Multifocal diffusion of a KPC-3 producing ST512 K. pneumoniae clone in Northern Italy

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Genetics

Background:

• Sequence Type 258 (ST258) Klebsiella pneumoniae is a major cause of carbapenem-resistant infections in Europe.
• Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC) are a significant public health threat.
• Carbapenem-susceptibility in K. pneumoniae is often linked to the presence of blaKPC genes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the occurrence of blaKPC genes in K. pneumoniae isolates from Northern Italy.
• To describe the spread of a specific K. pneumoniae clone associated with blaKPC-3.

Main Methods:

• Collection of 56 nonreplicate K. pneumoniae isolates with decreased carbapenem-susceptibility from 7 hospitals in Northern Italy.
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and sequencing to detect blaKPC-type genes.
• Molecular typing to identify bacterial clones and track dissemination.

Main Results:

• blaKPC2 and blaKPC-3 genes were detected in 10/56 and 5/56 isolates, respectively.
• A K. pneumoniae ST512 clone harboring the blaKPC-3 gene was identified.
• Evidence of both intra- and inter-hospital spread of this ST512 clone was observed.

Conclusions:

• The K. pneumoniae ST512 clone carrying blaKPC-3 is circulating in Northern Italy.
• This highlights the importance of molecular surveillance for tracking the spread of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae.
• Understanding clonal spread is essential for implementing effective control strategies against CRE.