Genomic epidemiological analysis of Klebsiella pneumoniae from Portuguese hospitals reveals insights into circulating antimicrobial resistance

Anton Spadar, Jody Phelan, Rita Elias, Ana Modesto, Cátia Caneiras, Cátia Marques, Luís Lito, Margarida Pinto, Patrícia Cavaco-Silva, Helena Ferreira, Constança Pomba, Gabriela J. Da Silva, Maria José Saavedra, José Melo-Cristino, Aida Duarte, Susana Campino, João Perdigão, Taane G. Clark

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) bacteria are an increasing threat to public health and represent one of the most concerning pathogens involved in life-threatening infections and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). To understand the epidemiology of AMR of Kp in Portugal, we analysed whole genome sequencing, susceptibility testing and other meta data on 509 isolates collected nationwide from 16 hospitals and environmental settings between years 1980 and 2019. Predominant sequence types (STs) included ST15 (n = 161, 32%), ST147 (n = 36, 7%), ST14 (n = 26, 5%) or ST13 (n = 26, 5%), while 31% of isolates belonged to STs with fewer than 10 isolates. AMR testing revealed widespread resistance to aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins and carbapenems. The most common carbapenemase gene was blaKPC-3. Whilst the distribution of AMR linked plasmids appears uncorrelated with ST, their frequency has changed over time. Before year 2010, the dominant plasmid group was associated with the extended spectrum beta-lactamase gene blaCTX-M-15, but this group appears to have been displaced by another carrying the blaKPC-3 gene. Co-carriage of blaCTX-M and blaKPC-3 was uncommon. Our results from the largest genomics study of Kp in Portugal highlight the active transmission of strains with AMR genes and provide a baseline set of variants for future resistance monitoring and epidemiological studies.

Original languageEnglish
Article number13791
JournalScientific Reports
Volume12
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2022

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