. The aim of this work was to perform whole-genome sequencing (WGS), genomic and phylogenetic analysis, and conjugation assays of an extensively drug-resistant (XDR) CCR-Kp isolate from Argentina.

Methods: WGS of strain KpS26 isolated from a bloodstream infection was performed using Illumina MiSeq-I, and de novo assembly was achieved using SPAdes v.3.11. A maximum likelihood tree was created using MEGA7 based on core genome single nucleotide polymorphisms from whole-genome alignment of K. pneumoniae isolates identified in silico as sequence type 15 (ST15). The resistome, plasmids and integrons were analysed using ResFinder, AMRFinderPlus, ISfinder, plasmidSPAdes, PlasmidFinder and IntegronFinder. Standard conjugation was performed.

Results: KpS26 belonged to ST15, which is less common than ST258, ST25 and ST11 that are globally reported as responsible for CCR-Kp outbreaks. Fourteen transferable antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), including bla_KPC-2 in a novel genetic platform transferable by conjugation, were detected contributing to the XDR phenotype. The amino acid substitution T157P in the protein encoded by the pmrB gene of KpS26, previously reported as being responsible for resistance to colistin in K. pneumoniae lineages globally disseminated, was also identified in this strain.

Conclusion: The XDR CCR-Kp isolate analysed here shows that ST15 is also disseminating bla_KPC-2 in Argentina alongside other ARGs, evidencing that KPC epidemiology continues to be shaped by intricate and assorted ways of lateral gene transfer.

Keywords: Argentina; KPC; Klebsiella pneumoniae; ST15.