Characteristics and Epidemiology of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae From Red Kangaroo, China

Abstract

Due to its drug resistant nature, β-lactamase represents a serious challenge for public health. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Klebsiella pneumoniae clones are increasingly reported worldwide. Little is known about the prevalence and biological characteristics of drug-resistant strains in zoos. During routine surveillance at the Zhengzhou Zoo of China, we found Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate in healthy Red Kangaroos ( Macropus Rufus ) with severe MDR. The Klebsiella pneumoniae were especially resistant to Cefuroxime Sodium (MIC, > 64 μg/mL), Ceftriaxone (MIC, >8 μg/mL) and Cefepime (MIC, >64 μg/mL), and belonged to ST290. Subsequently, whole genome sequencing (WGS) showed that the Chrome Chr-M297-1 harbored bla DHA–3 , bla SHV–1 , bla CTX–M–14 , fosA5 , dfrA3 , sul3 , etc., and pM297-1.1 [222,864 bp, IncFIB(K)], which carried nine antimicrobial genes including bla CTX–M–14 , bla TEM–191 , aph(3″)-Ib , aph(6)-Id and qnrS1 , etc., and pM297-1.2 [225,763 bp, IncFII(K)] carried 22 antimicrobial genes including bla TEM–1 , bla CTX–M–3 , aph(3′)-Ia , aac(3)-IIa , aac(6′)-Ib-cr , aadA16 , qnrB2 , qnrS1 , qacEΔ1 , mphA , sul1 , and dfrA27 , etc. A traceability analysis then revealed that these two plasmids were highly similar to those recovered from human clinical samples in some southern cities in Sichuan Province, China (>99%), suggesting that these plasmids are spreading in China. Furthermore, two plasmids harboring conjugal transfer genes facilitated the transmission of antimicrobial genes by conjugation with E. coli J53. Our research shows that the transmission and adaptation of Klebsiella pneumoniae producing ESBLs is occurring in zoo environments, suggesting that zoos may be becoming important potential reservoirs for clinically important drug-resistant genes. It is therefore necessary to monitor the emergence and spread of drug-resistant gene strains in captive wild animals held in zoo environments.

One Health or Three? Transmission modelling ofKlebsiellaisolates reveals ecological barriers to transmission between humans, animals and the environment

“…The isolation of the widespread healthcare associated clone ST307 from companion animals, the recovery of highly virulent strains from dogs, and the putative transmission of strains and plasmids between humans and invertebrates in the hospital environment are pertinent examples. Combined with multiple examples from the literature [59][60][61][62][63] , our data therefore underlines the importance of basic hygiene measures, particularly with respect to contact with animals.…”

Multiple-Replicon Resistance Plasmids of Klebsiella Mediate Extensive Dissemination of Antimicrobial Genes

“…Klebsiella sp. isolates were isolated and collected from 2018 to 2020 ( Wang et al, 2020 ) and preserved in the laboratory, from which 56 Klebsiella sp. isolates were selected, including 21 isolates from fresh fecal samples of animals and 35 isolates from human clinical samples ( Supplementary Table 1 ).…”

Changes in Fecal Carriage of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase Producing Enterobacterales in Dutch Veal Calves by Clonal Spread of Klebsiella pneumoniae

“…and IncFIB KN plasmid replicons in four ESBL-K. pneumoniae isolates tested. Previous studies showed the presence of K. pneumoniae isolates harboring bla CTX-M-14 located on IncFIB K and IncFII K obtained from healthy red kangaroos (Wang et al, 2020) and from a clinical isolate in China (Zhang et al, 2017).…”