Pseudomonas aeruginosa High-Risk Sequence Type 463 Co-Producing KPC-2 and AFM-1 Carbapenemases, China, 2020-2022

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen frequently associated with hospital-acquired infections.
• Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) and other carbapenem-resistant organisms (CROs) represent a significant global health threat.
• Sequence type 463 (ST463) is an emerging high-risk clone of P. aeruginosa.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clonal spread and evolution of high-risk P. aeruginosa ST463.
• To characterize the carbapenemase genes (KPC-2 and AFM-1) harbored by these strains.
• To assess the public health implications of these multidrug-resistant isolates in Chinese hospitals.

Main Methods:

• Genomic analysis of P. aeruginosa isolates.
• Detection and characterization of carbapenemase genes (blaKPC-2, blaAFM-1).
• Epidemiological surveillance in hospital settings.

Main Results:

• Clonal spread of P. aeruginosa ST463 was identified in Chinese hospitals between 2020 and 2022.
• The identified strains co-produced KPC-2 and AFM-1 carbapenemases, conferring high-level resistance to carbapenems.
• These multidrug-resistant strains pose a substantial threat due to their potential for rapid dissemination.

Conclusions:

• The emergence and spread of P. aeruginosa ST463 co-producing KPC-2 and AFM-1 highlight the evolving challenge of carbapenem resistance in healthcare settings.
• Stricter infection-control measures and enhanced surveillance are essential to curb the transmission of these high-risk clones.
• Continuous monitoring is necessary to prevent further outbreaks and protect patient populations.