ST11 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae integrates virulence plasmid fragments into the chromosome via insertion sequence
Abstract Virulence plasmids are key drivers of hypervirulence in Klebsiella pneumoniae. Here, we report a systematic analysis of chromosomal integration of a p17-15vir-derived fragment carrying virulence (rmpA2 and iutA-iucABCD) and resistance genes in nine bla KPC−2-positive ST11-KL47 carbapenem-re...
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BMC
2025-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Microbiology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-025-04235-6 |
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| author | Xu Liu Lijuan Xu Huiyue Dong Shangshang Qin Yan Li Hong Yao |
| author_facet | Xu Liu Lijuan Xu Huiyue Dong Shangshang Qin Yan Li Hong Yao |
| author_sort | Xu Liu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Virulence plasmids are key drivers of hypervirulence in Klebsiella pneumoniae. Here, we report a systematic analysis of chromosomal integration of a p17-15vir-derived fragment carrying virulence (rmpA2 and iutA-iucABCD) and resistance genes in nine bla KPC−2-positive ST11-KL47 carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) isolates. Of these, seven exhibited a hypervirulent phenotype in a mouse infection model. Nanopore sequencing analysis revealed that these virulence-associated integration regions could be classified into three distinct groups based on their structural patterns. Notably, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the formation of the integration region and proposed an IS26-mediated model for the integration of virulence gene-carrying plasmid fragment into the chromosome. Besides, ISKpn1 was identified for the first time as a preferred insertion hotspot. Both bla KPC−2 and rmpA2 demonstrated stable persistence in these isolates without antibiotic selection pressure, and group I integration regions displayed the capability to form circular intermediates. These findings provide critical insights into the virulence plasmid fragment integrated into their chromosomes and underscore the importance of surveillance for such hybrid threats. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ce0a8cc264064015bbec0005ccd0863c |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1471-2180 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Microbiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-ce0a8cc264064015bbec0005ccd0863c2025-08-20T03:04:34ZengBMCBMC Microbiology1471-21802025-08-012511910.1186/s12866-025-04235-6ST11 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae integrates virulence plasmid fragments into the chromosome via insertion sequenceXu Liu0Lijuan Xu1Huiyue Dong2Shangshang Qin3Yan Li4Hong Yao5Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityDepartment of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences, XNA Platform, Zhengzhou UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences, XNA Platform, Zhengzhou UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences, XNA Platform, Zhengzhou UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural UniversityAbstract Virulence plasmids are key drivers of hypervirulence in Klebsiella pneumoniae. Here, we report a systematic analysis of chromosomal integration of a p17-15vir-derived fragment carrying virulence (rmpA2 and iutA-iucABCD) and resistance genes in nine bla KPC−2-positive ST11-KL47 carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) isolates. Of these, seven exhibited a hypervirulent phenotype in a mouse infection model. Nanopore sequencing analysis revealed that these virulence-associated integration regions could be classified into three distinct groups based on their structural patterns. Notably, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the formation of the integration region and proposed an IS26-mediated model for the integration of virulence gene-carrying plasmid fragment into the chromosome. Besides, ISKpn1 was identified for the first time as a preferred insertion hotspot. Both bla KPC−2 and rmpA2 demonstrated stable persistence in these isolates without antibiotic selection pressure, and group I integration regions displayed the capability to form circular intermediates. These findings provide critical insights into the virulence plasmid fragment integrated into their chromosomes and underscore the importance of surveillance for such hybrid threats.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-025-04235-6Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniaInsertion sequenceVirulence plasmidsIntegration mechanisms |
| spellingShingle | Xu Liu Lijuan Xu Huiyue Dong Shangshang Qin Yan Li Hong Yao ST11 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae integrates virulence plasmid fragments into the chromosome via insertion sequence BMC Microbiology Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumonia Insertion sequence Virulence plasmids Integration mechanisms |
| title | ST11 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae integrates virulence plasmid fragments into the chromosome via insertion sequence |
| title_full | ST11 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae integrates virulence plasmid fragments into the chromosome via insertion sequence |
| title_fullStr | ST11 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae integrates virulence plasmid fragments into the chromosome via insertion sequence |
| title_full_unstemmed | ST11 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae integrates virulence plasmid fragments into the chromosome via insertion sequence |
| title_short | ST11 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae integrates virulence plasmid fragments into the chromosome via insertion sequence |
| title_sort | st11 carbapenem resistant klebsiella pneumoniae integrates virulence plasmid fragments into the chromosome via insertion sequence |
| topic | Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumonia Insertion sequence Virulence plasmids Integration mechanisms |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-025-04235-6 |
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