Colonization Dynamics of Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Are Dictated by Microbiota-Cluster Group Behavior over Individual Antibiotic Susceptibility: A Metataxonomic Analysis

Abstract

Gastrointestinal carriage of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria is one of the main risk factors for developing serious, difficult-to-treat infections. Given that there is currently no all-round solution to eliminate colonization with MDR bacteria, it is particularly important to understand the dynamic process of colonization to aid the development of novel decolonization strategies. The aim of our present study was to perform metataxonomic analyses of gut microbiota dynamics during colonization with an extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)- and carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ECKP) strain in mice; additionally, to ascertain the effects of antibiotic administration (ampicillin, ceftazidime, and ciprofloxacin) on the establishment and elimination of ECKP intestinal colonization. We have found that the phyla Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were most dominant in all of the treatment groups; however, Bacteroidetes was more common in the groups treated with antibiotics compared to the control group. Significant differences were observed among the different antibiotic-treated groups in beta but not alpha diversity, implying that the difference is the relative abundance of some bacterial community members. Bacteria from the Lachnospiraceae family (including Agathobacter, Anaerostipes, Lachnoclostridium 11308, Lachnospiraceae UCG-004, Lachnospiraceae NK3A20 group 11318, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group 11319, Roseburia, and Tyzzerella) showed an inverse relationship with the carriage rate of the ECKP strain, whereas members of Enterobacteriaceae and the ECKP strain have shown a correlational relationship. Our results suggest that the composition of the microbial community plays a primary role in the MDR-colonization rate, whereas the antibiotic susceptibility of individual MDR strains affects this process to a lesser extent. Distinct bacterial families have associated into microbial clusters, collecting taxonomically close species to produce survival benefits in the gut. These associations do not develop at random, as they may be attributed to the presence of specific metabolomic networks. A new concept should be introduced in designing future endeavors for MDR decolonization, supplemented by knowledge of the composition of the host bacterial community and the identification of bacterial clusters capable of suppressing or enhancing the invader species.

Writing a strong scientific paper in medicine and the biomedical sciences: a checklist and recommendations for early career researchers

“…This part of manuscript belongs to specialists and researchers; thus, the application of subheadings in a determined and relevant manner will support the readers to follow information in a right order at the earliest. The presentation of the methodologies in a correct and logical order in this section clarifies the direction of the methods used, which can be useful for those who want to replicate these procedures (Haralambides 2018;Juhász et al 2021;Meo 2018). An effective, accurate, comprehensive and sufficient description guarantees the clarity and transparency of the work and satisfies the skeptical reviewers and readers regarding the basis of the research.…”

Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance of ESKAPE Pathogens Over Five Years in an Infectious Diseases Hospital from South-East of Romania

“…5,6 Among MDR germs, "the ESKAPE pathogens" had the biggest impact on health care-associated infections, a group of six germs which have the capacity to elude the biocidal activity of antibiotics: Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] The ESKAPE group is distinguished by pathogenic, transmission and resistance traits, which are represented by enzyme inactivation, target change, cell permeability alteration through porin loss or by increasing the expression of efflux pumps, and mechanical protection through biofilm synthesis. 5,6 The antiseptic activity of antibiotics can sometimes also contribute to disturbances in the skin microbiome of the face, even that which is linked to endosymbiotes; on the other hand, dermatology is a field which frequently makes use of topical glucocorticoids (as in psoriasis) which register many side effects and have the downside of predisposing the skin to possibly severe infections, some with MDR agents.…”

The Epidemiology and Global Burden of Atopic Dermatitis: A Narrative Review

“…The sensitization occurs mainly at the level of the gastrointestinal wall, and is related to the dysfunction of adaptive immunity. The exacerbation of AD by food components occurs when the immune responses were triggered by increased binding of antigens to the immature gut microvilli, thus leading to increased intestinal permeability of antigens into the body [ 38 ]. The microflora in the intestinal tract will act as a strong antigen and exacerbate AD during the consumption of the particular foods and nutrients; hence, causing inflammation [ 39 ].…”