Emergence and evolution of rare ST592 blaNDM-1-positive carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae in China

ObjectivesThis study aimed to characterize the genomes of two rare ST592 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates and to explore their evolution into carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (CR-hvKp).MethodsThe minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined using a VITEK 2 compact system. C...

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Main Authors: Huan Zhang, Su Dong, Caiping Mao, Yuejuan Fang, Junjie Ying
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1565980/full
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author Huan Zhang
Su Dong
Caiping Mao
Yuejuan Fang
Junjie Ying
author_facet Huan Zhang
Su Dong
Caiping Mao
Yuejuan Fang
Junjie Ying
author_sort Huan Zhang
collection DOAJ
description ObjectivesThis study aimed to characterize the genomes of two rare ST592 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates and to explore their evolution into carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (CR-hvKp).MethodsThe minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined using a VITEK 2 compact system. Conjugation experiments were conducted using film matings. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed using the Illumina and Nanopore platforms. The antimicrobial resistance determinants were identified using the ABRicate program in the ResFinder database. Insertion sequences were identified using ISFinder and the bacterial virulence factors identified using the Virulence Factor Database (VFDB). The K and O loci were examined using Kleborate. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and replicon type identification were performed by the Center for Genomic Epidemiology. Conjugation-related elements were predicted using oriTfinder. The plasmid structure was visualized using Circos, and a possible evolutionary model was constructed using BioRender.ResultsIsolates KPZM6 and KPZM16 were identified as ST592 and KL57, respectively, and were collected from the same department. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing data revealed that KPZM16 possesses an extensively drug-resistant (XDR) profile, whereas KPZM6 is a susceptible K. pneumoniae. The hybrid assembly showed that both KPZM6 and KPZM16 have one pLVPK-like virulence plasmid carrying the rmpA, rmpA2, and iucABCD-iutA gene clusters. However, strain KPZM16 harbors one IncN plasmid carrying the carbapenem resistance genes blaNDM-1, dfrA14, and qnrS1. The results of the conjugation experiments demonstrated that the plasmid could be transferred to the recipient strain. It is possible that the NDM-1-producing plasmid was transferred from KPZM6 to KPZM16 via conjugation, leading to the formation of CR-hvKp.ConclusionsThis is the first study in which complete genomic characterization of the rare NDM-1-producing ST592 K. pneumoniae clinical isolate was performed. This study provides a possible evolutionary hypothesis for the formation of CR-hvKp via conjugation. Early detection is recommended to avoid the extensive spread of this clone.
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spelling doaj-art-3768a2e449ba4ea88d8db574ec94326e2025-08-20T03:41:03ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology2235-29882025-03-011510.3389/fcimb.2025.15659801565980Emergence and evolution of rare ST592 blaNDM-1-positive carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae in ChinaHuan Zhang0Su Dong1Caiping Mao2Yuejuan Fang3Junjie Ying4Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Clinical Laboratory, Shaoxing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Pharmacy, Quzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Quzhou, ChinaDepartment of Urology, The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People’s Hospital, Quzhou, ChinaObjectivesThis study aimed to characterize the genomes of two rare ST592 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates and to explore their evolution into carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (CR-hvKp).MethodsThe minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined using a VITEK 2 compact system. Conjugation experiments were conducted using film matings. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed using the Illumina and Nanopore platforms. The antimicrobial resistance determinants were identified using the ABRicate program in the ResFinder database. Insertion sequences were identified using ISFinder and the bacterial virulence factors identified using the Virulence Factor Database (VFDB). The K and O loci were examined using Kleborate. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and replicon type identification were performed by the Center for Genomic Epidemiology. Conjugation-related elements were predicted using oriTfinder. The plasmid structure was visualized using Circos, and a possible evolutionary model was constructed using BioRender.ResultsIsolates KPZM6 and KPZM16 were identified as ST592 and KL57, respectively, and were collected from the same department. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing data revealed that KPZM16 possesses an extensively drug-resistant (XDR) profile, whereas KPZM6 is a susceptible K. pneumoniae. The hybrid assembly showed that both KPZM6 and KPZM16 have one pLVPK-like virulence plasmid carrying the rmpA, rmpA2, and iucABCD-iutA gene clusters. However, strain KPZM16 harbors one IncN plasmid carrying the carbapenem resistance genes blaNDM-1, dfrA14, and qnrS1. The results of the conjugation experiments demonstrated that the plasmid could be transferred to the recipient strain. It is possible that the NDM-1-producing plasmid was transferred from KPZM6 to KPZM16 via conjugation, leading to the formation of CR-hvKp.ConclusionsThis is the first study in which complete genomic characterization of the rare NDM-1-producing ST592 K. pneumoniae clinical isolate was performed. This study provides a possible evolutionary hypothesis for the formation of CR-hvKp via conjugation. Early detection is recommended to avoid the extensive spread of this clone.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1565980/fullWGSST592NDM-1evolutionCR-hvKp
spellingShingle Huan Zhang
Su Dong
Caiping Mao
Yuejuan Fang
Junjie Ying
Emergence and evolution of rare ST592 blaNDM-1-positive carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae in China
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
WGS
ST592
NDM-1
evolution
CR-hvKp
title Emergence and evolution of rare ST592 blaNDM-1-positive carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae in China
title_full Emergence and evolution of rare ST592 blaNDM-1-positive carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae in China
title_fullStr Emergence and evolution of rare ST592 blaNDM-1-positive carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae in China
title_full_unstemmed Emergence and evolution of rare ST592 blaNDM-1-positive carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae in China
title_short Emergence and evolution of rare ST592 blaNDM-1-positive carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae in China
title_sort emergence and evolution of rare st592 blandm 1 positive carbapenem resistant hypervirulent klebsiella pneumoniae in china
topic WGS
ST592
NDM-1
evolution
CR-hvKp
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1565980/full
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