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Assessing genetic diversity and similarity of 435 KPC-carrying plasmids

Christian Brandt1,2, Adrian Viehweger3,4, Abhijeet Singh5

  • 1Institute for Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany. christian.jena@gmail.com.

Scientific Reports
|August 4, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, especially carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, are a growing threat. Analysis of KPC plasmids reveals rapid diversification driven by transposons like Tn4401, accelerating antimicrobial resistance spread.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative (MRGN) bacteria, particularly carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, present significant healthcare challenges.
  • The blaKPC gene, a primary driver of carbapenem resistance, has spread globally in healthcare settings over the past decade.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the diversification and spread dynamics of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC) plasmids.
  • To analyze the genetic elements and mechanisms contributing to KPC gene dissemination.

Main Methods:

  • Bioinformatic analysis of all available KPC plasmids in the NCBI database.
  • Classification of plasmids into incompatibility (Inc) groups and identification of associated genetic elements, including transposons.

Main Results:

  • 257 representative KPC plasmids were identified, with 79.4% assigned to specific Inc groups.
  • The Tn4401 transposon and its variants were found in nearly half of the analyzed plasmids, facilitating KPC gene transfer.
  • Plasmids frequently contained genes promoting recombination and mutagenesis, accelerating resistance gene diversification.

Conclusions:

  • The diversification of KPC plasmids is significantly influenced by the Tn4401 transposon and plasmid-borne accessory genes.
  • These genetic mechanisms contribute to the rapid spread and evolution of carbapenem resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae, posing an ongoing public health concern.

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