The wzc mutation mediates virulence changes in K1-type Klebsiella pneumoniae within the same patient
Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) is a major pathogen causing community-acquired infections, particularly severe diseases such as liver abscesses. Although extensive research has been conducted on the virulence mechanisms of hvKp and the genetic properties of resistance plasmids, studies on...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Microbiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1577629/full |
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| author | Gaoqin Teng Gaoqin Teng Qiuying Qin Qiuying Qin Shuo Ding Shuo Ding Yanchao Wu Yanchao Wu Yingying Fu Meng Zhang Xiaoqiang Yang Ye Jin Ye Jin Zhijiang Xu Zhijiang Xu Man Huang Man Huang |
| author_facet | Gaoqin Teng Gaoqin Teng Qiuying Qin Qiuying Qin Shuo Ding Shuo Ding Yanchao Wu Yanchao Wu Yingying Fu Meng Zhang Xiaoqiang Yang Ye Jin Ye Jin Zhijiang Xu Zhijiang Xu Man Huang Man Huang |
| author_sort | Gaoqin Teng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) is a major pathogen causing community-acquired infections, particularly severe diseases such as liver abscesses. Although extensive research has been conducted on the virulence mechanisms of hvKp and the genetic properties of resistance plasmids, studies on the adaptive evolution of clinical strains within the host are still limited. This study aimed to investigate the impact of genetic mutations on phenotypic changes in high-virulence K. pneumoniae within a host environment. We isolated three strains of K. pneumoniae from the same patient, two of which had identical genetic backgrounds but exhibited distinct phenotypic traits. Comparative genomic analysis was performed to identify genetic differences. A nucleotide mutation in the wzc gene was identified as a potential factor associated with changes in the mucoid phenotype. This mutation was verified using string tests and anti-centrifugal assays. Additionally, in vivo bioassays and animal infection models were conducted to further validate the findings. The comparative genomic analysis revealed a nucleotide mutation in the wzc gene, which was associated with changes in the mucoid phenotype of the strain. This was confirmed through string tests and anti-centrifugal assays. In vivo experiments and animal infection models suggested that hvKp adapts to the host by reducing capsular polysaccharide synthesis, thereby trading off some virulence for enhanced colonization capabilities. Our findings indicate that genetic mutations in hvKp can lead to significant phenotypic changes that facilitate adaptation within the host. The observed reduction in capsular polysaccharide synthesis appears to be a trade-off between virulence and colonization ability. This study provides insights into the adaptive evolution of hvKp and highlights the importance of considering intrahost genetic changes when studying the pathogenesis of hvKp. Future research should focus on further elucidating the mechanisms underlying these adaptations and their clinical implications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c626fd9336734b5587b8a55a97eebca0 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1664-302X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Microbiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-c626fd9336734b5587b8a55a97eebca02025-08-20T02:30:50ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Microbiology1664-302X2025-05-011610.3389/fmicb.2025.15776291577629The wzc mutation mediates virulence changes in K1-type Klebsiella pneumoniae within the same patientGaoqin Teng0Gaoqin Teng1Qiuying Qin2Qiuying Qin3Shuo Ding4Shuo Ding5Yanchao Wu6Yanchao Wu7Yingying Fu8Meng Zhang9Xiaoqiang Yang10Ye Jin11Ye Jin12Zhijiang Xu13Zhijiang Xu14Man Huang15Man Huang16Department of General Intensive Care Unit, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, ChinaKey Laboratory of Multiple Organ Failure (Zhejiang University), Ministry of Education, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of General Intensive Care Unit, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Immunology and Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, ChinaDepartment of General Intensive Care Unit, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, ChinaKey Laboratory of Multiple Organ Failure (Zhejiang University), Ministry of Education, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of General Intensive Care Unit, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, ChinaKey Laboratory of Multiple Organ Failure (Zhejiang University), Ministry of Education, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Immunology and Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Immunology and Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Immunology and Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, ChinaDepartment of General Intensive Care Unit, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, ChinaKey Laboratory of Multiple Organ Failure (Zhejiang University), Ministry of Education, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of General Intensive Care Unit, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, ChinaKey Laboratory of Multiple Organ Failure (Zhejiang University), Ministry of Education, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of General Intensive Care Unit, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, ChinaKey Laboratory of Multiple Organ Failure (Zhejiang University), Ministry of Education, Zhejiang, ChinaHypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) is a major pathogen causing community-acquired infections, particularly severe diseases such as liver abscesses. Although extensive research has been conducted on the virulence mechanisms of hvKp and the genetic properties of resistance plasmids, studies on the adaptive evolution of clinical strains within the host are still limited. This study aimed to investigate the impact of genetic mutations on phenotypic changes in high-virulence K. pneumoniae within a host environment. We isolated three strains of K. pneumoniae from the same patient, two of which had identical genetic backgrounds but exhibited distinct phenotypic traits. Comparative genomic analysis was performed to identify genetic differences. A nucleotide mutation in the wzc gene was identified as a potential factor associated with changes in the mucoid phenotype. This mutation was verified using string tests and anti-centrifugal assays. Additionally, in vivo bioassays and animal infection models were conducted to further validate the findings. The comparative genomic analysis revealed a nucleotide mutation in the wzc gene, which was associated with changes in the mucoid phenotype of the strain. This was confirmed through string tests and anti-centrifugal assays. In vivo experiments and animal infection models suggested that hvKp adapts to the host by reducing capsular polysaccharide synthesis, thereby trading off some virulence for enhanced colonization capabilities. Our findings indicate that genetic mutations in hvKp can lead to significant phenotypic changes that facilitate adaptation within the host. The observed reduction in capsular polysaccharide synthesis appears to be a trade-off between virulence and colonization ability. This study provides insights into the adaptive evolution of hvKp and highlights the importance of considering intrahost genetic changes when studying the pathogenesis of hvKp. Future research should focus on further elucidating the mechanisms underlying these adaptations and their clinical implications.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1577629/fullhypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniaevirulencewzccapsular polysaccharidemucoid |
| spellingShingle | Gaoqin Teng Gaoqin Teng Qiuying Qin Qiuying Qin Shuo Ding Shuo Ding Yanchao Wu Yanchao Wu Yingying Fu Meng Zhang Xiaoqiang Yang Ye Jin Ye Jin Zhijiang Xu Zhijiang Xu Man Huang Man Huang The wzc mutation mediates virulence changes in K1-type Klebsiella pneumoniae within the same patient Frontiers in Microbiology hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae virulence wzc capsular polysaccharide mucoid |
| title | The wzc mutation mediates virulence changes in K1-type Klebsiella pneumoniae within the same patient |
| title_full | The wzc mutation mediates virulence changes in K1-type Klebsiella pneumoniae within the same patient |
| title_fullStr | The wzc mutation mediates virulence changes in K1-type Klebsiella pneumoniae within the same patient |
| title_full_unstemmed | The wzc mutation mediates virulence changes in K1-type Klebsiella pneumoniae within the same patient |
| title_short | The wzc mutation mediates virulence changes in K1-type Klebsiella pneumoniae within the same patient |
| title_sort | wzc mutation mediates virulence changes in k1 type klebsiella pneumoniae within the same patient |
| topic | hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae virulence wzc capsular polysaccharide mucoid |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1577629/full |
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