The threat of carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-HvKP)

Abstract

Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of clinically important opportunistic pathogens responsible for community-acquired and nosocomial infections in immunocompromised individuals. The increasing prevalence of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) poses a serious threat to public health worldwide. With antibiotic resistance, hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (HvKP) responsible for serious disseminated infections in both healthy and immunocompromised individuals has also emerged. Recently, the emergence of carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (CR-HvKP) strains has become a great challenge to public health. In this paper, we discuss the emergence mechanisms of CRHvKP through analyzing features of CR-HvKP strains isolated in China, where both CRKP and HvKP strains are prevalent. These analyses suggest that more extensive surveillance is required to accurately assess the potential threat of the plasmid-mediated convergence of carbapenem-resistance and hypervirulence.

The Molecular Characterization of Nosocomial Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Co-Harboring blaNDM and blaOXA-48 in Jeddah

“…The ability of transmissible plasmid-encoded carbapenemase enzymes (named as K. pneumoniae carbapenemase) among Gram-negative bacilli is now a global health issue that keeps rising [3,4]. Since the carbapenems are very stable and can resist hydroxylation caused by beta-lactamase hydrolysis, these antimicrobials are currently used as the first line of treating severe infections caused by ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae [5][6][7]. However, the overuse of carbapenems has led to the emergence of CRKP and MDR organisms.…”