Genomic analysis of carbapenem- and colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae complex harbouring mcr-8 and mcr-9 from individuals in Thailand

Abstract

The surge in mobile colistin-resistant genes ( mcr ) has become an increasing public health concern, especially in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE). Prospective surveillance was conducted to explore the genomic characteristics of clinical CRE isolates harbouring mcr in 2015–2020. In this study, we aimed to examine the genomic characteristics and phonotypes of mcr-8 and mcr-9 harbouring carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae complex (CRKpnC). Polymerase chain reaction test and genome analysis identified CRKpnC strain AMR20201034 as K. pneumoniae (CRKP) ST147 and strain AMR20200784 as K. quasipneumoniae (CRKQ) ST476, harbouring mcr-8 and mcr-9 , respectively. CRKQ exhibited substitutions in chromosomal-mediated colistin resistance genes ( pmrB, pmrC, ramA, and lpxM ), while CRKP showed two substitutions in crrB , pmrB, pmrC, lpxM and lapB . Both species showed resistance to colistin, with minimal inhibitory concentrations of 8 µg/ml for mcr-8 -carrying CRKP isolate and 32 µg/ml for mcr-9 -carrying CRKQ isolate. In addition, CRKP harbouring mcr-8 carried bla NDM , while CRKQ harbouring mcr-9 carried bla IMP , conferring carbapenem resistance. Analysis of plasmid replicon types carrying mcr-8 and mcr-9 showed FIA-FII (96,575 bp) and FIB-HI1B (287,118 bp), respectively. In contrast with the plasmid carrying the carbapenemase genes, the CRKQ carried bla IMP-14 on an IncC plasmid, while the CRKP harboured bla NDM-1 on an FIB plasmid. This finding provides a comprehensive insight into another mcr -carrying CRE from patients in Thailand. The other antimicrobial-resistant genes in the CRKP were bla CTX-M-15 , bla SHV-11 , bla OXA-1 , aac(6′)-Ib-cr, aph(3′)-VI, ARR-3, qnrS1, oqxA, oqxB, sul1, catB3, fosA, and qacE , while those detected in CRKQ were bla OKP-B-15 , qnrA1, oqxA, oqxB, sul1, fosA, and qacE . This observation highlights the importance of strengthening official active surveillance efforts to detect, control, and prevent mcr -harbouring CRE and the need for rational drug use in all sectors.